I don’t know if you’re like me, but I love to shop for bargains. These uncertain times add to the stress, and people constantly look for ways to save money on groceries. Blindness can make it challenging to look at mailer ads or the weekly newspaper to compare prices and coupons. Traveling around town in search of “bargains” can be complicated by having to arrange for a driver or share a ride with someone you know.
This post provides helpful guidance and highlights tips and tricks you can use before and during shopping.
Step 1 – Getting Started and Taking a Life Inquiry
You can start to formulate a plan. Consider your current situation. This includes factors such as time and financial resources. These questions will help you to create a plan.
What budget do I need? It is essential to establish a budget. You should spend between 10% and 12% of your net income on food. This doesn’t include food out, or products for personal care frequently purchased at the grocery store. Access to a budget that you can understand is essential. The APH Product Catalog contains resources.
What should I look for in meat? Red meat is usually more expensive than chicken and turkey. Chicken thighs can be used in place of breasts. Ground chuck can be used in place of sirloin. Pork loin is better than pork chops. Generic brands are usually more affordable and often just as good. These decisions can be made based on your budget and individual needs.
Do you have a support network to help me shop? Although it is possible to shop on your own, having friends or family assist with transportation and occasional aid can be very helpful. Although it may seem difficult to ask for help from your family and friends, you can return the favor in many ways. For some ideas, see the post “Independence Versus Interdependence VisionAware.”
How much time do I have to cook? It can take a lot of time to prepare meals. One of my favorite strategies is to prepare all meals ahead of time and freeze them for future use. This method is both economical and healthy. It is possible to cook daily and heat leftovers for several meals. Find out what works best for you.
How much storage space do I have? The amount of storage space available and the frequency with which you plan to use the item will affect whether or not you buy bulk. Only buy perishable foods in bulk if you can freeze them. If you have sufficient freezer space, I can save money by buying meat in larger quantities. I then divide the heart into smaller pieces, freeze it, and store it in containers or freezer bags.
Can I safely cook with only limited vision? Yes! With practice and alternative methods, you can prepare delicious and nutritious meals. You can learn every skill required for meal preparation with adaptive Equipment and training. You can continue cooking with practice and time. If you’ve never cooked before, this is the perfect time to start! To learn more about training, contact your nearest agency for the low and blind. Vision Aware offers many blogs on home management and cooking. Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impair offers many online resources. MSU OIB–TAC provides Lessons for Learning for those with vision loss.
Arrange Transportation If you live within walking distance of a store or have easy access to a ride, excellent! You can take fixed-route transportation by bus, paratransit, or taxi cab. You will have to plan more carefully if you take public transport.
Menu Planning: It’s a good idea to plan your meals before you start shopping. To prepare, I take inventory of what I have in my fridge, freezer, and pantry. You might think of “Meatless Monday” and “Taco Tuesday.” Also, consider your family’s favorite meals and create a rotation. Talk to your friends and share recipes. A meal plan will dramatically lower your grocery bill!
Make a Grocery List: I use my meal planning to prepare a grocery list. The meal plan and grocery list must be easily read in large print, braille, or recorded format. The What’s for dinner blog has many ideas for meal planning and grocery list.
Gather Equipment To have your grocery list in a legible format, make sure you also take low-vision and blindness equipment like a magnifier or large print, a talking calculator, or an abacus. Indoor sunglasses are a must if fluorescent lights cause headaches. If you have one, remember your white cane. If you don’t have a white club or are having difficulty getting around, it is worth learning to use one from a certified instructor.
Shopping Assistance If you shop independently and need assistance in the store, call ahead to see if an employee is available.
Please stick to your List: It is a good idea only to buy items from your list. In the checkout line, it can be tempting to buy on impulse.
Layout the Store: I do most of my shopping around the perimeter. Here I can find nearly everything I need. When walking the aisles in the middle, I always look at the top and bottom of the shelves to see what I need. The most expensive items are often placed at eye level.
Keep a Running Total. Use your accessible calculator, smartphone, or abacus for a running total.
Step 4 – Storage & Labeling
But you still need to finish! It is now time to put away all your purchases. VisionAware offers food storage and accessible labeling. Using creative labeling and storage containers, you can make it easy to find things. It is essential to have easy-to-read labels, including expiration dates.
