How Often Do You Grocery Shop?

[Miss Chicken]

I used to do a big online shop once a fortnight at Coles (Australian supermarket chain). However recently they have bought in Delivery Plus meaning I can get as many deliveries as I like for $19 a month (minimum buy $100) so I have changed to 3 buys a month. We do top up buys occasionally.

For years I have been a bit of a stockpiler. This started when I had three children to look after during the school holidays and I hated taking all three of them on the bus with me to do a shop. So I tried to stock up on things in the weeks leading up to the school holidays so I could shop less often when the holidays came.

When I was doing temp work I used to stock up on things like shampoo, soap, washing detergent, toothpaste, first aid products etc so that I would not have to buy these things while I was in between jobs.

When I went on to the disability pension I start buying things that were on sale (especially 2 for 1 sales) as well as the cheaper, regular staples such as pasta, couscous, rice etc. I also kept up with buying shampoos, toothpaste etc as well as plenty of paracetamol.

So when this pandemic reared it ugly head I was in a better position that most people because already had enough of the products that have been in high demand.

It is a good thing because Coles has suspended online sales for the time being. When they start back up they are going to give priority to the elderly, the disabled and other vulnerable people. This means I should be able to start back up then.

 

[RandyS]

Under normal circumstances, twice a month, or once every two weeks.

Under present circumstances, I don't know yet. I imagine it will change week to week for a while.

I have three grocery stores in my immediate area, and last week, on run day I had to visit all three in order to get my complete list. I have no idea how much longer that will last, or if it will at all. Plus, since I can't drive, there's only so much I can get by myself in my wheelchair, so I have to rely on either my girlfriend, or another friend to drive me, both of which are limited in their time due to work, so that's an added complication. My girlfriend works at Walmart and that's where most of our groceries come from so she can (usually) get stuff while at work so that helps some. Last week on my three visits day, I had to get toilet paper from one of the other places since she called me and told me that our Walmart had been cleaned out. A fact I saw for myself when I was there getting other stuff the other two places didn't have.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Whenever I run out of gin.

 

[Marynator]

I ran out last night for a box of wine ... does that count as grocery shopping?

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I normally go once a week. Sometimes twice if I’m running low by the weekend and don’t have time for a full trip.

Isn’t it mostly people who do their own cooking from scratch who do more?

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Weekly or once every two weeks.

 

[MacLeod]

I work in a grocery store so I can top-up when I need to, but at the moment it's a nightmare a lot of products are under limitations as to the number each customer can buy to try and ensure as many people as possible get something. The majority have been understanding a few not so much, with the attitude "I'll go elsewhere" rather than take what they are limited to. My thoughts about that are "Good luck with that" as speaking to other customers our competitors are just as bad if not worse than us for stock on lines. Wouldn't it not be prudent to take what you can rather than risk going somewhere else and potentially get nothing.

If people had been sensible there would have been more than enough to go around.

 

[KimMH]

I work in a grocery store so I can top-up when I need to, but at the moment it's a nightmare a lot of products are under limitations as to the number each customer can buy to try and ensure as many people as possible get something. The majority have been understanding a few not so much, with the attitude "I'll go elsewhere" rather than take what they are limited to. My thoughts about that are "Good luck with that" as speaking to other customers our competitors are just as bad if not worse than us for stock on lines. Wouldn't it not be prudent to take what you can rather than risk going somewhere else and potentially get nothing.

If people had been sensible there would have been more than enough to go around.

Since grocery workers are on the front line I think you should have first access; especially the high demand items.

 

[Mrs. Silvercrest]

once a week. Would go less but have my mom to shop for as well.

 

[bigdaddy]

I bought enough food for about two months. But now I'll probably run out of food right in the middle of the surge.

I do like how everyone goes 'don't hoard food' yet no one wants to go out to the store and risk their familiies' lives so they of course stock up more.

It's been about three weeks. I went on a Wednesday and everything seemed like the virus was no big deal, but then on Friday everyone started eating toilet paper. I think that was only three weeks ago.