grocery shopping tips

As much as I admit to being a shop-a-holic, there is actually one kind of shopping that I hate....OH, NO!, How can this be?....I know, I know, it sounds so awful, but I must come clean...I hate grocery shopping.

Grocery shopping is kinda like a roller coaster ride for me, a series of up and down emotions from beginning to end. I start off all excited to go. I cheerfully write my list. I'm still in good spirits as I make my way there. Then I enter. Now IF I go during a non-peak time, I'm still pretty happy. But if it's crowded, my mood instantly changes. Either way I manage to stay cool, calm and collected as I start my journey. I'm okay as I begin to fill up the cart. But as I make my way around the store and am about half way through my list, my patience starts to fade. All I want to do if finish and get out. I start picturing how nice it would be at that very moment to be home, relaxing. When I'm almost finished, I start rushing to get all those last little things just so I can leave. But then...there's check-out. Now, why is it that every store in the world seems to have a lack of cashiers? There are certainly enough registers. Oh yeah, I know why, I worked in retail for years, it's called PAYROLL. The companies do not want too many employees working, because this would mean more money going out. But are they forgetting a very important part of business? The customer should always be HAPPY? Well, I'm NOT happy when I have to wait forever and ever with my big full cart (which includes cold items btw) and a screaming toddler. So somehow I manage to make it through and check out. But then there's GOING HOME. Now I have all this stuff, but it has to fit into the car and make it home. Of course it doesn't end there...now I have to put it all away! By this point, I feel so exhausted I wish I could push some sort of pause button on life and get to it later. But no, it must be done now. So after putting all the stuff away-all the while cursing myself for buying so much-I'm done. And although it would make economical sense to make something to eat from all this food I've brought in, I decide to order a pizza for dinner.

Please do not get me wrong. I am not one to complain easily. And I want to be perfectly clear that I am extremely grateful for even being able to buy food to eat. But the fact remains that it's not always a pleasant experience. So here are some of my personal tips, things that I try to follow, to make it a little better.

Photo from: Fotosearch.com

1) Prepare - I go through my kitchen and purge all things expired before even going, and before writing my list. Then I make my list as I go through the fridge and cupboards. I then go to my bedroom and bathroom to check for non-food items that I may need. I also check out my son's diaper supply in addition to all his other non-food needs. Something that I think really works, is to have a list that you can write items on throughout the week as you think of them.

2) Stick to your list - I can't recall a time that I stuck to my list 100%, I always pick up at least something extra. But try to stay focused. Allow yourself 3-5 "grace items". This could include a great deal that you just can't pass up, something you forgot to write, or just something you see and want. But the more you can focus on your list the less time and money you'll spend.

3) Be realistic - I know that if I go during an evening, or even worse a weekend evening, that it's going to be packed full of people. I think the best time to grocery shop is in the mornings or early afternoons. For me, I find weekend mornings to be a good time (I work during the week days). Side note: This may not apply to your local Wal-Mart (aka: the store that never sleeps). Also, allot yourself enough time to actually shop. Don't fool yourself into thinking a whole grocery order will only take 1/2 hour to get.

4) Divide - I tried skipping a week here and there with my shopping thinking I'd save time and money. But I only found myself with an even bigger order and longer time in the store on the following trip. So I decided to go back to my weekly plan. This helps divide the load of items and time. I find my orders to be less and even the timing is much better. In addition, I like to buy the biggest sizes for many things such as laundry detergent, diapers, etc. Of course you usually end up saving some cash this way, but you also won't have to buy it as often. I also like to keep what I call "back stock" (can you tell I've been in retail?). I don't like running out of things. So I usually have one thing that's opened and being used and one extra in my "back stock" for when I finish the opened one. I do this for most toiletries items and for canned/dried foods that I know we'll use.

5) Stay organized - As I shop I keep my cart organized. All the cleaning items together, all the canned items together, all the frozen items together, etc. Then when you go to check out, arrange your items on the belt in a similar order. This will allow the bagger to bag your items in their groups and it'll be easier on you as you unpack them at home.

6) Mental map - I map out the store and stick with a route that makes sense. I go and get all my toiletries first. Then onto cleaning supplies, laundry stuff, paper items etc. After that I get my dried/canned food. Last I get all the fridged items, followed by frozen items. I do not want things melting, it only makes sense to save those things for last. Produce can be done almost anywhere, but if it's fridged produce you should hold off towards the end (this will also prevent squashed tomatoes).

7) Checking out - When you go to check out, don't look at how many people are in the line. Look at the carts/baskets in it. A line of five people with small orders could take less time than a couple customers with filled-to-the-brim carts. Also take a peak at the cashier. Do they look like they know what they're doing? Do they move in a speedy way or run things over the scanner in slow motion? This in itself could make all the difference with timing.

8) Treat yourself - Pick up one special reward for yourself or give yourself extra relaxing time after you get home. You've earned it!

So, these are just a few of my tips based on my experiences. Hope they're helpful! Happy grocery shopping! :-)