How to Get Food Shopping Done in 30 Minutes

Do you find that your trip to the grocery shop sometimes lasts longer than you planned because you ended up searching aisle to aisle for items you cannot locate? Do you get frustrated at times because you forgot to buy something? You can be an efficient grocery shopper if you organize and plan ahead. Here are some steps to help you spend 30 minutes or less at the grocery store.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Before Going to the Grocery Store

1. Plan ahead before you leave for the grocery store.

2. Acquire a map of the store that you frequent the most. Review the contents on each aisle and how the various categories are organized. Create a template based on the map.

3. Look through the weekly ad for sale items and cut coupons that you will be using for your shopping list.

4. Write down a shopping list of things that you need. Categorize them by items that need to be replenished, items that you need more of and ingredients for meals that you are making. Double check with your family members and see if they have other things to add to your list.

5. Arrange your shopping plan according to the map of the store. Start with dry goods and move towards those items that need to be kept cold or fresh.

At the Grocery Store

6. Shop with a full stomach. This helps prevent impulse buying, especially of junk food, which will impact your shopping time and budget.

7. Leave children at home. If you must, make sure children are not tired or hungry. Give them a treat to eat or a small toy to entertain them as you shop. That way, they are not distracting you or delaying your shopping time by consistently asking you for something that is not on your list.

8. Pick a time of the day where traffic at the grocery store is low. Usually, this is between the early morning hours until the late afternoon. Avoid the evening hours that are close to dinner time. Most working moms tend to go grocery shopping after work and this will greatly delay your shopping trip.

9. Stick to the list you made. Do not be distracted.

10. Use your map of the store and work quickly from the first aisle that you need to get something down to the last. Pick the items on your list and move on. Do not be distracted by neighboring items or other products that look tempting.

11. Load items that are dry first, saving those that need to be kept cold or fresh for last.

12. Ask for assistance from a store employee if you cannot locate a product instead of looking everywhere for it. You will save time doing so.

13. Check off the list as you pick up your items. Proceed straight to the cashier when you are done with the last item.

14. Give the cashier all the coupons you will be using immediately.

15. Pay for your groceries and your shopping is done, hopefully within 30 minutes.