If we have time, we do plan a week’s worth of meals and write down a full list of what we’ll need. But if all we have time for is a quick trip to the store, at least crucial stuff (e.g. toilet paper, coffee) doesn’t get forgotten.

Just had to defend clotheslines.;)

A Tentative Money Blog: Sorry that the tastes of those frozen dinners don’t agree with you. They must taste decent enough for many or they’d be out of business. The Michelina’s Lean Gourmet (MLG) is pretty healthy – far above the foods that most Americans choose. Eating to me is seems to be a balance of taste, time to prepare, cost, and health. MLG fits in a sweet spot of all four of those for me while the Simple Dollar’s plan stretches the “time to prepare” axis. It’s just my opinion, as always find what works for you.

Kevin, you are right about the bargains that are not. We occasionally have taco night, but when you utilize a freezer, it doesn’t have to get expensive. We get ground beef (or turkey) when its on sale and freeze it. Frozen onions are a staple that always have around. We also have shredded cheese at all time in the freezer. You can break off a piece and thaw as needed – it seems to last forever. Salsa has a long shelf life when it’s not opened and as one of the healthiest foods, we stock up when we can. Salsa replaces tomato in our taco night, so we really are looking at just sour cream and lettuce that are full price.

1) The big discount that isn’t. $2 off an $8 frozen pizza is still a frozen pizza for SIX DOLLARS. Some prices are just so inflated for what you get that even a deep discount doesn’t make it a good purchase.

2) The cheap item that goes with the expensive one: Taco Shells! 50% off! Cool! Taco night: now I just need some meat, some cheese, an onion, tomato, lettuce, salsa, sour cream… all of which (how odd!) cost a premium that week.

My wife and I actually tend to pair up. This has worked REALLY well for us. She keeps a list while I troll the aisles for value purchases.