Most of us waste time by going to the grocery store more than necessary. There is always something we forgot or there's an unplanned dinner that sends us back to the store for the third time in one week.
You can change that by following the simple tips listed below. These tips will help you to save time by shopping more efficiently. The goal should be to only go to the store once a week. You will be amazed at the time you will regain by being more organized in your shopping!
- Create a master grocery shopping list. Write or print out a standard grocery list for you to make copies of and use again and again. We all shop for basically the same items week after week, and if you have a standard grocery list you can simply highlight each item as you need it. Listing the items by category or aisle helps to speed up the shopping process. You can organize your list by fruits and vegetables, dairy, meats, and products such as aluminum foil, and toilet paper, etc. If you repeatedly shop at the same store, you may choose to make your list according to how that store is organized. This reduces the time you spend in the store going back and forth from aisle to aisle. Let everyone in the family knows where the list is so they can highlight or add something to it as is needed. If you put what you need on the list right when you discover you need it, that item will not be forgotten. Don't forget to leave space to add items that you need that are not already listed.
- Make a list of the meals you will prepare for the entire week. Once you have written down the meals you'll serve, make your grocery list for all of the items you'll need. Always check your pantry and refrigerator first to see if you already own some of the ingredients. After you have made your main menu list, add the other basic items you will need to get through the week.
- Eat your fresh produce earlier in the week and then resort to frozen or canned for the latter part of the week. This works well if you purchase produce that will not last seven days. If you are thoughtful in planning, you can schedule your menu around the shelf-life of your produce to enable you to eat fresh fruits and vegetables the entire week.
Follow these three simple steps and enjoy the extra time you'll save by not making numerous trips to the store. An added bonus is that you will also have your meals for the week planned ahead allowing you to know what you're going to cook each night.
