Going Shopping

There are 63,328 grocery stores operating in the U.S. today, creating a 758 billion dollar industry. A grocery store, or supermarket, is a food service retail store that primarily sells a general range of food products, among other things. Some grocery stores specialize in foods from a particular nationality. What we think of today as grocery stores began in 1916 in Memphis, Tennessee. It was called Piggly Wiggly. The average person spends 53 hours a year in one. That’s roughly 41 minutes a trip. Going to the grocery store is an activity we all have to do whether we like it or not. Here are some tips to make your next trip a smooth one.

Making A List

69% of women, and 52% of men, on average, make a list. By making a list, you can also save money because it helps you resist buying things you don’t need or have too much of. This is how I make a list, but you can do it any way you like. The first thing I do is make a weekly menu. Then I take those recipes and break them down by ingredient, crossing off the things I already have. After that, I check on my household staples like bread, milk, and eggs to see if we are running low. Next, I check the items we frequently pack for lunches for the week to get those items stocked. Finally, I review the beverages like pop and energy drinks to make sure they are good to go for the week. When finished, I re-write the list based on the store’s layout.

Picking The Best Date And Time

You’ll want to go shopping when it is less crowded. This will prevent you from getting stuck in an aisle looking at things you don’t need, or re-routing you down one you don’t need to be in. If possible, avoid going on Saturdays as this is the store's busiest day. Wednesday is the second worst day as this is usually when the weekly sales start. The best days to go are Mondays and Tuesdays. If there is a large sporting event or the local team is playing on Sunday during game time is usually good. For the best time to go, you’ll want to go in the mornings shortly after they open up, while the worst time to go is between 4 and 5 PM because this is usually when everyone is getting out of work.

Using Coupons

Coupons are an effective way to save on groceries when used correctly. 57% of women and 41% of men will use at least one coupon during their trip. The first thing to know when using a coupon is to read what the fine print says. Make sure to follow these instructions for proper redemption. Familiarize yourself with that location’s coupon policy as every store handles them differently. Don’t use a coupon on a product you don’t normally get since it will most likely go unused. Download coupons from trusted sites like the store’s website or Flipp. Organize your coupons in a way they can be easily found. Try pairing them with store deals for added savings.

One Person At A Time

A good way to survive a trip to the grocery store is to go alone. By going solo, you’ll increase your chances of sticking to your list. You don’t want to waste time tracking your party down in an overcrowded store that decided to play an impromptu game of hide-and-seek. Assign one person in your household to be responsible for all the groceries and meal prep. They’ll be the person in charge of making sure you have enough groceries to get you through the week. They are also the one who run the emergency pantry. By putting one person in charge, you can prevent overbuying as it is their job to get anything your home needs from the store.

Heading Out

There are a few more things you can do at home to get the most out of your shopping trip. Do one last check of the essentials to make sure you are good for the week before leaving. Eating a well-balanced breakfast can prevent you from buying junk food. Do a rough budget to make sure you have enough funds to cover everything on the list. Buy frequently purchased items in bulk to save a little money in the long run. Try to limit your shopping to one or two stores that are near each other. If an item you need is out of stock, get a rain check so you can still get the discount. If you plan on getting a lot of fridge and freezer goods, go grocery shopping last.