Making a plan

My grocery list is getting longer as the holidays approach.  Awhile back I mentioned my problem with grocery shopping and was reassured by your comments that I was not alone.  Apparently grocery shopping is a brain drain for many of us who’ve had aneurysms. Perhaps we could share some helpful hints?

What seems to work best for me is timing and mapping. After struggling through the exhaustion of Cub and Rainbow, I decided to shop at a grocery store that was more manageable in size yet moderate in price. Because I live in White Bear Lake, I chose Festival.

Using grid paper from my son’s days in geometry, I created a rough map of the store starting at the entrance (flower mart, quick deli and bulk sales), ending at the checkout (bakery and books).  It’s a general map, and items aren’t always shelved logically, so it’s not perfect. But it helps.

At home, I take my list and reorganize it on 3×5 cards using the map. The first 3×5 card includes the bulk sales and fresh produce.  The next one takes care of half of the aisles in order. Another card lists meat and dairy. The last lists snacks, freezer, and bakery items. If I have coupons, I clip them onto the cards.

I’ve learned that, by taking extra time at home mapping my list to the store, I spend much less time traipsing up and down the aisles. In fact, I can skip some of the aisles depending on the list. As for backtracking through the store for something missed or forgotten?  It almost never happens anymore.  The exception, of course, is when items get moved (sigh).  Or I need something the store considers unusual and it is shelved in an illogical place. 

As for timing, I try to shop for groceries on weekdays before the 9-5 crowd gets there.  I’ve been known to drive to the store, see a full parking lot, turn the car around and drive back home.  Why ask for trouble? There’s always another day and time to shop.

I didn’t like grocery shopping before my brain blew up and I sure don’t like it now.  If you have any helpful hints that YOU’VE learned, I love to hear them. Surely there’s a way we survivors can help each other ease the brain drain.