How to Make Grocery Shopping Easier

We all go to our local grocery store at least once a week, if not more. Some people actually enjoy the experience, but most people find this process to be a horrible chore that must be done.

Finding what you need, spending more money than expected, and standing on long lines are usually the largest obstacles that people face. But there are some things that you can do for yourself and for your fellow shoppers that will improve everyone's overall experience and, hopefully, get you out of the store a bit faster and with a little more money left in your pockets.

1. Have a list and stick to it!

Make a list before you go to the store, and don't deviate from what you have on your list. This will save you time and money if you are following a specific budget. A good idea if you are a coupon clipper is to make your list based off of what coupons you have rather than just what you need. If you are very familiar with your local grocery store's layout, make that list out in the order that you would find the items--this will save you a lot of time once in the store. Limit yourself to picking up "off-list" items to those items that are on a great deal (buy one get one free or sales that offer you 50% or more in savings).

2. Not sure where something is? Ask!

Most employees are familiar with the layout of the store, especially the people you see stocking the shelves. Even if they don't know exactly where it is, most will be courteous enough to find out for you. If you can't find an employee to ask where something is, ask a fellow shopper! We've all been there--not knowing where something is--and you'd be amazed how friendly and helpful the other shoppers are in the store. If you feel embarrassed, just think about the amount of time you'll save by not having to walk up and down every aisle in the store.

3. Don't chit-chat in the aisles.

We all run into people we know at the grocery store, and no one says you shouldn't talk to them. But for the courtesy of others shopping in the store, move your conversation to the sides of the aisle. Again, we've all experienced trying to walk down an aisle and not being able to pass two people with their carts blocking the aisle as they catch up on the latest in each others' lives. And it's an awkward situation when you have to excuse yourself as you try to get passed them, so keep in mind that other people need to get through the aisles. If we all follow this simple "rule" we could get through the store a bit faster.

4. Looking for the best deal at the Deli or Bakery counters...Ask!

Instead of looking through all the various foods trying to figure out what the best deal is going to be can take some time. The clerks who work at these counters are the ones who label the prices on everything, so they are your best resource for the best deals. Don't feel intimidated by asking questions.

5. Save time at the specialty counters by not waiting there.

If you are ordering a variety of meats and cheeses from the Deli counter or a special order from the Bakery, you don't have to wait there for them to be prepared. Make this your first stop on your shopping travels. Place your order and let the clerk know that you'll return to pick up your order. The same thing goes for when you have to get a prescription filled at the pharmacy (if your grocery store offers this service). This will save you more time that you probably realize!

6. Make sure you've got everything.

Want to shed another minute or two off your waiting in line and reduce a little stress in the process? Before you get on line use the list you created (Tip #1) and check through it to make sure you've gotten everything you needed. It's one of the worst feelings to be on line and realize that you've forgotten something (usually eggs or milk). What's worse than that feeling is having to squeeze past the people on line behind you to make that desperate dash to find the item that you've forgotten.

7. Know what line you're getting onto.

Most stores offer express check-out lines. These lines have limitations on how many items you can bring and what type of payments they can take, and you should be aware of this before you get on these lines. When there are long lines at the regular lanes it can be tempting to get on one of the express check-outs that usually have short or no lines, but there is a reason for this. Bringing 12 items to a line that specifies 10 items or less is not a problem, but getting on one of these lines with a cart full of $300 worth of groceries can cause an issue with someone who comes up with a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk. From a customer service stand-point the cashier cannot ask you to leave the express line with your excessive groceries, so it is left to the discretion of the consumer to know better.

8. Have your payment ready.

While the cashier is ringing up your order get your payment together. If you're paying with cash or by credit card pull your wallet out while your item is being rung up. If you're paying by check, start writing it out; you can fill out the date, the name of the store, any memo you need to note, and your signature before the total is reached, leaving just the amount to be filled in the end. Also with checks or credit cards, ask if your identification (most often your driver's license) will be necessary; if it is, get it out before the cashier is done scanning your items into the register.

9. Coupons can save you money but can take up some time.

If your coupon is for a specific brand and a specific size, make sure you picked up what that coupon specifies. At checkout this will save you and the other people on line a lot of time. Good cashiers look at the coupons, and if you don't have the right product they will point that out to you. It will save everyone time if you don't have to run and pick up the right item or have the bagger run and get it for you (either way it holds up your check out). You'll also want to either present all your coupons at the beginning of the transaction (before the cashier starts ringing your items up) or as the cashier rings up the item(s) for your coupon(s). This is especially true for coupons that offer a "free" item, since the cashier needs to write the price of the item on the coupon in addition to having to enter the appropriate discount into the register. It will save you some time if the cashier doesn't have to scroll through your transaction to find the coupon item.

10. Bagging.

"Paper or plastic?" is not a question cashiers ask any longer. If you don't ask for paper they will automatically bag your groceries in the plastic bags, and waiting until after they have begun bagging your groceries to make the request for paper will have them unpacking your groceries to re-pack them in paper. With many people using the reusable bags today it again will save you time if you present your reusable bags at the beginning of your transaction--this avoids having to have your items re-bagged. If your cashier is working without someone to help with the bagging, jump in and help, especially if you have a very large order.