Being efficient on time and money is very important for working moms. Even for tasks such as grocery shopping, you need to use the least money and time. Fortunately you can save money and time on your trips to grocery stores by creating a shopping list, creating a meal plan, buying items in bulk, and using grocery discounts.
You can also get the best deals from the store by using the store’s reward card, shopping on less busier days, buying from the local market, and checking out the clearance sections for good and cheaper deals among others.
Secrets & Tricks to Save Time & Money on Grocery Shopping
1: Have a Grocery Shopping List
Before you go to a store for shopping, always make a list of the things you are buying. With a list do not forget essential items by crossing off items as you go. Before making the list go through your fridge and/or pantry to identify the items that needs replenishing. By having a list, you will also save money by avoiding buying things that you already have and do not need them at the moment.
Reorganize your list so that you start from your first item on the first aisle of your store and last on your list on the last aisle as you check out. You will save a lot of time this way because you avoid moving back and forth in the store. Further memorize where everything is in the store so you can head right to it and you will not be distracted, making your grocery shopping easier.
2: Make a Weekly Meal Plan
Planning what to eat for the week will make your grocery shopping easy. As a mom you will spend less time and money on groceries when you already know your family will be eating for the week, what you need to buy, and in what quantity. Create a plan of all the meals (breakfast, lunch, snack, supper), etc. that you will take for the week.
Once you have created a meal plan, use it to create a shopping list for the week. Simply pick a meal and list all the ingredients or items that you will need to make them. Then go grocery shopping with this list and buy the item without wasting time or getting distracted. You wont waste time thinking about what you need to buy when you are already in the store.
3: Buy Frozen Foods/Groceries and Items in Bulk
Frozen food and groceries store well for a long time hence saving you time for numerous trips to the grocery store. Stop using every day or weekend for grocery shopping when you can buy the groceries in bulk. If you have adequate storage space, bulk items will last you longer.
You will also save money when you buy frozen food compared to fresh food. Frozen foods and vegetables are usually cheaper than fresh food and vegetables and yet they are all equally nutritious.
Also shop at the local farmers market; they stock a variety of food and veggies and are usually cheaper than big chain markets. You will hence save money and also use less time shopping here as there is variety of sellers.
4: Take Advantage of Grocery Discounts
Always try to check where and when to buy groceries with the least costs and less time used. To save money, try checking the stores with discounts and buying through the best deals and discounts your store is offering.
Most stores run discounts on food and groceries regularly and you can make a good deal out of it. Some stores run discounts on certain days of the week or a certain period of the month. Trying aligning your grocery shopping to match these dates and take advantage of the discounts.
To save time avoid grocery shopping on days and times when there are a lot of people in the stores. Go for your groceries in the evening during weekdays and avoid weekends. Also, shop late at night for bigger discounts as usually some stuff is out on sale. Most stores even have a discounted rack in the back of the store for some good items.
Hacks & Tips for Best Deals on Grocery Shopping
- Eat before going out for grocery shopping. It will help you refrain from shopping on hunger or by impulse. You will save money as you will not buy what you do not need.
- Instead of buying prepackaged stuff, and small bags of food, buy a big one as they are cheaper and portion it out to save money.
- If you can create some time, start a small garden, even if it’s just herbs on the window sill. As a working mom on 9-5 schedule, it will save you the time it would take you to go to a grocery store.
- Look for things on lower shelves as they are cheaper. Stores put more expensive things on eye height shelves to draw your attention. The items on the lower shelves are cheaper in price.
- Pick items at the back/bottom of the shelf, basket, tray, etc. They are the freshest and will give you the best deal.
- Compare prices by price per unit instead of comparing full price.
- Sign up for the store rewards card. You will save up on points and redeem them later with groceries
- Make your weekly grocery shopping easier and faster by using online grocery shopping. juts create your life and order online through services that offer delivery.
- Check on the clearance section of the store for items marked as damaged/ about to expire, such as day-old bread, and ripped boxes / crushed cans. The prices are usually reduced by up to 75% yet the produce is ok if you use it within a couple of days.
- The outer edges of the store tend to have healthier, frozen items. The inner aisles tend to be where most of the junk food is concentrated. Knowing this will make your grocery shopping easier, and faster.
- Just because it’s on sale, doesn’t mean that you need it. Similarly, just because it’s on sale, doesn’t mean it’s a deal. Know the average price for an item and buy accordingly. Learn to find relevant information on the tags and stick to the best value, not the best price.
- Sometimes there are multiple versions of an item in different areas of the store with different prices. Check and pick the cheapest to save on cost.
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