Our Best Shopping Lists

Wether we’re shopping for three, five or eight we’ve all got our favorites from the grocery store, CostCo, Trader Joe’s and Amazon. Ever wonder what we can’t live without from each of those stores? (No? Pretend you did, just for this post, ok?) In the lists below, we’re sharing our “must-buys” from CostCo, Trader Joe’s and Amazon. Some of these items are because it’s the best deal, some are a matter of taste and a few are pure convenience – so always shop around to be sure our suggestions fit into your budget and are the best deal you can find.

 

1. frozen chicken breasts

2. eggs

3. 5 lb block of cheese

4. milk

5. bread

6. potatoes (especially the ‘specialty’ potatoes like red and fingerling)

7. boxed salad/spinach

8. laundry and dish soap

9. individually packaged snacks

10. frozen lasagna

 

Many times, Costco (and Sam’s/etc, too) can beat the regional grocery store chains’ prices but only if it makes sense for your family. Many of the bulk buys can be frozen or have a long shelf life – but if it doesn’t make sense to buy 2 gallons of milk at a time for your family, then don’t! Our local grocery store also has crazy deals on chicken every now and then – so we’d pick it up there, instead. Costco is also one of our favorite places to splurge a little. We’ve been known to walk out with: books, flowers, party platers, rotisserie chickens, chicken pot pies, big boxes of croissants and chicken salad.

 

1. frozen pastry

2. chocolate and vanilla macaron

3. orange chicken

4. cookie butter

5. Jojos (especially the seasonal flavors)

6. mushroom flatbread

7. live basil plants

8. hummus

9. ravioli

10. pound+ chocolate bar

I can’t be the only one who gets so overwhelmed in Trader Joe’s that I leave with nothing, right? If you have the opportunity to regularly OR just occasionally shop at a TJ’s, these are our go-to treats we can’t leave without. I’ve also heard that their gluten free selection of treats and goodies is remarkable large (someone correct me if I’m mistaken – I’ve not spent any time looking for GF items there). I tend not to buy produce or regular staples at TJ’s because my local grocery store prices theirs so well but when I need something out of the box, TJ’s is where I like to go!

1. diapers

2. wipes

3. pet food

4. toilet paper

5. paper towels

6. gogo squeeze snacks

7. magazine subscriptions

If it takes up a lot of room in my car or shopping cart or I use it often, you can bet it’s on my Amazon subscription list. I love having the 40 lb bag of dog food delivered once a month and paper towels magically appear at my door step! Super tip: If you use the subscription service, and the item you’re buying goes on sale, cancel your subscription and then resubscribe at the sale price! Also, magazine subscriptions are almost always less via Amazon than any other source we’ve found.

 

Two notes: 1. These are combined lists from all three of us/our families and reflect their  various needs. You should make adjustments for you and your family’s needs. 2. Although we participate in the Amazon affiliate program to help cover the operating costs of Handmade Mood, this is NOT a sponsored post. We only talk about the things we really use and share.