The Cole Homestead

Once a year shopping

MAny of you have asked about once a year shopping.  We frist learned of it here on homesteadblooger.  Someone posted a article about a husband and wife that gave it a try after spending way too much on every trip to the store.  That was not really our problem it was more about gas prices, illnesses, and the fact that it takes all day.  It is a 15 minute trip to town.  That is not including getting the children ready, myself ready, making sure we have everything like diapers, drinks, etc.  Where are the coupons, do we need to get gas?  By the time we are ready and done our shoping the kids are straved and fussy and all I want is to go home.  Then we always have to unload and put it all away.  By the time I am done doing all of that I only want to go once a year.

We go to 4 different stores.  Aldi's, Kroger's, Walmart, and Cattle drive.  

At Aldi's I normally get corn muffin mix (108 of them) Blueberry muffin mix (64) Cake mixes (64 each of devils and yellow) butter like product (12) Cran jucie (12) Ruby Red Juice (12) Hamberger helper (40) Honey (8) Lemon juice (12) cranges (48) Minced garlic (6) Veg oil (9) OJ frozen (135) Pineapple (72) Mush rooms (48) Powdered milk (5)

Krogers is where I get 365 packets of Carl budding beef (hubbys breakfast), Fels soap (24) Ham (6) Pork loin roast ( I have these cut and use them like chops or tenderloins (8)) Sugar (50 pounds) Toliet paper (10 Large packs) Vinegar (16 gallons) and washing soda (12)

At Walmart I getBateries, borax (6) Cheese ( all types) Computer paper (4) Crayons (2) Sock, underware for the family, Fabric, glue, gretting cards, totth paste (12) Lamp oil (26) Mustard (4 large pump size) Spic and span (8) Razors (8 packs of 8) New shoes, Toothbrushes, tape, medical tape, Vaseline (8) and Yarn.

Then come the cattle drive run.  This on always takes a bit longer.  This year we are getting from the but next year we are gettinga whole beef from my uncle.  I am picking up 200 pounds of hamburger, 12 pounds bacon, 30 pounds sausage, 100 hotel steaks, 400 minute steaks, 400 round steaks, 40 pounds stew meat, and 40 swiss stecks.

I will shop at the amish store once this year too but they have decided tnot to open during the winter.  It is just too cold and they are really far from any town or even decent road I will get another 100 pounds of flour ( I have 100 pounds right now) Barley, baking soda, canning lids, cocoa, jello, lamp wicks, matches, oatmeal, olive oil, popcorn, salt, spices, brown sugar, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, tender quik, vanilla, and yeast.

Everything else that I need I can grow.  We raise a very large garden and can quite a bit.  We also raise 50 to 100 chickens a year.  We rasie about 1/2 acre of just potaoes, and pan to grow our own corn this year.  Last year we had it brought in then we process them.   Some years the "Jolly Green Gaint" will let you get green beans out of the fields after the machine has gone through.  Same with Pumpkins. 

I will try to post more on storage here in a few days.  It is just about time for the party and there are alway a last minute things to do.

PS If any of you try this please be prepared for the the odd looks, cashiers asking for your  tax ID number and questions from folks trying to figure out if you run a restuarant, day care, large family, church or if you are just nuts.

Untitled Comment

03:44, Saturday, January 12, 2008 .. Posted by homesteadinthemaking

Thank you for posting. I have wanted to do this but just do not know where to start. What about fresh fruit and veggies this time of year?
Blessings,
Trixi

Question

07:55, Saturday, January 12, 2008 .. Posted by Pattisea

How long did you have to save before you did you first trip. I was pondering the once a year shopping and I wondered.

Patti

Untitled Comment

08:26, Saturday, January 12, 2008 .. Posted by maa

We were in walmart the other day and my daughter saw a family buying 10 carts full of stuff. I wonder if they are once a year shoppers.Do you ever have trouble with the store not having enough of what you need to buy?
Last winter I stocked up with three months supply. I liked it and the children liked it. They get tired of having to run to the store. We are homebodies and would be very content with the once a year shopping.
maa's mom

Untitled Comment

07:12, Tuesday, January 15, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

Still totally amazed!! LOL Thanks for stopping by my blog. The marinara sauce is awesome. I have thought about canning some myself this year!!!!

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo