She grew up during the Depression, with 12 brothers and 2 sisters. She likes to shop sales, and will go to several different stores to take advantage of sales. She does not listen to the fact that she is wasting gas $$ which obliterates her sales savings. We have 2 refrigerator/freezers and one full length freezer, all full. There are only 3 of us: my parents and me. My father used to have a big appetite, but he is on medicine that kills his appetite. Mom still shops as if we 5 are still living here. My sister has severe food allergies, so she can't eat anything Mom makes. My brother (who lives overseas) has gone the healthy route and has a different food lifestyle than Mom does. My bitch is that I always have to unpack the groceries when she shops. I take stuff downstairs and try to 'make room' for everything. I also cook on the weekends, which includes cleaning out the fridge and throwing stuff that has spoiled because she hasn't used it up. any suggestions? thanks!
Now, my mom too grew up during the depression in a normal household of three children and parents. Ideas to keep mom from buying so much is to clean out the freezer and cupboards. Get a big trash bag load it with all the outdated food. Keep a mental tally of the value of the food you load into the bag. Explain the food is not safe to eat after its date. Food poisoning will send you all to the hospital resulting in huge medical bills. If that doesn't curb her food purchasing habit, maybe nothing will. There are very good reasons for expiration dates on food.
I tried to take her grocery shopping with me a few times, but it would end up in a battle. I would say that we already had 10 of something at home, but she would say we need it. We would come home with more of what we didn't need. Soon I quit letting her shop with me. There was no reasoning with her.
After I had been home for a while, I tough-loved the food and started throwing things out. She got angry, yes, but it had to be done. After I threw away some older things, she got calmer about the cleaning efforts. It also helped that she liked having a clear table and counters.
Shopping can be baffling for some older people. If she wants to continue to shop, maybe you and she can make a list of what groceries are needed and encourage her to stick to the list. I have a feeling that you won't need any meat. You probably have enough to last a year, not counting the old meat you have to throw out.
I know it is a huge change for them, but gently remind her that their lifestyles have changed, things will go on sale again, the world wont end if the freezer is not full. If she really likes to save money figure out how much you would save a month without one of the refrigerators of freezers.