How to Create a Grocery Shopping List, Save Money, and Shop Efficiently

Last Updated on: 26th August 2024, 07:19 pm

EFFICIENCY

Grocery Shopping is never truly a joy - would you agree? As a chef I spend countless hours in supermarkets, and over time, I’ve found ways to shop more efficiently. I wanted to share some of these tips with you.

It mostly comes down to proper planning and knowing your way around the supermarket. If I am shopping at a supermarket that I am unfamiliar with, it can take me double the time to find everything that I need. Do you ever find yourself walking in circles, either trying to figure out what you need or overlooking items because you don’t know where to find them? This is me in uncharted territory.

On top of that, nothing is worse than not being able to find a sales associate to help you. Even worse is finding someone who has no idea how to assist.

Expedition

These tips will benefit you and help expedite your grocery shopping process.

STEP 1: How to Create a Grocery Shopping List

First things first - make a list.

Think about what you want to cook and list the ingredients you’ll need. When you make your list, categorize it. This is key! Categorizing keeps you from walking in circles. Typically, when you enter a supermarket, produce is the first thing you see—fruits first, then vegetables, followed by potatoes and onions. This layout is fairly universal. The colorful produce always puts me in a better mood!

When making my list, I start by labeling categories, beginning with produce and ending with frozen items. Even if I don’t need something from every section, I list all categories. Household cleaning products and toiletries go under “Misc.” It’s not necessary, but it can also help to list quantities, especially for large dinner parties.

Step 2: Fill in Your Grocery Shopping List

Now that my list is written, I start filling it in. As a private chef, when shopping for a client, I write down every ingredient I need. Once my list is complete, I cross-check it against ingredients I already have and cross off any items I don’t need to purchase. Then, I double-check my list to ensure I haven’t missed anything.

An organized grocery list makes shopping much swifter!

Now that I've made my list and checked it twice, I'm ready to shop!

How to Go Grocery Shopping Efficiently: Top Grocery shopping tips!

Here are my top grocery shopping tips to help you shop smart, save big, and make your trip more efficient:

📝 Plan Ahead: Create a detailed shopping list to avoid forgetting items and making unnecessary purchases.
- Pro Tip: Organize your list by store sections (e.g., produce, dairy, frozen, dry goods) to minimize backtracking.

🕒 Shop Off-Peak: Early mornings or weekdays are ideal for quicker trips.

💡 Perimeter Focus: Fresh and healthier options like produce, meats, and dairy are typically found around the store’s perimeter.
- Pro Tip: Start shopping here to prioritize whole, unprocessed foods before heading to the inner aisles.

❄️ Freezer Items Last: Pick up frozen foods at the end of your trip to keep them cold until you get home.

🍞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐈𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬: keep a designated area solely for these items—perhaps in the storage area underneath your cart or in the baby seat section.

🛍 Unit Price Check: Bigger isn’t always better—compare prices per ounce for the best deals.

🔍 Bulk Smartly: Buy in bulk for non-perishables or items you use frequently.

🌟 Look for Deals: Take advantage of store apps for coupons and weekly discounts.

🔄 Stay Flexible: Stick to your list, but be ready to grab unexpected deals when they pop up.

📱 Snap Receipts for Rewards: Use apps like Fetch to snap receipts and earn points on purchases.

💳 Use a Rewards Credit Card: Pay with a credit card that offers rewards or cash back on groceries to maximize savings.

🚶‍♂️ Efficient Checkout: While checking out, load your groceries on the belt grouped together in the order you’d like them bagged. This will help you stock your groceries more efficiently when you get home.

♻️ Reusable Bags: Don’t forget your reusable grocery bags!

🙌 Lend a Hand: If you can, help the cashier bag your groceries—it speeds up the process for everyone.

Shop Smart and Save Big!

Time-Saving Tips for Grocery Shopping: Avoid Wasting Time in Aisles

If your list looks like the one below, you’re likely walking in circles, blocking aisles with your shopping cart, and constantly rereading your list. While your currents system may work for you, I'd personally prefer to invest my time elsewhere.

One more thing—never go to the supermarket on an empty stomach! I hope these tips make a difference in your shopping routine. Maybe you've already been doing some of these things; either way, thanks for reading!