Reusable Cloth shopping bags

I have a new found respect for these things. Recently I've been taking them with me on every shopping trip (go me) to the grocery store. You have no idea how rewarding it feels to come out with seven cloth bags full of groceries and know, you got everything you need. But it's more than that.

These things hold a lot of stuff.

Mind you, I've been the victim of the plastic bag tearing halfway to the house from the car, or even in the house on the way to the kitchen. It's angering to have your groceries spill out on the ground right from your own hands. And maybe it's just me, but it seems the plastic sacks get thinner and thinner each year. Next time you go to the store, watch how much goes into one of those bags safely, and then ask yourself if you could have put even one can of soup more in them last year without wondering if they would break.

But these cloth bags, no worries there. I've picked these things up all over. King Soopers, Micro Center, even some cloth totes my hubby got given from his work. I use them all. I particularly love my Micro Center bag. It's brown, and has two sets of handles. One for the shoulder, one for the hand. Now, this it cool. That longer shoulder strap is just the right length that I can hook it over the hanger hooks in the back of the van, and the bag hovers just slightly off the seat. Why is this cool? I usually make sure the bread and eggs go in there, and so long as nothing is packed around it (not hard, the rest goes on the floor behind that seat) my eggs and bread make it home safe.

I set a goal for my 101 in 1001, that I'd start using these bags, and I'm glad I have. I no longer have the added waste of the plastic sacks, or the fear that a sack will break. I can load three or four 2-liter bottles into them and while it is heavy, it hasn't broken the bag yet. I think more groceries fit into them too. And, honestly, they're a ton easier to carry. Seriously. I can carry in maybe four plastic sacks at a time, without fear of snapping handles or fingers. I can usually load myself with about six to eight of these cloth bags before I have to worry about my hands. The straps fit nicely over my shoulders and forearms, and they seem more comfortable to carry along.

Anyway, yes, I love these things. I have about ten so far, and I plan on picking up a few more of various sizes in the future. If you haven't tried them, give them a go. Most places sell them. Some places even give you a small credit for using them. I know King Soopers does. I've heard Wal-Mart does not, even though they sell the bags. Honestly, I've gotten five cents back per bag, though recently they've been maxing hat at twenty cents at the King Soopers I go to. Apparently I'm only allowed credit for four bags. So it's not that big a deal, if you're looking to save money with them. But they really are wonderful, beyond that.

I've seen the reusable produce sacks as well. King Soopers has them in a pack of three for five bucks. Not really sure that's worth it for me right now, but eventually I will probably pick one pack up. Especially if I find them on sale, or somewhere else cheaper. They look stronger, and would probably hold more items. Given the new roommates prefer fresh veggies over the canned kind, it's something I have to look into.