Comments on: Grocery Spending/Menu Plan | Plastic vs. Cloth Edition

By: Sharon Lea

Sharon Lea — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:21:42 +0000

It’s taken this ole’ Nana quite a while to get used to remembering the bags – so here’s what finally did the trick. I keep two or three tucked under the right floor mat withthe handles in sight. Somehow that finally got it through my thick skull to remember the things. I truly feel virtuous carrying them in my hand like a good little girl. Love your work. I really enjoy the entries and am snacking on cheap homemade yogurt as I write this. It is truly amazingly delicious. Blessings, Sharon Lea

By: Samantha

Samantha — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:04:24 +0000

I’m so glad that you use reusable bags too. It’s reassuring that there are other frugal moms out there who take the time to use them. I feel guilty if I ever forget them. I’m reading a book called “No Impact Man”, have you heard of him? He’s trying to live one year without waste. It’s pretty good. He also talks about reusable bags. I have a video from YouTube on my blog about him. Check it out.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:19:12 +0000

I am new reader, joined after you were on TV last week. Great Job! Wondered about how much of your shopping is done at Aldi vs. Weis? And which one do you go to first? I went to Aldi yesterday and really liked the price of their produce but they didn’t carry everything I needed for the week, so I ended up going to Harris Teeter because I don’t enjoy Walmart especially on Saturdays.

By: WilliamB

WilliamB — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:00:20 +0000

That’s a really interesting point, Franci; hadn’t thought of that before. You make a good argument for using sturdy cotton bags or something else that’s long lasting and recyclable.

If not, them if your bags are cloth, they could become rags or composted. If they’re plasticy, then they may be recycled plastic already – at least they often are in the US. If that’s the case then you’ve saved the world the need to make 5-10 years’ worth of plastic bags for one household, which isn’t perfect but is an advance over what would have happened otherwise.

Thought of another use: to stuff things, like draft dodgers or stuffed animals.

By: Franci

Franci — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:09:44 +0000

I also use reusable bags. But I have a concern about them. They obviously can be reused many, many times, but eventually they also will get holes/break past the point of fixing or sewing them back up and I hate to think how many of them will be filling landfills in 5 – 10 years’ time. The upside of using plastic bags is that they are recyclable (at least they are here in New Zealand)

By: Katie Roberts

Katie Roberts — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:57:30 +0000

Kristen,
I love your blog, read it daily, and often recommend it to family and friends. I’m especially curious about your Sunday menus…they always seem quite light (this week just breakfast?). Do you eat Sunday dinner out? with family? fast?

By: hiptobeme

hiptobeme — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:35:30 +0000

I work with special needs people and every week I bring my bags and we make it into “plarn”! The red bags from zellers are the best for this. I still try to use my cloth, of course, but if I forget, at least I re-purpose the bags. this makes me feel slightly less guilty

By: Kristen

Kristen — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:19:23 +0000

Oh my goodness, Laurie! You’re totally right…I never included my shopping totals. Duh.

I’ll try to correct that tomorrow. lol

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:16:41 +0000

I use my plastic grocery bags to line my bathroom garbage cans – perfect size. I am only recently using cloth bags to do my shopping. Can’t seem to get the hang of it though. I keep forgeting them in the car. I’ve decided to put my notebook/list in the master bag so that won’t happen anymore.

Correct me if I totally missed this in the post, but what did you spend this week?

It occurs to me that since I’ve been limiting my spending to 80-100, that I’m getting down to the nitty gritty in the house. (I’ve been somewhat relying on previous overstock from week to week) In fact, the cupboards will be pretty bare come Thursday. How do I feel adequately stocked with out going over budget? Until I started reading frugal girl, my mind set was always by ahead or stock up.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:27:17 +0000

I keep all my tote bags in the trunk of the car so they are always with me. To solve the problem I had with going into a non grocery store without one, I now put my purse in the trunk of the car, so when I get to a store I have to pop the trunk to get my purse and Hey, there are my bags! Works like a charm. I have also taken to using the plastic bags that some groceries come in, like cereal or diapers, instead of those used to bag my groceries. They are just as handy for doggie doo, cat clumps or smellie diapers.

I also use mesh bags designed for delicates to be washed in for my fresh produce. THey zip and are plenty big. I found them for 50 cents each and have about a dozen. At first people where like “what it that” but now I see lots of other people doing the same thing.