With this list of Savvy Grocery Shopping Tips, you can save a lot of time and aggravation. First, prepare before you go .
TIP #1 Organize your shopping list.
If you’re sticking to real-time shopping, here’s the basic breakdown of areas you’ll probably need:
Deli (watch out for deli products with nitrates and watch for sodium content)
Produce (juice is a treat-eat fruits, don’t drink them!)
Fresh meat/poultry/seafood
Freezer Section (focus on frozen veggies)
Dairy/Eggs
Breakfast Items
Coffee/Tea
Condiments
Oils/vinegars
Baking supplies
Spices
Nuts/dried fruit
Nut butters/fruit spread (all fruit)
Canned vegetables/fruits
Rice/Beans/Pasta
Soups
Canned meats/fish
Bread
International
Pantry Staples/herbs/spices
Paper Goods
Soaps/Cleaners
Health and Beauty
Pharmacy
Notice that I did not include soda, chips, snack foods, candy, ice cream or cookies. If you don’t buy them, they won’t eat them!
Now you can organize your list of items for meals by area and add the things from your running list that you need. I’ve done some kind of list organizing for years and it was a life saver, especially if you have a LONG list, like you do if you have kids. Before you go, I urge you to download the Environmental Working Group’s app that rates food with a score for health. You can scan bar codes or look up items in their database. It really is a cool tool!
TIP #2 Be prepared.
- Don’t forget to take your list! And coupons if you have them and have a system for them.
- Take the grocery ad with you (or it’s on your phone)
- Be sure you have the EWG app on your phone.
- Take your reusable grocery bags if they’re not in your trunk.
TIP #3 Pick a good time for shopping.
TIP #4 Pick a time when you can put groceries away, too.
TIP #5 Go by yourself if possible.
You’ll buy less and get out quicker. There’s some value to taking kids with you, but only if they’re in “training!”
TIP #6 Go when the store is not so busy-NOT Saturday mid-day and NOT Sunday. Monday and Tuesday seem to be the best days.
TIP #7 Go to the same store every week and learn your way around.
Savvy Grocery Shopping Tips at the Store
TIP #8 Do these things in the store:
- Stick to the perimeter as much as possible.
- Shop the freezer section last.
- Avoid the snack food aisles.
- Read labels carefully-take your magnifying glass if you need to.
- Check your list before you head to the check out.
- Ask for “rain checks” if a sale item is unavailable.
TIP #9 Pick the fastest checkout line (or at least improve your odds).
I did a lot of research on this and have had many years of experience “checking out.” Sometimes I just wanted to “check out” mentally after going to the store-at the wrong time without a list. The New York Times wrote a great article and here’s the summary, with my own comments added:
- Do Self-checkout
Maybe, but not if you have produce, coupons, or want to use cash, although some will take cash
- Cashiers
Look for female cashiers that are not too young. This is according to the NYT-I did NOT make that up. Watch out for the talkers!
- Lanes
OPEN with NO flashing lights
- Lines
Watch out for mothers juggling small children, people who are taking their time for any number of reasons
Watch for cart size-a full cart might go faster than three people with small orders.
Watch for carts with a lot of produce to be weighed.
At a big box store, watch for carts full of clothing and large items-more work for the cashier.
- Check your own order
Be sure your produce has a bar code or price sticker.
Check for broken eggs or packages.
If you’re buying clothing, be sure it has price tags or bar codes.
Organize your groceries when unloading and put all refrigerated items together.
Keep fragile items like eggs or bread until last.
Help the bagger if it will save time.
Swipe your card before the cashier finishes.
Tip # 10 Have a Savvy Grocery Shopping Trip!
I hope these savvy grocery shopping tips help you minimize your time and maximize your shopping dollars at the grocery store. Time is money and there’s only so much of it. Use less energy at the store, emotional and physical and save your energy for things you love doing!