Learn How to Save Time and Money at the Grocery Store

Are you tired of spending too much time and money at the grocery store?

No matter how hard you try, when you look at your bill, you cannot understand how a quick trip turned into a shopping spree.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.

The grocery store can be an overwhelming place. It is designed to make you want to buy things, YOU DON’T NEED. The quicker you understand this, the quicker you will cut back on the time you spend at the grocery store and enjoy some savings ($).

So how can you successfully avoid spending your entire day and all your money at the grocery store?

Here are five simple things you can do to stay in control the next time you visit the grocery store.

1. Eat a Snack

Before you leave your house, make sure you have a snack. You do not want to go to the grocery store hungry.

When we are hungry, we think with our stomach, not our brain (LOL seriously, that’s how I feel). If you go to the store hungry, you are more likely to buy items out of both impulse and hunger, not out of necessity.

2. Avoid the Following Three Isles

Bread Isle: This isle is tricky because it usually includes nut butter. Get in and get out. If bread is one of your triggers and you know you can’t say no, have someone else at the grocery store get the butter you need (peanut butter, almond butter, etc.).

Find out the delivery day for your supermarket, and go the following morning.

The grocery store staff are happy to help, so they say. If you must have some bread, Ezekiel bread is a good alternative because it is made of organic grains instead of bleached flour.

Sweets: Just don’t. There is nothing you need on this line. NOTHING. Keep it moving and stay away from all this processed sugar.

If you are craving for something sweet, you can always get more fruits. If you are in the process of weeding yourself, try to focus on minimizing the amount of processed sweets you buy.

Try your best to avoid this aisle like the plague.

Did you know Hershey’s chocolate can cause laxative effects? This is listed on their label. Another reason why reading those label is very important.

Sodas and juices: I know you might not be happy about this one, but this is for your own good. Leave the sugary drinks alone. This also includes some of your favorite juices.

A lot of people buy juice because they think it is healthier than sodas (or pop depending on where you are from), but the reality is you can’t substitute one for the other. Both of these drinks have a lot of processed sugar and a whole lot of other “stuff.”

You have to remember to read those labels. Here are two labels to put things in perspective. Just look at the ingredients list, and you tell me what you think about that endless list of code names for processed sugar.

Fix your juice craving by making freshly squeezed juice or drink infused water.

3. Do Most of Your Shopping in the Produce Section

You are what you eat. Follow the 80 / 20 rule and purchase 80% of your food in the produce aisle. This way you will be able to easily avoid the isles mentioned above. Plus, your body will thank you for that. The beauty of produce is that they are overwhelmingly not processed.

If you are wondering what should do about organic vs. non-organic, the answer is a little tricky. If your budget allows it, feel free to buy organic products, if not, just focus on eating more produce.

The most important part of this process is that you start where you at. When I began this journey, I did not worry about what I couldn’t do; I focused on what I could afford and control. I spent a lot of time making small changes, moving at my own pace, and over time it helped me get to where I am today.

4. Go in the Morning

The early bird gets the worm, right? Sure. I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that going to the grocery store early in the morning is a game changer.

Find out what day the store receives its delivery each week, and go the following morning. This way you can get fresh products and get your day started.

If you cannot go in the morning, try your hardest to go in the afternoon the day after your local grocery store received the deliveries.

5. Have a Plan

This is the most important element of grocery shopping like a boss. Before you leave your house, write down everything you need to get. Go through your recipes and make sure you do not forget anything.

Then make sure you stick to your list. This what it comes down to. This part of the process will teach you to start saying no. No to products, no to the kids, no to your partner and no to yourself. These are the changes you have to start making to help you eat healthier.

We all know this is not easy. That is why you should be open to compromise. As you start making healthier decisions around what you eat, be gentle with yourself.

Understand that change won’t come overnight, some days you will be frustrated and others you will feel unstoppable. And that’s ok! It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.

Can you do me a quick favor?

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