ProfHacker leans towards how to achieve better living through embracing the digital, but our emphasis is “better living” and not necessarily “embracing the digital.” And so we also aim to provide common-sense tips on getting things done more efficiently–through whatever method–so that you can get on with spending most of your time on what’s really important to you. Now, shopping can be therapeutic if you’re on the hunt for nice clothes or a present to take to a friend’s birthday party. However, I don’t know many people who relish the thought of going to the grocery store to stock the pantry, especially once the semester is in full swing with class prep, piles of grading, committee meetings, writing deadlines, and conference preparations eating away at your available time. Do your future, buried-under-semester-work self a favor by taking a few simple steps right now.
Last January, I tried something for the first time and have been quite pleased with the results. I bought enough non-perishables to get me through the entire semester without having to go back to the grocery store:
Why stop there? I thought. So I bought enough toiletries, too:
Granted, fresh dairy and fruits and veggies and meats are also important, so I do make a weekly trip to the store–or the farmers’ market–for those items, but such trips take much less time than they would if I needed everything else, too.
Stocking the cabinets in this way was not cheap, but because I bought in bulk at a big-box discount store, I saved money compared to buying smaller quantities more regularly over the course of the semester. I’ve also been very happy with the savings in time and hassle provided by this strategy.
Does this sound like something you’d try? Or do you already stock the kitchen and bathroom cabinets in this way?
[From flickr user ghwpix. Creative-Commons licensed]
Comments
1. Billie - August 17, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Preparing for the semester in this manner is such a good idea! The savings in time and hassle can mean a lot.
As you noted, buying in bulk (at the superstores like Sam's or Costco) can be expensive, but you do save money in the long run. I tend to buy toilet paper, paper towels, deodorant and like items in bulk (esp. when they are on sale), so I don't ever run out, but I'd not thought about pantry items. I will do this, too.
One thing I'd like to add: several years ago, I started a "once a month cooking" strategy. I could spend a weekend making lasagna, quiche, roast, soups, stews, etc., then I'd freeze food items in individual containers. If, during the course of a month or two (and the food items lasted longer than a single month) I didn't have time to cook, we always had something for dinner. I'd microwave the frozen foods, make a salad or vegetable, then I'd be done. Easy.
Secondly, I learned early on that a crockpot could be my best friend. And it still is.
2. Drew - August 17, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Interested in the sheer quantity of stuff you went through? Sounds pretty extreme, but yeah, I buy 24 packs of TP and I used to keep my mini-fridge stocked with cases and cases of beverages.
Interesting to see how diverse profhacker articles are.
D
3. George H. Williams - August 17, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I've heard others praise crockpots, Billie, and I'd appreciate any links to online resources with recipes for and advantages of cooking with a crockpot.
4. George H. Williams - August 17, 2009 at 01:50 pm
I go through some things faster than others, as one might expect, so I imagine I'll tweak the system as I go forward.
...and though this post is not one discussing digital tools or methods, in the back of my mind a post is being planned covering online resources (and desktop tools) for managing your grocery shopping and your recipes.
Stay tuned!
5. Matt - August 17, 2009 at 04:56 pm
This is an excellent approach, assuming you have the space. For example, while I would love to be saving money by purchasing larger cuts of meat, I don't have a larger-capacity freezer, due to a lack of space in my apartment. For those living in dorm rooms, bulk buying could be a bit tricky.
6. George H. Williams - August 17, 2009 at 05:16 pm
Yes, space is certainly an issue, Matt. And I don't recommend anyone buying big chunks of meat; unless they live in a large and carnivorous household, the meat could very well go bad--even in the freezer--before it's consumed.
For the most part, this method works best with non-perishable items.
Note also that the goal is not necessarily to save money but to save time: the more non-perishables purchased in one trip, the less time spent on multiple trips to the grocery store over the course of a semester.
7. Tona - August 17, 2009 at 05:43 pm
Re: our friend the crockpot - you're not the only blog thinking about this as back to school looms. One I like is here, with a discussion of how to hack meal planning here.
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