How to Grocery Shop a Month in Advance

Determine how much money is needed for groceries and stay within your budget. This is especially important when you commit to shopping for an entire month. Gauge your expenditures on what you have spent in the past, but don't be surprised if your planned meals end up costing less.

Create detailed menus for all the meals you will be eating at home and for lunch boxes, snacks and staples. Get the family involved in decision making. The menus you choose will depend on budget, preferences, dietary needs and convenience.

Estimate the amount of space you'll need to store all the foods you buy a month in advance. When you plan and buy this much food, you'll need pantry, refrigerator and freezer space. A month's worth of groceries takes up a lot of space, so be sure that you can accommodate what you buy.

Make a detailed grocery list from your menus, including all the items you will need for each recipe. Don't forget to include extras, such as condiments, herbs and spices. Arrange your list according to the store layout to avoid crisscrossing aisles to find all your items.

Shop at discount warehouses for bulk purchases. Items with long shelf lives such as pasta and canned vegetables are cheaper when bought in bulk, but plan their use efficiently.They won't be a bargain if you don't have a plan for using them.

Collect and redeem coupons that you find in Sunday newspapers, mailed circulars, grocery store websites and manufacturers' websites. They'll save you money and give you new ideas for meals. Plan your monthly shopping excursion around a double-coupon day for extra savings.

Consider what to do about perishables, such as milk, salad items and other fresh vegetables. Learn ways to preserve and store these items to keep them fresh longer. Some people freeze milk while others make use of powdered milk. Buying fresh foods is necessary and inevitable, but make a commitment not to go off-menu and make impulse purchases when you do this.