Making $ teaching grocery shopping- weird

[asauer]

My town has a very active female discussion board.  Today a question was asked about grocery budgets.  I posted mine along with how many ppl are in my house.  I received 15 messages in FIVE minutes asking how. I do it.  Of course, I told them all the stuff I learned on here along with the link to several articles.  Then I got 25 private messages with serious requests to teach a CLASS on this stuff!  What?!  I mean, I'll do it but it seems weird to teach a class on grocery shopping.

[use2betrix]

That's awesome! I'd do it and enjoy it!

Personally, I'd be more interested in teaching a class on grocery shopping AND nutrition. I've been helping people out with diets for years and for the most part it's something I thoroughly enjoy. I do it for free though, have even helped some members here through PM's. It's just annoying often anymore because everyone thinks they're capable of giving diet and fitness advice, even if they're grossly overweight or out of shape.

[expatartist]

This author started out by posting frugal recipes with prices, essentially teaching people to shop who were trying to feed their families on less http://cookingonabootstrap.com/

Now she has several books out and is doing quite well. Never know where the grocery store shopping class could lead you ;)

[LovesToTravel]

Not sure what part of NC you are in, but there is a lady in the Raleigh area that regularly does classes on cutting your grocery bill.  I've never been to one, but apparently they're pretty popular.  http://www.smartspendingresources.com/class_schedule

[PhysicianOnFIRE]

Seriously???  If you don't have the common sense to figure it out on your own, I'm not sure how a class is going to help you.

[forumname123]

This author started out by posting frugal recipes with prices, essentially teaching people to shop who were trying to feed their families on less http://cookingonabootstrap.com/

Now she has several books out and is doing quite well. Never know where the grocery store shopping class could lead you ;)

budgetbytes.com kicks the **** out of that website. Not the topic at hand, but still.

[Eric]

Hello class.  Let's begin.

Buy things on sale, in season.  Eat more fruits and veggies and cut down on meat.  Learn to make soup.  Eat more rice.  Stop buying processed crap.

Good night.  Don't forget to drop a tip in the jar on the way out.

[Noodle]

I don't think it's that weird, or that the people asking for help are stupid. People come on these forums all the time asking for help with their grocery budgets and the responses run to dozens of replies. Some people just feel more comfortable having a teacher organize information for them, especially if it's an area where they don't feel very confident. A surprising number of people hate grocery shopping, or they end up buying the same limited list every week, because it's too overwhelming figuring out the best things to buy from a giant store full of ingredients. Then add the extra challenge of trying to get the most out of your money, especially if you have a family with a lot of different preferences...no wonder people ask for a class...

[nobodyspecial]

Hello class.  Let's begin.

Buy things on sale, in season.  Eat more fruits and veggies and cut down on meat.  Learn to make soup.  Eat more rice.  Stop buying processed crap.

For the post-grad course:
Check price/100g (or price/oz if you live in medieval times).
Understand that buy one get one half price is only a 25% discount
Know the price of staples so you can spot when they are really on sale

[expatartist]

This author started out by posting frugal recipes with prices, essentially teaching people to shop who were trying to feed their families on less http://cookingonabootstrap.com/

Now she has several books out and is doing quite well. Never know where the grocery store shopping class could lead you ;)

budgetbytes.com kicks the **** out of that website. Not the topic at hand, but still.

Agreed, BB has better recipes, if a bit less personality behind it.

Jack Monroe started out as a single mom on welfare http://cookingonabootstrap.com/2012/07/30/hunger-hurts/ and posts v specific prices of how much things cost that week in major UK chains. The blog started out as a 'teach yourself how to grocery shop and cook' for a specific market. This is a UK blog so not relevant to the US, but could be applicable to the OP as an example of how she could grow a course to something larger.

[calimom]

I don't think it's that weird, or that the people asking for help are stupid. People come on these forums all the time asking for help with their grocery budgets and the responses run to dozens of replies. Some people just feel more comfortable having a teacher organize information for them, especially if it's an area where they don't feel very confident. A surprising number of people hate grocery shopping, or they end up buying the same limited list every week, because it's too overwhelming figuring out the best things to buy from a giant store full of ingredients. Then add the extra challenge of trying to get the most out of your money, especially if you have a family with a lot of different preferences...no wonder people ask for a class...

+1

I'm sure some people would think it was weird to have classes in basic auto repair, painting, and yoga - all of which are regularly offered.  The grocery shopping class sounds like a great way to learn some budget tips, nutrition and ways to eliminate waste.  Plus it could be a lot of fun, and very supportive.  Not weird at all!. This website wouldn't exist if we were all innate financial and budget wizards!

[mxt0133]

Sign me up, I always end up with crap if I don't have a list, and only found out the daily specials are mostly available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

[Playing with Fire UK]

I think the class is a great idea - could you do a field trip, with clipboards and calculators - photos please.

If you're charging for the class PLEASE have a bursary/free spot for the people who need it most.

Also, be prepared for the backlash of people who say - 'I could never do this' or 'my spouse only eats fillet steak' - I'm guessing that you're past caring about this nonsense but don't be surprised by it.

[kimmarg]

That's awesome! I'd do it and enjoy it!

Personally, I'd be more interested in teaching a class on grocery shopping AND nutrition. I've been helping people out with diets for years and for the most part it's something I thoroughly enjoy. I do it for free though, have even helped some members here through PM's. It's just annoying often anymore because everyone thinks they're capable of giving diet and fitness advice, even if they're grossly overweight or out of shape.

There's a national program in the US that does just this: Teaches free nutrition/cooking/grocery classes to low income folks! It's called Cooking Matters and it always needs volunteer instructors/assistants. It's often run through a local food bank but it depends where you are - look into it!  They have a great cookbook they hand out with healthy budget friendly recipes!

www.cookingmatters.org

[PhrugalPhan]

Last year at a class reunion an old classmate's 3rd wife (a foreign national) came up to me and during the conversation was telling me how hard it was to shop in America.  Apparently where she grew up they had shopping assistants at the stores to help her, and now she had to shop on her own and it was so hard.  I didn't know who to feel more sorry for him, her, or their kid.  Holy h....

[mm1970]

I don't think it's that weird, or that the people asking for help are stupid. People come on these forums all the time asking for help with their grocery budgets and the responses run to dozens of replies. Some people just feel more comfortable having a teacher organize information for them, especially if it's an area where they don't feel very confident. A surprising number of people hate grocery shopping, or they end up buying the same limited list every week, because it's too overwhelming figuring out the best things to buy from a giant store full of ingredients. Then add the extra challenge of trying to get the most out of your money, especially if you have a family with a lot of different preferences...no wonder people ask for a class...

I agree.  I think that people learn differently.

I belong to a FB site about healthy eating, and most people when they switch to this type of eating, get sticker shock.

So often people are asking for tips on eating more cheaply.

Some people honestly want you to tell them what to eat.
Some people want to learn the tools, but that takes time, so first: tell me what to eat.
Plus location matters.

So sometimes it's: grow a garden. Sometimes it's: shop at Aldi.  What if you don't have an Aldi?  Even here, yesterday, someone said "Costco is more expensive". Well, it depends on location.

I like to give tips, but decreasing my grocery budget was slow and gradual.  Practice practice and try new things.  I'm pretty good at it now.  But even now, there are decisions and tradeoffs.  My CSA is not running right now, so for a few months I opted to shop at the 99c store for veggies.

Just recently I decided to go with a produce delivery service. It's more expensive than the CSA and a lot more expensive than the 99c store. But I've honed my shopping for everything else so much that I can afford the $40 a week on produce.

[JoRocka]

I'm all about free help- but if people are willing to pay you for your time because they don't want to- do it.

I sew dance costumes as a side job- I'm happy to guide people through the process- I host sewing circles 2-3 times a year- charge 10 bucks for the 4 hrs we sit and sew and drink wine- I help as needed- but most people just need help getting started- or the "library" time to come sit and work outside their home.

There are other people don't/won't.

And I will also sew a project for you- and I will charge. If someone doesn't want to do it- it's not a bad thing- they may just have other priorities and may want to spend their time else where. Fine- I'll take their money- it spends and saves as well as any dollar I've saved.

[TrMama]

The weird part would be for you NOT to take advantage of the situation handed to you.

Yes, go teach and charge for it.  If they are asking you for such a service, provide it.  Look for a room at the library and get the group together. Put a 30-45 minute presentation and show them how you did it. Include the monetary and health benefits of clean eating and cooking at home.

This could easily turn into a monthly thing for you with a gold source of side/disposable/investment income.

I would absolutely do this. However I'd try to host it in a grocery store, rather than at the library. I'm sure if you approached the store with a proposal to bring them a bunch of regular customers, they'd let you wander around and teach a class during their slow time.

[Rosy]

Understand that buy one get one half price is only a 25% discount

Yup, that one bears repeating.

Grocery shopping - stay focused, stick to your list - have a plan and a weekly, "What's for Dinner" list.
Allocate X for unexpected bargains - clearance, close out, reduced for quick sale.
Ask and you shall receive - be nice and chatty with those stock boys they are awesome money savers, they will steer you to the unadvertised bargains and specials.

Know basic stuff, like butter goes on sale during the holidays and that ham is always cheaper after the holidays.

Join all the savings clubs, do use coupons from the paper, online and know where the store displays their store coupons ($2,50 off store coupon on Hellman's Mayo made the large jar of Mayo cheaper than the small one, add $1.00 coupon from the paper) voila - nice savings.
Get an app that tells you which store has your favorite items on sale and compares prices on different sizes of the same product, better yet figure out how to do it in your head.
Find a shopping buddy to split those large, cheaper in bulk purchases. Storage and Price cut in half - nice:)
Be willing to try store brands - even if you love your favs, it's worth a try.

... and yes, to "we all have to start somewhere". Not everyone is fortunate enough to have been taught about smart grocery shopping or they might be new in town. Maybe they never learned to cook yet or just need some guidance on figuring out which items are the best deal.

I have been thinking about starting up a cooking class, maybe I'll incorporate shopping, that is actually how we were taught in school. They split us up in teams and the team that purchased that weeks groceries for the best price got a better grade.
(We were given next weeks shopping list-so everyone puchased the same items)

[asauer]

You all had some really good ideas!  So, I set the class up (at the library!  Thanks for the idea!) as a two part deal with the second meeting at the grocery store (again, thanks!).  I also decided to do an ebook with worksheets and stuff.  I already have 15 ppl signed up. 

For the folks who posted about the gov't sponsored classes, I actually suggested that to these folks initially but several said "no, that's for poor people".  That got my back up a bit but it makes me not feel bad about taking their money to basically give them the same information.

[GreenSheep]

Further proof that this forum is awesome and full of amazing people. (OP and everyone who made great suggestions.) Please let us know how things go!

[PharmaStache]

This is awesome.  I'd love to teach a class on grocery shopping! 

[JLR]

Sounds like an awesome side gig! I'm glad to hear you have pushed ahead with classes.

Don't be too down on the people for not wanting to go to a 'poor persons' class. There is a difference between wanting to be careful with your money but still eat well (eg. the occasional steak), and a class directed at those earning the minimum who have fewer choices.

[trailhugger]

Just based on the things I'm still figuring out, myself, I'm not surprised to hear this. Congrats and good luck with your class!

[Zikoris]

Good for you! I mentioned this thread to my boyfriend and we both agree it would be REALLY hard for us to actually put down into words exactly what we do, because so much of it is just ingrained and habitual that we don't think about it. We're at the point that we just sort of "know" what good prices are for everything we buy, and automatically make ingredient substitutions in the store without really giving it a second thought. I suppose our "system" boils down to unit cost, flexibility, and having a massive repertoire of dishes that let us use pretty much any ingredients we can get a hold of. Well, that and making everything from scratch.

I think Mustache classes are a great idea. I have to wonder how many people who are used to buying things like taco kits or frozen pizzas would be able to make the jump to actual cooking that requires (minimal) effort. Hopefully some of them.

[Zamboni]

The state used to pay one of my Aunts (she is now retired) to basically teach people how to grocery shop. The people she was teaching were most often low income mothers who had been involved in child neglect cases. It was only part of her job, but she was at first fascinated by the fact that so many people had no clue how to buy and prepare relatively cheap but nutritious food. Apparently not knowing how to grocery shop effectively is a fairly common phenomenon.

She also had to come up with lots of ideas for how to make sure even very young children always have a way to make enough of their own food when no parents are around to do it (ie parents asleep at breakfast time before school because they worked late shift) and then make sure that the parents are always prioritizing buying those easy to make items when out grocery shopping. It was along the lines of "You have to buy this giant bag of generic cheerios, a bunch of bananas, and milk every single week. Pour the cheerios in a bowl and put it and a couple of bananas on your coffee table the night before so the kids can just eat in the morning. Even your toddler can just eat these dry cheerios until you are able to wake up, but they have to be out where they can get them." She dealt with some particularly low IQ people and some otherwise intelligent people who just never had anyone else set an example of having food available in the house.

[nobodyspecial]

It was along the lines of "You have to buy this giant bag of generic cheerios, a bunch of bananas, and milk every single week.

Sounds an excellent idea (if a little obvious) but I wonder how long before the advice becomes subject to some new government health mandate.

"You must buy these 17 different fruits and nuts which give a broad range of FDA approved levels of antioxidents and essential nutrients and mix them in ratios related to the child's weight in ways which would confuse a graduate chemist and  must store them in a fridge and discard them at exactly the date printed on the packet ...."
 
Then the next non-profit supporting the program will only do so if the products are fair-trade and organic.

And then the parents go back to McD's $1 menu or candy for breakfast

[Ynari]

When I was in Japan, I once went on a grocery tour with a very nice lady showing us the basics. She walked us through the store, explaining organization, and what type of miso you might choose and why (the rainbow/purple ones usually have dashi already in them, others don't), and what even *is* dashi stock, etc.

I was thinking the other day how hard it would be for me to share my grocery tips with people - it really boils down to "buy what's cheap, compare between stores, and then figure out what to cook with it". But TBH just giving someone a basic tour of the grocery store and how to properly buy staples (like miso and dashi in Japan!) would probably be a tremendous help to someone unfamiliar with the principles. I remember teaching my friend from Singapore about how expensive seafood is when you're landlocked. Sometimes it's hard to deviate from what you know, so having a guide can help.

That said, most of my experience sharing grocery tips is with people who are new to the area in some way. I'd generally assume someone who's lived in a place all their life would know the ins and outs of the grocery stores, but not everyone's as into frugal food as I am.

[Playing with Fire UK]

Sort of related: make your own ready meals from leftovers/cooking extra and pop them in the freezer so you don't need to buy processed meals or get take out when you CBA to cook.

This might be a UK thing, but loads of people (at least that I have met) think you can only heat meat once - so will buy a big portion that is better value per unit weight, and then either suffer through eating cold meat they don't enjoy or feed the rest to the dog (I stopped my in laws feeding an entire chicken (less the drum sticks) to the dog because they didn't think they could eat the rest of it for a second meal) I hope this is pretty rare, but they were pretty adamant that they couldn't heat the chicken up again. The original idea behind the advice is that you don't want meat to spend a lot of time in a warm state while it is cooling down.

Slow cookers/pressure cookers?