Grocery Shopping Tips and Tricks

Some people love doing it, while others hate it – yes, you guessed it right, we are talking about grocery shopping.

Grocery shopping is a time-consuming process which requires you to put in a lot of effort. From budgeting to picking the right items, the nitty gritty of grocery shopping can spin your head.

Grocery shopping on a budget is something that people assume is difficult. There is also another notion that you cannot buy food items on a budget that you enjoy. Do not worry because we are here to prove these wrong.

Having said that, following are some tips for shopping on a budget:

1. Make a List

The first and most important thing you should do before going on a grocery run is to make a list of all the grocery items you need. Making a list will help you have a clear mind and will make it easy for you to pick the items that you need without wasting much time.

Also keep a pencil/pen with you so that you can cross the item from the list as soon as you buy it.

2. Know the Aisles Well

The importance of having a home grocery list increases when you know the aisles of the grocery store. Once you start visiting the store, gradually you will know what is the arrangement of the store, meaning which items are kept in which aisle.

When you are making a grocery list, you can mention the number of aisle in front of each item.

3. Check the Expiry Date

Whenever you pick an item when you are grocery shopping, make sure you check its expiry date.

There are times when grocery stores have kept expired products in the racks and you wouldn’t want to be the one who buys it. Do you?

4. Buy Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

There are some people who buy groceries on a monthly basis, while others choose to do it on a weekly basis. No matter which lot you belong to, make sure you buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

Keeping vegetables and fruits for a long time causes them to go stale which means your money goes down the drain. To save your money and enjoy fresh food, make sure you buy fresh fruits and vegetables in small quantities.

If you want to buy fresh fruits, you can visit OLX Pakistan’s website.

5. Buy Non-Perishable Items in Bulk

Non-perishable items can be bought in bulk. Even though this is not compulsory, it will save you from frequent shopping trips.

Items like dried fruits, cooking oil, whole grains, sauces, cereals, juices, etc can be bought in bulk; however, make sure you check their expiry dates.

6. Stay Away From Impulse Buying

A grocery store has all kinds of items. You may need some and may not need others. The trick here is to stay away from impulse buying. With different kinds of things surrounding you, you may be tempted to buy different things, but do not give in to temptation.

If the thought is too strong and you feel like you need a certain item, make a note of it. If the feeling persists till the next time you visit the grocery store, then purchase it.

7. Limit Buying Ready-to-Cook Items

Convenience is good until you have to pay extra bucks for it. Go to the ready-made items section only if you are willing to pay more. If you are willing to cook for yourself, there is nothing better than that.

8. Shop During Slow Days/Hours

A crowded grocery store is not only overwhelming but it also requires you to spend a lot of time than you would probably do otherwise. One of the smartest grocery shopping tips that you can follow is avoiding peak hours and weekends.