How to Make Grocery Shopping Easy

Make Grocery Shopping Quick & Easy

Grocery shopping for most is a time-consuming necessity that many would prefer to avoid. Though it can be pain staking, there are a few things you can do to make it easier and quicker. Here's a few tips to make your next trip to the grocery store a little more pain free.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Internet
• Grocery list
• Coupons
• Store ads

1. Planning is key. Every expert coupon shopper already knows this, but even if you don't use coupons, take a few minutes to plan before you go. Starting with this step will save you a lot of actual shopping time. Questions you need to ask beforehand include: What's my budget? What's on sale? What favorite items do I need to restock?

2. Make a list, check it twice. If you are shopping for a specific recipe or menu, then you already have an idea of the items you need; however, it's still a good idea to write it down. If you're shopping for a large family, it's even more important to make a list before you go. There's nothing worse than having to make multiple trips to the grocery store over the span of a few days just because you forgot the basics like toilet paper or milk, bread and eggs. Making a list also helps you stay within a specified budget -- stores are designed for impulse buying, which can make you go over your limit in a hurry. And if you are a fan of coupon shopping, match up any available coupons with items on your list before you go.

3. Keep a running tally to avoid "grand total shock." As you add items to your cart, start adding up the cost of each. As you shop, add an item and round up to the next dollar; it's faster to add $2 plus $6 and so on than to add $1.78 and $5.59. If you're comfortable adding in your head, great. If not, then just include pen and paper or a calculator into your planning steps. Rounding up is a great way to allow for the taxes, as well.

4. Shop during off hours. If you can, avoid peak times. Saturdays and weekday shopping during rush hour -- 5 to 7 p.m. -- are times to avoid the grocery store altogether. If you're unsure what peak times are at your favorite store, just ask the cashier or store manager next time you're in.

5. Shop online. It's not for everybody, but several of the chain stores offer online shopping and grocery delivery for a fee, usually between $10 and $15. The only drawbacks: it can take a significant amount of time to initially set up your online profile and personalized grocery lists and you have to select an available delivery time.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop alone if you can. The less distractions, the faster you can get through your list and out the door. If you are a stay-at-home parent and do most of your shopping while your spouse is working, consider trading childcare with another parent. You both get to shop relatively hassle free.

References

• The Frugal Shopper: Grocery Shopping Tips - Extreme Couponing Tips
• Get Rich Slowly: Saving at the Supermarket: 15 Great Grocery Shopping Tips