Grocery Shopping Tips

Yesterday I went grocery shopping. As I was coming home I thought it might be fun to do a post about how I make grocery shopping a little easier for me. So for anyone who cares:

My Grocery Shopping Tips:

1. We keep a magnetic list on the fridge that can be added to whenever we see or think of something we need.

2. Every other week I make meal plans for the next two weeks (I like to only go grocery shopping every other week). Then I go through the plans and add all the ingredients I need to the list.

3. I keep a small notebook so that I can organize my list more effectively. Instead of running all over the store with the list from the fridge, I use the notebook to put the items on my list order of the store sections I know them to be in.

4. I go through my coupons and select the ones I need for that week and put them in a pocket in the little notebook so they are easy to access at the store.

5. Once I get to the store, I start at the back and work my way to the front.

6. Once I have all my items I go to the checkout. I organize my items on the checkout belt as well. I put frozen stuff together, cold stuff, dry goods ext. This makes it easier to unpack once I get home.

7. I bring reusable bags. Not so much because I am all "green" and whatnot, but mostly because more food can fit in each bag and the handles are longer, making the bags easier to carry and allowing me to take fewer trips.

In the past I have hated grocery shopping. Now that I am enjoying cooking so much I hate it less but I still want it to be as painless as possible. So, as with a lot of things I do, I prepare so I can make things easier for me in the long run:)