By Alyssa Fort
Some people may feel grocery shopping is really nerve wracking. It’s a task that is sometimes either put off or avoided altogether. Though, grocery shopping no longer needs to be avoided.
Here are some tips that can help relieve the stresses of grocery shopping.
Prioritize – Only buy what you need! You don’t need four boxes of cookies just because they are buy one get one free.
Make a list – Lists help you get in and out of the grocery store. They help you focus on what you need so you aren’t too distracted by the sale signs flashing unnecessary snacks at you.
Split your shopping – Different stores have different sales. Publix and Walmart are always in price competition but whichever one you chose should depend specifically on what you need to buy. So maybe buy snacks at Walmart and meats and fruits at Publix.
Buy things that will last – Five boxes of hot pockets won’t last as long as you think. Instead of buying several small things, buy a few large things. For example, two packs of chicken breasts with five breasts in each pack will last longer than five boxes of hot pockets with three hot pockets in each pack.
Think Green – Popeye’s favorite vegetable was spinach. This most likely isn’t the case for everyone. Even if you really despise vegetables, they are good for you in so many ways. Try to find a vegetable you slightly like and spruce it up with some seasonings. Sautéed asparagus and kale are my personal favorites.
Think Green II- “Paper or plastic?” is more than just a question. It is a decision that believe it or not, has a massive effect on the Earth. Plastic bags take centuries to dissolve after ending up in landfills while paper decomposes not only easier but faster. Paper bags are also made of recycled material so they can be reused forever!
Grocery Store Do’s & Don’ts
Do: Check sales ahead of time
Don’t: Go without knowing what you need
Do: Think about if you really need something
Don’t: Just throw it in the cart because it looks good
Do: Research before you buy something new
Don’t: Purchase something just because it’s on sale
Do: Shop earlier in the day
Don’t: Shop at peak times when it’s packed and annoying
Do: Try samples!. It’s free food.
Don’t: Take 30 samples – sharing is caring
