Smart tips to consider when grocery shopping

Shopping for groceries can feel like a hassle, especially when you have a long shopping list to go through. From deciding what you are low on, to packing and unpacking the trolley, these are tasks that require time and effort.

To save you time, we’ve put together a few tips that will help you shop smarter and cut down on the time you spend unpacking groceries and looking for that tub of Flora margarine you were sure you put in one of the shopping bags but forgot which one.

Whether you shop for groceries weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, these tips will come in handy the next time you shop:

Make Space

Based on your shopping list, you should have an idea of how many items you are purchasing. How many of them will be stored in the fridge, freezer and pantry? If you are stocking up on fresh fruit or Flora, make space within your fridge or kitchen cupboard for the newer groceries. As you prepare your meals for the week, put ingredients you will use in the next week, at the front of the fridge so that you are able to easily grab and use them when needed. The last thing you need is to look for items you purchased two days ago that have been stored in the back of the fridge and hidden by the other groceries.

Start with the heavier items first

Avoid buying smaller items first such as bread that will easily get crushed at the bottom of the basket. As you enter the store, go first to the aisle with heavier products such as meats and juices.

If you are a bulk shopper, you probably find yourself browsing through catalogues regularly to sift through the latest deals. Buying in bulk, especially on items that are discounted can save you money, however, if you purchase too many items, you may discover that you don’t have enough storage space. Storing several blocks of cheese in the fridge can cause it to get mouldy before you use them. Make use of the freezer and store dairy products in the freezer to save space in your fridge.

Organise your trolley

As you shop, organise the groceries based on the wet and dry ingredients. If you are purchasing meat, stack all the meat together. Fresh herbs and dairy products can be organised together since they’ll be stored together when you unpack, while sunflower oil can be packed with cereals and cans. When you get to the till the cashier will scan these items together and you can place them in your shopping bag in an organised fashion.

Make shopping an easy exercise – with these tips and tricks, you’re sure to enjoy your next trip to the grocery store.