Shopping Tips

Take a few minutes to apply these shopping tips and you'll find that your trips through the grocery store aisles are quicker and cheaper.

Making a List

A grocery list speeds your shopping, ensures that you buy everything you need, and limits impulse buying. Here's how to put a list together.

• Make your list as you plan your weekly menus. Be sure to include how much of each food you need as well as the can and package sizes.


• Hang a tablet or small notebook in your kitchen for keeping an ongoing shopping list. Jot down items as you use them up and ask the rest of your family to do the same.


• If you're running low on any staples, add them to your list.


• Check newspaper food ads. You may be able to plan several meals around the weekly specials.


• Divide your shopping list into categories, arranging the categories in the order that they appear in your store, include categories such as produce, dairy products, meat, canned foods, frozen foods, breads and cereals, beverages, baking products, paper products, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, and miscellany.


• Besides foods and amounts needed, list advertised specials (note the prices and brands of the specials).


• Mark any items for which you have coupons ready before you go to the store. When you get to the store, however, compare prices to see if the specials or the coupon Brand is really the best buy.


• Once you're in the store, stick to your shopping list and avoid impulse purchases. But keep your eyes open for unadvertised specials. Plan to buy fruits and vegetables in season and other needed items on sale at lower-than-usual prices.