toddcarruth.com

Joss Whedon, the guy from Buffy and Firefly, had some time on his hands and put together a cheap yet cool little internet-only musical.  Check it out if you dare!

I don’t think of myself as the stereotypical male because I enjoy shopping (sometimes) and I enjoy cooking (when I have the time).  Um, I also like beer. And women.  But with a twist of lime. Oh, and the beer can have lime too.

Anyway, I came across this list of how to make the most of your grocery shopping adventure from the Consumerist who ganked it from the Guardian and I have added some personal notes to it.

1. Make A List! Shopping lists top every saving strategy we offer, and for good reason. Lists make for routine, disciplined shopping. -I make a list but then I still buy stuff that I forgot to put on the list.
2. Don’t Fear An Empty Fridge: Food grows mold, not interest. An empty fridge is a strong sign that your buying matches your consumption. - I actually tend to have a fairly empty fridge. Except for the leftover tuna that is now challenging the the chipotle hot sauce to a duel.
3. Approach Deals Skeptically: Just because an item screams “Two for One!” doesn’t mean that you need two. Make sure the item is something that you’ll use, and something that won’t expire quickly. - Great tip here. I’ve trained my self to look at the price per ounce before I buy a “deal.”
4. Avoid Supermarkets For Perishables: Buy your vegetables, meats, and fish at local establishments. You’ll spend less per visit, while honing your comparison shopping skills. In our neighborhood, the Korean vegetable stand is usually 30% cheaper than the supermarket around the corner. - Um, yeah. I think I’ll save my gas and just look for the freshest veggies I can find.
5. Buy Non-Perishables In Bulk: If you can store them, buy your pasta and rice in bulk. Just don’t try to buy more than one bag at a time. - I go to SAMS once a month and buy dog food, bacon, paper towels, toilet paper and contact solution.  Strangely enough, those are the same items that I plan on taking with me to a deserted island.
6. Buy Quality Products: Somewhat counterintuitive for those who focus exclusively on the bottom line, but if you pay more for a high-quality ingredient, you’re less likely to let it go to waste. - This can be tricky. Generic peanut butter is pretty much the same as Jif or Peter Pan but some products aren’t as good and you have to just learn from experience.
7. Grow Your Own Herbs And Salad: Herbs and salad expire quickly in the fridge. If you have the space, grow your own and save.- I tried growing some mint and cilantro earlier this summer. I got them confused and my burrito tasted like toothpaste.
8. Buy Whole Vegetables: Bagged lettuce? Washed carrots? Like any vegetable, they start to decompose as soon as they’re processed. - Another convenience versus practicality issue. Have you tried the bagged Salsa Salad mix?  It’s freakin awesome!
9. Be Storage Savvy: Keep your food fresh with proper storage. If you’re a fresh fruit lover, invest in an ethylene gas guardian to stave off spoilage. - A what? How about some generic Tupperware? I have some extra tops if anybody has any bowls.
10. Plan Your Meals: Planning is a key part of list building, and one of the best ways to prevent abandoned foodstuffs from clogging up your fridge. - I do try to think about what I am making for dinner this week.  Somehow frozen pizza always ends up on the list.
11. Cook! Don’t just follow recipes. Real cooks now how to whip that extra bit of coconut milk or leftover celery into a tasty meal. - What can I make from fuzzy 20 day filet mignon and black peaches? I know: Trash!
12. Cook In Bulk: Since you’re already at the stove, double the recipe and save the leftovers. - Actually, a pretty good idea. Whenever I grill I usually throw on an extra chicken.  And then slice it up for use in a salad.  I know, not that funny, but it’s the truth.

There are a few more items on the list but a lot of it is common sense, like taking your lunch to work instead of blowing $5 on a burger.

Or you can can do what I do and go out to eat with a collegue and pretend you forgot your wallet.