How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

Okay, I know the first food shopping is going to be killer in the new place. We're both coming from living at home so we need EVERYTHING. I mean, everything...down to the basics of spices, tissues, and even flour and sugar. I'm anticipating the first shopping to be like $500 Does that sound right?

I'm going to start accumulating some non-perishables between now and closing (end of September). I'm thinking of going to Costco for things like toilet paper, paper towels, soap in bulk, etc.

My question is, for those who have BTDT with moving to a new place, what do you suggest having on hand right away on move in day? Things that you realized you needed, used a lot, was nice to have with you? I'll probably pack these items in alarge rubbermaid container and move it right in so it's easily accessible for us while we move everything in and unpack.

I know...I've got over a month...but as you all can tell, I'm an over-planner

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

Toilet Paper!!
New toilet seat
Toilet brush & cleaner

Paper towels, napkins, tissues
Paper plates
Plastic utensils, cups

Cleaning products for bathroom and kitchen appliances

rubber gloves

If you have carpets, a role of brown paper to lay down so they don't get ruined during move in (good for hard wood too).

Radio or ipod w/ speakers

Message edited 8/17/2011 11:44:07 AM.

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

it's been about 6 years now, but i remember doing a BIG food shopping like that, buying every kind of staple i thought i'd "need" - and looking back, it really wasn't necessary.

if you're going to be cooking, think about what meals you might make and what kind of spices/condiments you use all the time - get those few. otherwise, it's just going to be overwhelming and you might waste money on things you think you need but wind up never really using. i know we did.

if you make coffee/tea at home etc, get that and sugar - but you probably don't need flour until you're going to be baking.

you can always get a few things at each shopping trip, it's less overwhelming that way.

definitely get paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, salt and pepper, and whatever other staples you think you might use often. think about what you eat every day and go from there.

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

Trash cans and garbage bags

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

i think i spent about $300 at the food store an another $200 at costco the first time i went when we moved in. i had some things from our apartment, but we had a 4 day power outage before we moved so everything from the fridge and freezer had to be thrown out.

for the first day i would say
toilet paper
paper towels
paper plates
cups
plastic silverware
garbage bags
soda/water

we ordered pizza the first night!

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

We spent about $200 when we first moved in.

A few good things to have on hand:
-clorox wipes
-paper towels
-windex
-dustpan and broom
-garbage bags
-tools and screws
-duct tape, masking tape
-scissors
-radio
-vacuum
scrubbing bubbles
pledge

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

What I did when we first moved was planned on doing a "big" shop every week for a few weeks. This way, you can take advantage of sale prices for staples. Even with staples, you don't *need* everything all at once.

That said, I spent a lot because since we had nothing, I was building back up the pantry by buying extra of things on sale.



I would recommend having bottles of water handy for move-in day.

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

Start with cleaning supplies, buy food/ pantry items as you go .

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

I would not go crazy buying spices, just get them as you need...

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?

paper towels
toilet paper
tissues
garbage bags
napkins
cleaning solutions
vacuum
mop
broom
dustpan
condiments - ketchup, mayo, mustard, etc
milk
spices, oil, cooking spray
soda/wate/beerr (for anyone who comes by to help!)

Message edited 8/19/2011 9:53:54 AM.

Re: How much was your first food shopping AND suggestions of what to have on hand on move in day?