Grocery shopping

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

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Stock up on cheap staples like rice, peas, beans, and potatoes.
They are affordable items you can survive on.
one person who lived it
Smell the bottom of a package of strawberries or the base of a pineapple; if there is no fragrance, they will likely lack flavor.
Fragrance indicates flavor.
- This method requires a sense of smell.
one person who lived it
Squeeze the closed bud of a rose at its widest part; firmer buds indicate fresher flowers that will last longer.
Firmer equals fresher.
- Buds that are too firm may stay closed ('bulbles'); the firmness should give just a little.
one person who lived it
Smell peaches before buying; if they do not smell like peaches, avoid them.
Peaches that lack a peach scent will not taste good.
one person who lived it
Discard garlic bulbs that smell strongly of garlic.
Strong odor suggests a bad clove inside and that the rest are about to sprout.
one person who lived it

Smell for a slight sweet scent; avoid those that smell too sweet.
A very sweet smell could mean the watermelon is overripe.
one person who lived it
Tap a watermelon and look for a hollow sound similar to a basketball or wooden drum.
A hollow sound is better than a dull wet thud.
one person who lived it
Pick a watermelon that feels heavy for its size.
Heavier weight indicates more water content, which means more juice.
2 people, independently
Look for larger 'eyes' (circles) on the outside of the pineapple.
Workers indicated that larger eyes are better.
one person who lived it

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Check the base of a pineapple leaf where it meets the fruit; if it is white, the fruit is good, but if it is brown and mushy, it has passed its prime.
one person who lived it
Choose tomatoes with green shoulders near the stem for enhanced flavor.
The gene causing green shoulders also enhances the tomato's flavor.
one person who lived it
Select seeded watermelons instead of seedless ones for better sweetness.
Seedless watermelons are less sweet.
one person who lived it