When you’re busy, grocery shopping can often feel like a time sink, with hours lost to packed aisles, long lines at the register, and trying to figure out what you need. If you find yourself dreading the weekly grocery shop or needing to go multiple times a week, it might be time to try new tactics to save time on grocery shopping and make it feel less like a chore.
Outlined below are 7 easy tips to save time on grocery shopping so you can spend less time in-store and more time doing what you love. As an added bonus, when you don’t put it off or avoid it altogether, you’ll save money and eat healthier meals at home more consistently. All good things!
1. Go During Off-Hours
One of the biggest ways to make shopping take longer than it needs to is by going during peak hours. For most stores, this means Saturday and Sunday mornings or between 3 and 6 pm during the week, when everyone is rushing through the store to grab dinner items. Lines are longer, and the aisles are more crowded.
If your schedule allows, try going early in the morning or after the dinner hour in the evening. Most stores are quiet then, and there are almost no lines at the register. My favorite time is right when our local grocery store opens at 7 am—it’s almost always quiet, with no lines, and employees are available to help if you need it. When my kids were little, I often went to a local store that stayed open until 9:30 pm, after they were in bed. Although I sometimes felt tired doing this, it was much faster to shop without the kids.
2. Always Shop With a List
Whether you use a service like The Dinner Daily or create your own list, getting through the store quickly means having a plan before you walk in. Your list should come from your meal plan for the week, and if you need help getting started, check out this article. A list keeps you focused while shopping, prevents wandering up and down every aisle (including aisles you don’t need), and keeps your cart lean and your trip quick.
Organize your list by categories so you can go directly to each department without backtracking. If you’re a Dinner Daily member, you already have this done for you!
3. Take Advantage of Pre-Packaged Items
If you often find yourself waiting at the meat or fish counter, check if your store offers pre-portioned or pre-packaged meats and seafood near the counters. Typically, these items are the same as those in the display case, but you won’t have to wait to get them weighed and wrapped. This lets you skip the counter and save time on every trip.
4. Order Bulky Essentials Online
I love this tip! Rather than spending time buying non-perishable items like paper towels, cleaning supplies, or pet food in-store, try ordering them online for delivery, or make a monthly trip to stock up. This frees up time in the store, makes your cart easier to manage, and saves time lugging bulky items in and out of the car.
I keep a running list for paper goods, cleaning supplies, dog food, and other non-perishables that I order from Target for free delivery when I’m running low. This way, my grocery store runs focus on fresh food and a few essential grocery items. This makes everything quicker—shopping, checking out, and loading everything in and out of your car. Give it a try!
5. Keep a Running List Throughout the Week
Adding items to your list as you run out prevents those “what do I need?” moments in the store. If you’re following Tip #2 above, you’ll already have a list ready before shopping. Keeping a running list of essentials you use regularly—like cleaning supplies, paper goods, and breakfast or lunch items—saves you from trying to remember it all while making your list and shopping.
To make it easy, keep the list in a spot where everyone in the household can add to it, like on the fridge or in a shared digital note. If you’re a Dinner Daily member, you and your family can add items directly to your shopping list by category. Then, before you head to the store or shop online, you won’t have to spend mental energy trying to think through it all. And if you’re shopping when you’re tired, this can be a huge time saver!
6. Stick to a Familiar Store
When you shop at the same store regularly, you’ll know the layout by heart. Familiarity helps you get in and out faster since you don’t have to search for items or figure out where things are. Shopping at a different store can mean extra time searching and backtracking.
7. Shop Once Per Week
This is a HUGE time-saver. Besides saving time in the store, shopping only once per week saves time overall. Multiple trips mean more time spent figuring out what you need each time, more time driving, and more time in the store. It all adds up.
If you’re used to going every few days, try making it a once-a-week habit. With a bit of planning, it’s very doable, and you’ll love the freedom from extra store trips. This simple shift can truly save you hours each week and make a big difference in your routine. Plus, by using the other tips above, sticking to this habit will become even easier!
With a bit of planning and these time-saving tips, grocery shopping doesn’t need to be a time-consuming task that eats up valuable weekend time. When you know how to save time grocery shopping, you’ll be able to cut down your trips, streamline your list, and focus on what matters most.
