My Very First Pary Moppins Shopping Trip

I have a couple of wonderful local ladies that post shopping scenarios for stores that are relevant to me. 

Pary Moppins
and
Thrifty Texas Penny

Tonight's shopping trip was based off of Pary Moppins' Brookshire's scenario.  She devises a meal plan based solely on that week's sale ad.  She even links up recipes and puts the expected total at the bottom!!  Now, keep in mind that the expected total is what you would spend if you stuck to ONLY what's in the ad and didn't need to purchase anything else on that trip.  Since this was my first go-round, I had to get a few things that normal kitchens keep on hand...some seasonings, produce, etc.  I also needed some of our normal things.  So my total wasn't as low as her expected total, but...I now have a meal plan with recipes for the next 5-6 days.

Here's how I went about this...

I printed her meal plan from her blog.  I sat down with the circular.  Because I'm a visual person, I like to have the ad right there in front of me while making my list.  And that way, if there is something else I need and it's on sale, I'll know.  Now, I have the Brookshire's app for my iPhone, but that isn't necessary.  A good old fashioned paper and pen list will work just fine.  Once I put something on my list, I marked it off of the meal plan.  Then, I figured out what I had for "ingredients" such as spices, produce...that kind of stuff.  Then I added my extras. 

I gathered my few coupons and my daughter and away we went.  She went because she needed the driving time...I'm thinking that next time, I'll go alone.  Even when they are 16, kids are still "interesting" to shop with.  All in all, I was quite pleased with how it worked out.  I have some issues with the app in that the list section isn't set up like the store aisles so that caused me to do some back and forthing that I wasn't fond of.  But that has absolutely NOTHING to do with Ms. Pary or her meal plan.  I sent a message to Brookshire's about the app.  They may or may not be able to do anything about that.  We'll just have to see what the next update has. 

The meal plan and the recipes are hanging on the side of the fridge.  Hubby has been apprised of the game plan as he will be doing most of the cooking.  He's trying very hard to keep the eye rolls to a minimum.  He's such a smart hubby.

I'll be trying Penny's CVS scenario later this week because my little burg doesn't have a CVS so "my" store is about 4 blocks from my office and I was off today.  Yeah...not going anywhere near the office on a holiday.  It's a mental thing.