Grocery Shopping Tips

Spend Less Time Grocery Shopping

by: Katie Hegger

Have you ever started to prepare dinner only to find that you are missing a key ingredient?  Do you often return from the grocery store and realize you forgot to buy something?  Do you find yourself back-tracking through the grocery store looking for missed items, all the while trying to keep little hands from grabbing food off the shelves?  We’ve all been there!  Here are some tips to help you save time (and hopefully your sanity!) at the grocery store:  

Grocery Shopping Tip #1: Make a Weekly Meal Plan

Make a list of meals for the upcoming week BEFORE you do your grocery shopping so you will have all the necessary ingredients on hand for dinner.  Write down 5-7 dinner ideas including main and side dishes.  This can be a flexible list - there is no need to assign a specific night of the week for each meal.  Add any meal ingredients you will need to your grocery list.  When choosing your weekly meals, try to plan for a couple of nights of leftovers (save these for your busiest evenings).  Check your calendar to make sure the selected meals can be prepared within the time you will have available. 

Grocery Shopping Tip #2: Create a Master Grocery List

Repeat after me, “Never go shopping without a list!”  Even better, make a master grocery list of the items you most commonly purchase at the grocery store.  This will save you a lot of time on future shopping trips and it will eliminate those extra trips to the store every week!  

How to Make a Master Grocery List

·         Write a list of all the food, paper, and cleaning products you frequently purchase at the grocery store.  Your list should be very specific.  If you normally like to have American, Colby, and Parmesan cheeses then list each type of cheese separately. 

·         Divide your shopping list into several categories.  These categories may include: Produce, Bread/Bakery, Condiments, Deli, Canned Goods, Pasta, Ethnic Foods, Cereal, Snacks, Beverages, Baking, Paper Goods, Meat, Cleaning Supplies, Paper Goods, Frozen Foods, Dairy, etc.  List each item under the appropriate category heading.  Leave some extra space between categories to handwrite any items not on your list. 

·         Type your list, save it on your computer, and print several copies.  Use this as a checklist before shopping by taking inventory of your kitchen and circling the items you need.  Handwrite any necessary purchases that are not already on your list.    

Grocery Shopping Tip #3: Map Your Grocery Store

In order to shop even more efficiently, set up your master grocery list to fit the layout of your favorite grocery store.  You can do this by memory, but it will work better if go to the grocery store and note the aisle where each item on your list is located.  Yes this may sound time-consuming, but it will save you time in the long run.  Since this part requires focus, it is best to do it when you can shop without children in tow.  Many grocery stores have store maps available which will make this process easier, so be sure to ask for one. 

Grocery Shopping Tip #4: Post a List

A magnetic dry erase board placed on your refrigerator is a great way to keep a running list of items you need at the store.  This is especially helpful for remembering infrequently purchased items that are not on your master grocery list.  Put it high enough that your little ones cannot reach it.  (We all know how much damage can be done with non-washable markers!)  When you use the last of something, add that item to your board before you throw the container away or recycle it.  Make it a habit to check your dry erase board list when you review your master grocery list each week.  If you can convince your significant other to use this system too, it will work even better!