Grocery Shopping: As Good As It Gets

2 behavioral problems I leave home when grocery shopping:

1. PARANOIA/PHOBIA

I want to be well-stocked for every national disaster imaginable. There is no harm in being ready, but my imagination can often times run wild. (After watching War of the Worlds with my husband, I asked him if he had an evacuation plan in case aliens invade planet earth, or for zombie and vampire attacks.)

Because of this, I tend to over-stock food. Just a few months ago, I had to throw a few dozen expired canned and bottled foods.

2. OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVENESS

If I have to buy more than 1 thing of something, it must be an even number, usually 6.

I don't need 6 cans of green peas or 6 packs of noodles but I still buy 6. I cannot explain it. It just has to be an even number.

THE HEALING PROCESS:

I made a list of the food staples that I store in the pantry and I limited myself to a certain number for each item . When grocery shopping, I only buy enough to replenish our stocks as opposed to buying 6 of everything.

Example: I can only store 14 cans of corned beef. At the end of the week, if we used 3 cans, Ate S will write down "Corned beef - 3 cans" in our grocery list. I then use all my will power to buy only 3 cans.

I still hoard groceries but I now have a system. We have provisions enough to feed 4 people for at least two weeks in case disaster strikes.