Saving Time at the Grocery Store
May 6, 2008 by Karen Weideman
Filed under time management, time saving
I had a problem. When I went to the grocery store I had to take my 2-year-old with me. My little boy is normally very well behaved but for some reason, whenever we walk into a grocery store he starts acting as though he’s never been in public before.
As you can imagine, grocery store visits were taking a lot of time. I had my grocery list from the grocery game and my coupons, and I was trying to find the best deals while dealing with a 2-year-old. I decided I’d better find a quicker way to get out of the store.
Here’s what I did to save time:
First, I looked over The Grocery Game list for the week. I printed off only the items that I was interested in purchasing.
Next, I matched and clipped the coupons to the items I was going to buy at rock bottom prices and some other coupons I was interested in using.
I separated the coupons that I definitely wanted to use from the coupons that I might use. The coupons I might use depended on price per item and if I have reached my 20 double coupon limit at the store.
I wrote a list of the things I wanted to buy and put the list in order, according to how the store was arranged. I also put my coupons in order by my list.
Now when I walk through the grocery store my list is in order and I’m not fumbling through coupons. These few extra minutes at home of putting things in order have saved me at least 30 minutes in the store. This makes Cuddlebug and me much happier.
What do you think of this system? Do you have some tips for saving time at the grocery store?
Images by me. See more Works for Me Wednesday ideas.
Cool! I’ve been thinking about trying the Grocery Game for a few weeks. Thinking about it for a few weeks, that is, not trying it for a few weeks. Anyhoo, I’d love to hear what you think of it.
Does it save you money? Is it worth the time and effort of clipping coupons? We don’t eat a lot of boxed foods, are the deals mostly for processed type things? I have some food issues so our meals are usually more ‘make it from scratch’ types.
On the other hand, I have five children so we go through a LOT of groceries. Any savings would help.
Thanks for sharing!
Duckabush Blog
Hi Kathy. If you’ll click on The Grocery Game category in the box to the top right, you’ll find other posts about TGG savings. I also have one that tells how to play TGG. The savings are great. I have such a stockpile, that I don’t do the list every week. I haven’t shopped with the list in about a month, so I need to do it next week and get back on track. Thanks for dropping by.
My issue was whipping out the calculator to do the price per lb thing. My son always wanted the calculator blackberry to call someone! So I finally gave in and gave him a dollar store one, which he promptly pulled the buttons off of…I’ve been working on a spreadsheet for best prices at multiple stores and some friends have loaned me theirs to make it quicker. Since we get a lot of the same stuff, it was really nice not to have to enter everything myself! Why reinvent the wheel. right?
DramaMama: I like the idea of sharing a lost cost spreadsheet. That’s a good tip! Thanks!
OMG karen…you ARE soooooo organized!!!! does it take you along time to get this all figured out? i know what you mean about little ones in the store!!! i had been asking one of my older daughters to do the shopping for me and she would take one of little girls with her. i finally had her stop taking the little skittle with her because it was costing alot more (she can’t resist giving into her and she would come home with stuff like a cool cup; a book; a ball; a shovel; a bat and ball, etc…..adding about 10 bucks onto my grocery bill…lol).
mom_of_14: I don’t feel very organized. Don’t peek at my basement. lol
It doesn’t take long to get the hang of the system. Once I figured out TGG system, I was able to implement some organizing strategies to help me shorten my grocery store time. It certainly is worth the few extra minutes at home to not spend another 30-45 minutes at the store frustrated and fussing at your kid.
What a great time and money saver – I’m going to have to try this!
Our store only doubles coupons up to fifty cents. You’re lucky!
I have used the GG for over a year and love it!! It took a bit to change my way of shopping, but everything I buy is on sale now and I spend about 100.00 a week for a family of five!
We do this exactly except I only shop at 1 store (except I added CVS onto our GG) and my husband and I built a spreadsheet with the categories in order of layout of the store at top and days of the week at bottom. I make a menu with GG & the weekly ad and put each meal at the bottom & list out the items in its category. This way I take a quick glance at the menu to make sure I don’t forget anything and i keep it for the week on the fridge as my menu. I spend an average of probably about $85 a week & sometimes am able to skip a week after I get stocked up with the great deals.