I’m working on an article, and I’d like to know what is something that you must get every time you go to the grocery store? It could be something as simple as a gallon of milk, or a loaf of bread? But what type of bread? Plain white, or 21 grain? Frozen chicken breasts, or fresh and organic, with no brine added?

I’ve changed my shopping habits many times over the years. I used to buy a lot more crap foods for snacks for the kids – chips, Cheetos (okay, those are for me), Scooby snacks, etc. Now, just about the only thing I let in the house often is ramen, because teenagers/young adults live here.

Must haves for our house include fresh produce. And maybe some fresh Italian and Sourdough bread if I don’t feel like making it that weekend. We’re a big beef family, and when we don’t order from Dave’s sister, who raises cattle, I’m on the lookout for grassfed, or 93% lean on sale. Is that always cheaper? No, certainly not. But I’ve spent years buying the cheaper stuff and find I’m not willing to sacrifice quality for price anymore. What’s really weird is that Grandma Bargain Sleuth, my mother, did the same thing as she got older. Stretching a dollar was still important to her, and to me, but we both got pickier.

What do you always have to buy? Does that make a difference to what store you shop at that week? Let me know in the comments!