Fridge/Grocery | Pad Patter 3/12

[jk703]

So... I ordered my groceries yesterday. My oldest son will pick up and put them away. (Don't worry, it will benefit him too! lol) Woo Hoo... It was overdue, we were so in and out that I didn't have a good shop in a couple weeks. So, this one was extra big, and some staples.

But it got me thinking...

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out?
What is a staple for your family?
Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself?


I had to toss some sauces this morning... bleck. But gone now.

We always need to have in our order: Milk, tea, Coffee, creamer, yogurt, apples, oranges, bananas, tortillas, shredded cheese, eggs, taquitos, cereal, meats, some veggies, and some sort of chip/cookie.

Since covid, I switched to online order/pick up. It saves me an hour a week, and I actually spend less since I review my cart before finalizing. I have gotten over my "need" to pick the veggies and fruits... it's been a great experience. If I did get something that wasn't up to my par, I called and they refunded.

 

[tanteva]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out?
- probably more than it should be. There's always some leftovers lurking in there.

What is a staple for your family?
- pasta, egg, milk, yoghurt, veggies, tofu, beans/lentils, meaty things for the carnivore, butter, "knäckebröd", pasta, ketchup, potatoes, cheese. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself?
- Shop myself. I have a hard time trusting hubby to get the right stuff, though he's always with me when I do the shopping (since I don't have a driver's license) and know what brands we prefer. No way, I would let a complete stranger get it right!!!

 

[jk703]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out?
- probably more than it should be. There's always some leftovers lurking in there.

What is a staple for your family?
- pasta, egg, milk, yoghurt, veggies, tofu, beans/lentils, meaty things for the carnivore, butter, "knäckebröd", pasta, ketchup, potatoes, cheese. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself?
- Shop myself. I have a hard time trusting hubby to get the right stuff, though he's always with me when I do the shopping (since I don't have a driver's license) and know what brands we prefer. No way, I would let a complete stranger get it right!!!

Lurking is probably the right word... there is always something that shouldn't lurk in there, haha!

The online ordering is VERY specific. They go around with the list and images. They use a scanner against my list so they match. It's brand/off brand images, and you can opt for substitutions or not. I allow on some items, but then on others (like my creamer - I like it sugar free, but like other versions, so I note that) I tell them my substitutions.

 

[HavaDrPepper]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out? Milk.
What is a staple for your family? Ummm, this is a hard one, I go through phases of what I eat. I guess maybe tomato soup (been eating a lot of it lately) and in the snack area, Lay's Stax Salt & Vinegar chips and Utz Cheese Balls
Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself? Go in person.

In fact I just got home from the grocery. I needed to pick up milk and apple juice so after 2 other errands in the same shopping plaza, I stopped to get milk and walked out with a few other items as well! I actually don't mind going to the grocery since it gets me out of the house and 90% of the time I see something that wasn't on my list that I realized I would like to have. Today it was strawberries that called my name!

My big shopping trip this week to Wal-Mart will be tomorrow. They stock some items the grocery store on my side of town doesn't have. I also need some stuff that is cheaper at Wal-Mart (and a better selection there). I do end up using both stores because there are some items that I can only get at one or the other. During the pandemic I did use the grocery more since it wasn't as crowded. I also go during the mornings when the stores are mostly older, retired people The grocery is convenient when I just need a couple of things, especially milk since it is a mile from my house. Wal-Mart is on the other side of town (about 4 miles) and right now there is a major road construction project that has several of the cross streets closed so everyone is using the same 2 streets to get there.

 

[dawnmarch]

DH takes out the garbage in our house and he is pretty vigilant about throwing out stuff from the fridge. Various bottles of sauce tend to linger in there forever tho.

We always have milk, yogurt, cheese, sauces, sliced bread (yes, we keep it in the fridge), fruit, usually carrots.

During the pandemic, we got into an Instacart habit that we finally broke a few months ago. I love the convenience but it's too expensive! DH does the grocery shopping (I swear I do stuff around here too ) and I keep telling him we can order for pick-up but for some reason, he doesn't want to do that.

 

[jk703]

DH takes out the garbage in our house and he is pretty vigilant about throwing out stuff from the fridge. Various bottles of sauce tend to linger in there forever tho.

We always have milk, yogurt, cheese, sauces, sliced bread (yes, we keep it in the fridge), fruit, usually carrots.

During the pandemic, we got into an Instacart habit that we finally broke a few months ago. I love the convenience but it's too expensive! DH does the grocery shopping (I swear I do stuff around here too ) and I keep telling him we can order for pick-up but for some reason, he doesn't want to do that.

We keep our bread in the fridge too. Lasts longer for us.

I've never done Instacart myself! The sticker price shocks me, lol! I use the regular shopping app for Shoprite, or Stop & Shop (though those stores go by other names depending on where you are... I'm in the northeast.)

 

[michelepixels]

What should be thrown out? There's always something. Often condiments lurk too long. And some leftovers.

My family's staples and mine don't overlap a lot. Where they do would be the veggies: bell peppers, onions, etc. For me, I usually get a tub of tofu most weeks, I always have a grain, changed each time I buy it (currently I'm eating quinoa), I usually have soy milk but only need to buy it every few weeks, and I always have canned beans. Also I keep a variety of seeds and nuts available all the time, as well as flax meal and nutritional yeast. My kids have their favorite cheeses and frozen products they like to have regularly, and my family all still eats meat.

I have still never used online ordering for food. I have used it to buy many other things from a book to a microwave and love the convenience. I just haven't felt any need for it for food yet, and like others have said, I'd rather pick out my own stuff. During the beginning of the pandemic I actually liked going to the grocery store as my ONE outing. I just went at 6:30 a.m. and wore my mask. Wegmans had huge plexiglas barriers between us and the cashiers and floor stickers to keep our carts 6 feet apart.
Then I started working full time and slowly my husband (who works from home since the pandemic) took over the grocery shopping for the family. He says he likes it and I love it not just because of the time savings but also because I no longer want to even touch meat. It has been a challenging transition, with lots of disappointment when he forgot something or didn't get exactly what someone wanted but we have a good system. We have a household Discord server and one of the channels is our family grocery list.

 

[jk703]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out? Milk.
What is a staple for your family? Ummm, this is a hard one, I go through phases of what I eat. I guess maybe tomato soup (been eating a lot of it lately) and in the snack area, Lay's Stax Salt & Vinegar chips and Utz Cheese Balls
Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself? Go in person.

In fact I just got home from the grocery. I needed to pick up milk and apple juice so after 2 other errands in the same shopping plaza, I stopped to get milk and walked out with a few other items as well! I actually don't mind going to the grocery since it gets me out of the house and 90% of the time I see something that wasn't on my list that I realized I would like to have. Today it was strawberries that called my name!

My big shopping trip this week to Wal-Mart will be tomorrow. They stock some items the grocery store on my side of town doesn't have. I also need some stuff that is cheaper at Wal-Mart (and a better selection there). I do end up using both stores because there are some items that I can only get at one or the other. During the pandemic I did use the grocery more since it wasn't as crowded. I also go during the mornings when the stores are mostly older, retired people The grocery is convenient when I just need a couple of things, especially milk since it is a mile from my house. Wal-Mart is on the other side of town (about 4 miles) and right now there is a major road construction project that has several of the cross streets closed so everyone is using the same 2 streets to get there.

I tend to use Costco as my other store, but not always. In spurts since their items last a little longer being we get so much! I have about 9 different bigger grocery stores (with a couple markets in there too) in 8 miles.

That is how I save money ordering... no last minute add ons to my order. It helps me overspend.

 

[jk703]

What should be thrown out? There's always something. Often condiments lurk too long. And some leftovers.

My family's staples and mine don't overlap a lot. Where they do would be the veggies: bell peppers, onions, etc. For me, I usually get a tub of tofu most weeks, I always have a grain, changed each time I buy it (currently I'm eating quinoa), I usually have soy milk but only need to buy it every few weeks, and I always have canned beans. Also I keep a variety of seeds and nuts available all the time, as well as flax meal and nutritional yeast. My kids have their favorite cheeses and frozen products they like to have regularly, and my family all still eats meat.

I have still never used online ordering for food. I have used it to buy many other things from a book to a microwave and love the convenience. I just haven't felt any need for it for food yet, and like others have said, I'd rather pick out my own stuff. During the beginning of the pandemic I actually liked going to the grocery store as my ONE outing. I just went at 6:30 a.m. and wore my mask. Wegmans had huge plexiglas barriers between us and the cashiers and floor stickers to keep our carts 6 feet apart.
Then I started working full time and slowly my husband (who works from home since the pandemic) took over the grocery shopping for the family. He says he likes it and I love it not just because of the time savings but also because I no longer want to even touch meat. It has been a challenging transition, with lots of disappointment when he forgot something or didn't get exactly what someone wanted but we have a good system. We have a household Discord server and one of the channels is our family grocery list.

I never thought I would like online ordering, but here we are! Saves me so much time, and I can start my list over the week, so I don't forget items!

 

[HavaDrPepper]

I tend to use Costco as my other store, but not always. In spurts since their items last a little longer being we get so much! I have about 9 different bigger grocery stores (with a couple markets in there too) in 8 miles.

That is how I save money ordering... no last minute add ons to my order. It helps me overspend.

There is a larger chain grocery about 9 miles from me but if I want any other chain grocery stores, I'd have to go about 20 miles. So I stick to Wal-Mart and the grocery store that is part of a small, local chain. I know Wal-Mart has the app to shop but I didn't think the other store does so I checked the website. Apparently, you can order from the website. They do have a program that if you sign up, you can get lower prices on items during special times. I did sign up for that.

As I said in another thread about self-checkout recently, the grocery store doesn't even have it! Full-service checkout and once this winter when I was in there, the clerk realized I wasn't feeling great post surgery so she asked for someone to take my groceries to my car for me. It was very much appreciated! And, on Tuesdays, I get a senior discount

 

[umyesh]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out?
Funny that you ask, because my daughter keeps telling me to throw things away lol I threw away some green sauce recently.

What is a staple for your family?
milk and apples

Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself?
Pick up. I hate going in the store now lol

 

[scrapsandsass]

I've been getting a few things delivered. I hate to go out. But I do go to Costco if I can't get my husband to go.

Today I actually got a grocery delivery and most of it was spices. My daughter and I went through our spice cabinet and got rid of the old stuff (some expired in 2019... LOL). We got new spice jars, and I filled them all up and got that straightened out. Whew. One small organizational step... a million more to go.

 

[janedee]

I'm sure there are a few condiments/sauces that I should check in my fridge.
Milk, eggs, cheese, bread, bananas and other fruit, tea, coffee, yogurt, some mix of veggies, pasta.
Since the pandemic, I order my groceries online about half of the time. Its definitely a time saver for me, but I still like to go to the store at times.

 

[Karen]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out? There is some leftover lasagna that I think I made over a week ago that needs to go! There also always random things like half an onion that get pushed to the back and I don't notice how long they've been in there until it's been way too long!

What is a staple for your family? Milk for the cereal eaters, shredded cheese, diet coke for me, tea for my son, and then ingredients for whatever meals I'm making for the week.

Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself? I still go get groceries myself. I have never tried the delivery or pick up options. I love that your son goes and gets them AND put them away! It seems like sometimes it takes me just as long to put everything away as it does to shop!

 

[StefanieS]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out? I got two jars of olives that have expired and they look ok, but why risk it?
What is a staple for your family? Bread, milk, cheese, chicken, mince, beef, tomatoes, fruit, green veggies
Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself? Even though we could get deliveries I like to go in myself, I choose what looks good and always reach towards the back of the shelves and fridges for the longest dated best before goods.

 

[jk703]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out? There is some leftover lasagna that I think I made over a week ago that needs to go! There also always random things like half an onion that get pushed to the back and I don't notice how long they've been in there until it's been way too long!

What is a staple for your family? Milk for the cereal eaters, shredded cheese, diet coke for me, tea for my son, and then ingredients for whatever meals I'm making for the week.

Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself? I still go get groceries myself. I have never tried the delivery or pick up options. I love that your son goes and gets them AND put them away! It seems like sometimes it takes me just as long to put everything away as it does to shop!

I get to take advantage a bit right now... he's home for Spring Break and wants money from me!
I found an onion yesterday after I rearranged a few things. Tossed that!

 

[jk703]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out? I got two jars of olives that have expired and they look ok, but why risk it?
What is a staple for your family? Bread, milk, cheese, chicken, mince, beef, tomatoes, fruit, green veggies
Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself? Even though we could get deliveries I like to go in myself, I choose what looks good and always reach towards the back of the shelves and fridges for the longest dated best before goods.

Most things here are good beyond their good until dates here... but many don't realize that. I bet those Olives are good for a long while yet. I think they are good for another year after actual expiration. (At least here).

We go through things too fast a lot of the time too so I don't get concerned with items in back or front. I have left a note in my order for a later expiration for milk.

What would mince be? When I google, it says ground food... is it mostly meat?

 

[Memaw2Wm]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out?
Eggs ... I think they've been in there since Christmas. I need to buy a new container and toss the other out.

What is a staple for your family?
Pepsi!!! Eggs, milk, bread. I do very little cooking any more b/c my 18 y.o. grandson and my daughter basically only want to eat fast food ... McDonald's or subs/pizza from our neighborhood restaurant or junk food. Grandson spends $$$ on DoorDash b/c he doesn't have a driver's license or car.

Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself?
I've never ordered for delivery, I prefer to shop myself.

 

[KayTeaPea]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out?
I actually have my fridge pretty cleaned out-- as the freezer in the fridge stopped working in January and we have been dealing with GE to get it fixed as the fridge is still under manufacturer's warrenty. So, we lost almost everything in the inside freezer, but we also have both a full-size fridge/freezer as well as a standing deep freezer in the garage. So, I moved the walnuts and pecans to the outside fridge and got rid of all the frozen vegetables, frozen fruit and breakfast foods as that was what we had in the inside freezer. We keep all our meat (which we usually buy at Costco) in the deep freezer and the garage fridge freezer had lunch meals (like Lean Cuisine) and some ice cream/dessert stuff. I also had to clean out the drawer in our fridge- it can be either kept at freezing temp or at fridge temp, but it lost temp control with the freezer, so we had to get rid of lunch meats and cheeses, feta and goat cheese, pico de gallo/guacamole/hummus and some tortillas/flatbreads.

What is a staple for your family? We have to have salad stuff- both lettuce/tomatoes/fresh vegetables for salad as well as prepared salad kits for lunches; deli meat/deli cheese- my youngest takes her lunch to work 3 days a week so we get that weekly as deli meat doesn't stay good long. I always keep rotisserie chicken (white meat pulled off of the bone) from Costco, chicken breast, ground beef, different types of fish and some frozen pizzas in the deep freezer in the garage. Youngest daughter is the only one who drinks milk, so we get a half gallon every week-and-a-half or so. ETA-- I forgot my biggest thing- I have to have Coke Zero in the 16 oz bottles- I can't stand drinking out of a can plus our cat has and will knock over any open drink left out, so I use the bottles so I can tighten the lid back on when I am not actively drinking a Coke Zero. So, I get about 4 6-packs of Coke Zero every 2 weeks. I recycle these bottles. I have to use a (reusable) water bottle and just refill it for the same kitty reasons.


Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself? We do a mix of all three- I shop in person at Costco every couple of weeks (it is across town, maybe 15 miles away), I order online and pick up from Target or Walmart probably twice a week (sometimes I will get this stuff delivered if they don't have it in stock locally) and I always go to Publix (across the street from our neighborhood) for the deli stuff once a week. I will place the deli order in their app, but I have to go in to pick it up and pay for it-- if I purchase it in the app there is a surcharge.

 

[littlekiwi]

What is in your fridge, that should probably be thrown out?
Not sure to be honest.....possibly the last bit of a cheese block - it's fine for melting and cooking with just not great to eat as is

What is a staple for your family?
Eggs, potatoes, sweet potatoes or pumpkin, baby spinach or Swiss chard/silver beet, ham or bacon, cheese, rice crackers and a slaw or salad mix

Do you order online for delivery, pick up or go shop yourself?
Go shop myself (or my mum does). To be quite honest we prefer doing it ourselves - we buy a lot of things on clearance or reduced prices that aren't available by online ordering and we cherry pick the best deals between three grocery store chains, a fruit/vege shop, bulk foods store and a speciality reduced to clear store on occasion. By doing this it helps offset the extra cost of having to buy some speciality gluten and lactose free products. The only time I've ever done online ordering and grocery delivery was when I was on my own and my mum was recovering from heart surgery. The initial plan was I'd go out and do shopping as per normal but I came down with really bad vertigo and with no immediate support if things went wrong (eg falling up or down exterior stairs at home or worse falling when I was out) I thought I had better be safe and get delivery - luckily I only needed to do that for a few weeks.