You know that feeling when you get a great deal? It’s a rush, but if you’re anything like me sometimes the feeling of getting a great deal overrides an important question: do I need this?
This is not to say we shouldn’t buy things that bring us joy, or that we should only be buying the bare necessities, but when you start to spend with intention you will know how to find the best deals for things you need, and you’ll also be able to buy things that bring you joy with more awareness. You’ll save on the things your family needs so that you have more to spend on the things you love. You’ll invest in things that will last, and in things that will save you money over time.
Grocery Shopping With Intention
When you shop for groceries, do you shop with a list? Maybe you pick out some recipes and plan for the week, shopping for everything you need to make those meals. This is a great approach, but if you really want to step up your savings game we’re going to turn your shopping trip on its head. Start with the flyers (or better yet, use the Flipp App). Look for loss leaders –something so discounted the stores are going to lose money on it—and that’s what you’ll plan your meals around this week. Start collecting coupons so you can pay even less.
After a while you’ll start noticing the sales cycles; you’ll discover that there are certain things that repeatedly and consistently go on sale. You’ll start to notice that those loss leaders are worth tracking, and that if you buy a few at a time you’ll have enough to last until the next time. You’ll start to see that it doesn’t make sense to ever pay $8/lb for chicken when you can reliably get it for $2/lb on sale every few weeks.
Buy Once, Benefit for a Lifetime
Spending with intention is about saving at the point of purchase, and it’s also about investing in tools that will save you time, money, and space over time. Invest in tools and containers that enable you to store your food for longer, and they will save you money in the long run.
- Chest freezer and high quality freezer storage containers
- Airtight pantry storage conainers for dry goods
- Containers that keep your produce fresher for longer
- Steam Canner and/or Pressure Canner
- Freeze Dryer (properly freeze dried food can be stored for 25+ years!)
When you have the ability to store food for longer you can take advantage of sales, buying food in bulk, and growing your own food.
Spending with intention means both saving in the moment and also thinking about the long-term big picture. Buy what you need now, and invest in things that will last a lifetime.
