Hey mamas! This post is for those of you who dread going to the grocery store, especially with kids. It’s not that we don’t love our kids and it’s not that they’re not fun; but trips to the store with kids can 1. take twice as long as expected, 2. be no fun at all for the kids (unless we gave them everything they wanted, which would be SO much easier but ah, not very possible or beneficial), and 3. be headache inducing what with all the things you need to think about and questions you have to answer before being able to run home. Trust me, I understand this feeling even with a little one, so I’ve come up with tips to help my fellow mamas make trips to the grocery store as painless as possible. Here they are:
1 Make a list!
I can’t stress enough how important this is for getting in and out of the grocery store! Whether it’’s on paper or on your phone (check out this awesome list-making app I wrote about here) take a list with you so that you know exactly where you’re headed and what you need before you find yourself standing in the isle wondering how you’re doing on toilet paper.
2 Order your list by store location
I’ve found that most grocery stores are organized in a somewhat similar loop. You walk in and you have your produce, near that is canned goods, then every single isle in the middle where you’ll find cereal and baking goods (etc.). Sandwich meat will be on the back wall and dairy and bread will be on the opposite side from where you started. Putting your list in order by location in the store will either save you time having to run back and forth for items or simply just make it easier to find what’s next on the list in the area closest to you.
3 Decide ahead of time which check out line will be fastest for you (self check-out or those hosted by a cashier).
If you’re planning on just running in and out of the store with 1 or 2 things, then self check out is the way to go fo sho. BUT if you’ve got a full cart (no matter if you think it’ll be faster if you just do it yourself) a cashiered check-out line is probably your fastest bet. Some (not all, sadly) are getting great at training fast cashiers and will even have an attendant there to put your bags back in the cart for you; in which case, a hosted cashier line is definitely the way to go!
4 Have coupons ready.
When I get in go-mode (which is about 50% of the time) I tend to notice when others are not in go-mode like me. This can be so frustrating when the shopper in font of me in line is taking their time scanning each product, rummaging through their purse for coupons, their credit card, then taking about 5 years to get their bags and move on. (To be honest, they’re probably going at a normal pace; it’s probably just my heightened senses from over coffee consumption and stress that’s making me watch their every slow move). ANYWAY, my point is, don’t be that person. Think about your sequence of events, what you’ll need ready, what to put on the conveyer belt first (e.i. the heavy bulky things) so that the bread and eggs don’t get squished.
5 Make sure to check out the people in line in front of you!
I’m not jsut saying count the number of customers in line in front of you, but really creep on them! See how much stuff they have in their basket. There may be one person in front of you who decided to do a month’s worth of shopping in one trip or 3 people who are just buying what they need for dinner that night. Odds are, those who popped in for just a few things want to get out of there quick like you and will be the faster line.
So there you have it! 5 tips that will get you in and out of the grocery store in a snap! Take it from a mama who is a pro at go-mode 😉
Got some tips that can help the other mamas (and me) get in and out of the store in a jiffy? Share them here! And before you go, take the time to subscribe or follow for more tips to make moms even more awesome!
Ugh, one of my biggest downfalls when going grocery stopping is not being prepared with a list! I always get in there and start to feel so overwhelmed.
PS I love the colors and design of your blog!
I seriously needed these tips. I can go in for shampoo and come out with half the store. Thanks for sharing!
Having a list is also huge for saving money on your groceries! I also make note on my list which items I have coupons for and the specifics so I don’t have to pull out the coupons to double check the details to make sure I get the right items!
I feel like I always get in the wrong checkout lane no matter how hard I try to choose the fastest one LOL.
I always try and prepare by making a list but half the time I leave it at home!
Love these tips. I feel like I’m always in “go-mode” so it’s so frustrating when someone takes 10 minutes to dig through their purse. Unless they have little ones with them. Then I can let it slide. Also, I’m always creepin on the other shoppers in front of me to see which line to get in. And the cashiers haha
Boy do I need to follow these tips! It literally takes me FOREVER! I guess I get it from my dad because it takes him around 3 hours every time. Thankfully it doesn’t take me THAT long!
Great tips! I always have to make sure to have everything (list, coupons) if the kids are with me because I can’t think with them. Just have to grab and go.
Ah the list. I forget mine half the time. Annoying. Great tips. 🙂
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Good tips! I definitely try to use these!
I’m just now starting to get into couponing, and I really need to get more organized about my grocery trips because I am desperate to save money. I just bought a house, and going to the store and just buying whatever catches my fancy is a bad way to go about things.
I need to start writing my list on my phone or taping it to my forhead. I always write one and then leave it behind accidentally!
I always try to go to the store when I -think- everyone is busy at work or at home. It annoys me to no end when I run in for milk and end up cornered in the refrigerated section by someone I haven’t seen in 5 minutes. At least if I’m stuck in the checkout line I feel like I’m heading toward the finish line!
I have always written my list by order in the store, my husband thought I was nuts!
Good tips. I think no matter what I always pick the wrong check out line! I either go to self check out and each item requires cashiers help or I get the slowest line ever!!
Great list! I always creep on the people in front of me and the cashiers. When you go to the same stores all the time you know who’s quick and who’s poking around. And, I always make a list. I don’t bring it with me but I always have a list. It looks so nice and organized waiting for me on the counter when I come home without half of the things on it 😉
Great tips! Suggestion: darken your default font color. This was very hard to read on my phone.
I am a die hard list maker. And coupon wacko. I had 87 coupons on my last trip and I swear I thought my cashier was going to smack me. HA!
Sara’s Organized Chaos
Making a list and not shopping on an empty stomach is an absolute must for me. Without those, I would be in the store for hours. Thanks for sharing your list.
It’s such a good idea to list it according to department! I always end up missing something when I don’t and have to go all the way back across the store!
This is great! We go shopping as a family and I must confess my husband does all but #2. It still seems to take forever, so I will have to suggest he puts the list in order. I would also add that if you shop with children to bring snacks, cup, and toys. This allows us to keep our daughter happy in the cart so we can make it through! Thank you for your tips!
With kids, these tips are a must! Love this post, thanks for sharing! 😉
great tips…One thing I may add would be not to bring kids with you.
I’m a grocery store wonderer. Just get in there and browse around. Love the tips on how to make my visit a little shorter.
i like the idea about checking it out online prior to going to the store.
Great post, Chels! I really need to up my coupon game. Like, I never use them…and I know I should!
Shopping at off-peak times, if possible, is another tip.
Yes, yes, yes. I do all of these things and it’s makes the weekly shopping trip SO MUCH easier!! I’ll be the first to testify that all of these tips are so true! haha
Great tips! I love shopping, but sorta hate grocery shopping, so these ideas will come in handy to get me in and out faster!
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