A Beginner’s Guide to Grocery Shopping

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When you walk into a grocery store, do you forge ahead with purpose, knowing exactly what you need and where to find it? Or do you feel uncertain and bewildered, like you missed the lesson on how to grocery shop?

It can be fun to choose from among all the different brands and products, but it’s not fun to open your fridge or pantry a few days later and wish you had planned your shopping trip a little better.

Even if the mere idea of grocery shopping gives you a sinking feeling, don’t despair! You can learn how to grocery shop like a pro in no time with these handy tips.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links and make a qualified purchase, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

How to Grocery Shop: Make A Plan Before You Go

The first secret in learning how to grocery shop is to start with a good plan. This will prevent you from starting out overwhelmed, and give you a concrete purpose when you enter the store.

Your plan should include three basic components: making a list of items you need, deciding where to shop, and planning the best time to shop.

How to Make a Shopping List

A shopping list is your number one defense mechanism against the efforts of the grocery store to part you from your money.

Even if you’re not much of a list person, this is one list that you will find very valuable. (Unless you like running back to the store every other day for something you forgot.)

So how do you make a shopping list?

Templates vs. free form

One option is to start with a template. These list basic categories of food (dairy, meat/ protein, produce) or even specific foods (milk, eggs, bread, apples). All you have to do is check off which items you need, and head to the store.

The purpose of these templates is to help you remember what you’re out of. They can be helpful if you often find yourself staring into a mostly-empty refrigerator wondering what’s supposed to be inside.

The drawbacks of using templates are that they are limited to basic foods and ingredients. Most templates will have extra spaces for you to write in items that aren’t on the list, but if you tend to eat a lot of different kinds of foods, such lists won’t be very helpful.

Trying to find a template that lists the foods YOU consider basics might prove a challenge, especially if you’re on a special diet (although I did find a very thorough vegan grocery list, if you’re into that). It’s so thorough that I wouldn’t want to bring such a long list to the store with me!

The other option is to make your own grocery list with a regular old pen and paper. I prefer this option because templates make me feel constrained in my food choices.

Prepare your shopping list

Whichever format you choose for your grocery list, the first step is to look through your pantry and refrigerator to see what you have and what you’re out of.

Wait, you say: how do I know what I need? Good question. Either you eat exactly the same foods every week, or you make a meal plan. Even a basic meal plan will give you some idea of the ingredients you’ll need for the week.

Can you go grocery shopping without a meal plan and grocery list? Yes, but it’s easier to end up with foods that don’t go together or too much lettuce that you end up throwing out when it rots.

Now that you know what foods you need, it’s time to organize your list.

Organize your list by department or aisle

Think about which side of the store you normally start at, and work your way to the other side mentally. Then write down items in the order that you will pass them.

This makes it easier to remember everything when you’re in the store. For example, I usually start in the dairy department, and end with produce (so it doesn’t get squished!).

If you’re new at this, you may need to write down all the items you need first, and then organize the list on a separate sheet of paper. That’s okay! You’ll get used to it quickly.

(One problem I still encounter occasionally is that I tend to write my list with one particular store in mind. Then if I decide to shop at a different store that week… oops! My list is out of order.)

Pick a Place to Shop

You might live in a one-horse town where there’s only one grocery store. But chances are, you live within driving distance of several different chain grocery stores, as well as other types of specialty stores or markets. If you do, then you need to make some decisions about where to shop.

Some people like to buy as much as they can from their local farmer’s market, and fill in the other items at a natural foods store. Others prefer larger chain supermarkets because they can find everything from apples to toothpaste in one place. Let’s look at the different places you can buy food and compare.

Supermarkets

These are usually chain stores. Their departments include not only food, but also toiletries, paper products, and more. (Sometimes much more, as in the case of mega-stores like Wal-Mart.)

Stores in this category include: Kroger, Safeway, Food Lion, Fred Meyer, Giant Eagle, Weis Market, Wal-Mart, and many more.

Benefits of shopping at supermarkets: it’s a one-stop shop. If you don’t like running all over town, you can find just about everything you need here.

Also, these stores usually post sales fliers online and in local newspapers, and many have loyalty programs which reward customers with gas discounts or rebates.

Drawbacks of supermarkets: the selection varies widely by store. Prices can be higher than bulk/wholesale stores. So many options in one place can be overwhelming- and can make you spend more than you planned.

Wholesale Stores

I’ve heard of people driving hours to shop at Sam’s Club or Costco. These stores sell their products in bulk for (theoretically) lower prices. Bulk packages can be anything from two gallons of milk to five gallons of pickles. (I’ve never bought those, but they are tempting!)

Benefits of wholesale stores: buying in bulk is handy when you’re shopping for a large family or a business, or if you like to keep pantry staples or paper products on hand. Bulk pricing is often lower- especially when these stores run sales. I’ve never seen a better price on maple syrup (in Alaska) than the sale price at Costco.

Drawbacks: these stores are members-only, and memberships have an annual fee. Where I live, the membership fee ranges from $60-$120 per year. You can always split a membership with a friend or family member, if you shop together.

Another thing to keep in mind is that bulk prices are not always lower than supermarket prices. Spotting deals just takes practice as you become more familiar with the cost of foods you commonly buy.

A good way to learn is by tagging along with an experienced shopper who knows what to look for. But sometimes you just have to decide for yourself whether it’s worth it to save 15 cents per pound on bananas when you have to buy two bunches at once.

Natural Foods Stores

These stores offer organic and natural selections, and often include local products when possible. There are a few larger chains like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, but many of these are locally-owned shops or co-ops.

Benefits of natural food stores: produce is fresher than supermarkets and often locally sourced. if it’s not local, they often list the origin. These stores tend to have bulk bins of spices, herbs, and other dry goods. These can be priced lower than similar non-organic items in supermarkets, because you’re not paying for packaging.

Drawbacks: you’re going to find higher prices here, although they often have good sales. The selection is also much more limited than a supermarket.

Discount Stores

These locally-owned “dent-n-bent” stores sell items that the supermarkets won’t. Either the packaging is damaged, or the “sell by”/ “best by” date is passed, or the item is seasonal or holiday-themed (and the holiday is over).

Note: Not all expired food is inedible. There is a difference between the terms “best by,” “sell by,” and “use by.”

• “Best by” refers to a time period during which the product will taste the freshest. After this date, it may lose flavor or texture, but is not unsafe to eat.

• “Sell by” refers to the time window the supermarket has to sell an item. They don’t want to sell food that’s on the verge of expiring, or their customers are likely to complain. This date ensures that products on their shelves are well within the window of proper flavor, texture, and edibility.

• “Use by” refers to the length of time perishable foods are safe to eat. You will often see this marked on packages of meat, for example. This is the only term out of the three that refers to actual food safety.

Benefits of discount stores: as their name suggests, the items here are discounted. The savings can be pretty big sometimes.

Drawbacks: expired food can make you sick. Likewise, packages that are punctured or ripped expose the contents to air and, potentially, bacteria. Examine packages carefully and do your research on expiration dates for particular foods before consuming expired items.

One other drawback I’d like to mention is the selection of products. They tend to be packaged items like cereal, cookies, and condiments. Yes, they may be great deals, but if you don’t normally buy these items at your regular grocery store, think twice about buying them here.

Choosing a Store

These are the basic categories of grocery stores. You might have other options, depending on where you live: farmer’s markets, ethnic stores/ markets, seafood markets or butcher shops, and bakeries.

Look at the items on your shopping list and determine which type of store would best fit your needs. Or, you can decide first which store or stores you’ll be shopping at, and make your list accordingly. When you’re learning how to grocery shop, it can be helpful to try out different stores and see which ones suit you best.

You can do this for particular stores, even if they’re in the same category. For example, I shop at two different supermarkets. One has better prices on baking ingredients, while I can usually find better prices on eggs and yogurt at the other. I alternate stores depending on my grocery list.

The Best Time to Shop

What’s the best time to grocery shop? Well, that depends a little on your schedule and proximity to the store.

When you’re just learning how to grocery shop, it might take some time to decide which time and day is best for you. But here are a few pointers to picking a good time.

• What’s the worst time to go grocery shopping? When you’re hungry. I’ve made this fatal mistake several times, and always end up with unnecessary purchases. The state of your stomach is the first thing to consider when picking a time to shop.

• Next, consider your schedule and the outside temperature. If it’s very hot or cold, plan your trip so that you can head home immediately after shopping.
  • Foods that must be kept cold should be refrigerated within two hours, or less if it’s very hot outside. If you’re buying frozen foods in the summer, consider bringing a cooler or cold bag to transport them.
  • In the winter, very cold temperatures can damage delicate fruits and vegetables, and cause texture changes in some dairy products.

• Another thing to think about is high traffic times in the store. There are always more people shopping on the weekends, and late afternoon/ evening is a busier time than morning. If a crowded store makes you more likely to forget things, try to shop at a time when the store isn’t as busy.

• One last point is that items are typically marked down in the morning. If you want to find deals on meat and dairy products, shopping earlier is better.

How to Grocery Shop: At the Store

Now you have a plan of action, and you’re ready to tackle the grocery store. Great! Here are some tips to help you find the best deals for the items on your list.

How to Navigate a Grocery Store

There are a few things you should know about the layout of grocery stores if you’re trying to be a savvy shopper. Grocery stores are set up to help you buy as much as possible each time you walk through their smoothly-sliding doors. Their goal is not to help you stick to your list or budget.

• Basic essentials like milk, eggs, and produce are located as far apart as possible. This is not to help you get your steps in for the day; it’s so that you have to pass by all the other products (and preferably buy some!) on your way to the next item on your list.
• Products that kids love are placed at the eye level of a kid, so that they are more likely to see their favorite treat and ask for it. You may already know this one, but there’s more: the most expensive items are usually placed at the eye level of adults, so that your eye will naturally be drawn to it.
• Special displays of products are not always on sale. Just because there’s a bright group of snack foods at the end of an aisle with a price posted in front, that price might not reflect any savings!
• Products placed near the checkout lanes are put there on purpose to tempt you. That’s why you will find candy bars and magazines here instead of paper towels.

How to Choose Ripe Produce

Do you find yourself at a loss when it comes to picking fruits and vegetables? Do you end up with rock-hard peaches and mushy avocados? This can be very frustrating if you’ve never learned how to grocery shop. Here’s how to tell the ripe from the rotten.

• Look: fruits and vegetables should be the appropriate color, with no brown spots or wilted edges. This is the most important rule when choosing vegetables. You can buy bananas that are still a little green if you aren’t planning to eat them right away. Tomatoes should generally be deep red, unless you’re buying heirloom or golden varieties.
• Smell: fruits should smell slightly sweet, due to the starches converting to sugars during the ripening process. If a peach, orange, or cantaloupe doesn’t give off a sweet scent, it’s not ripe yet. However, a strong fruity scent can mean the fruit is overripe. Some fruits with thick rinds don’t give off any scent, so don’t bother sniffing your watermelon.
• Touch: sometimes picking up a vegetable or fruit can tell you a lot. Leafy greens and celery should be crisp, not soft. Berries should be soft but not mushy. Pit or stone fruits shouldn’t be rock hard; they should be mostly firm, but give just a little when squeezed lightly. The weight of the fruit is also a good indicator of ripeness, particularly for melons: the heavier it feels, the juicier it will be. Pineapples are challenging, but the best method I know is to tug gently at the spiky leaves on top. If you can pull one off near the fruit, it’s ripe.

A Word on Brands

What’s the difference between generic store brands and name brands? Not as much as you might think. Often, the products are manufactured or distributed by the same companies.

The major difference is in the labels. Name brands pay for advertising costs, which can be hefty. That cost is passed on to the consumer through higher product prices.

However, not all generic brands are equal to name brands. Everyone has his or her own taste and priorities, and that’s pretty much what it comes down to. You might prefer a certain brand of fruit juice, while I’m pickier when it comes to tea.

Here’s an interesting list from Food Network that describes which brand name foods are usually indistinguishable from the generic varieties.

Compare Unit Prices

Have you ever looked at a wall of pasta sauce and wondered which of the twenty varieties was the best deal? The answer lies in unit prices.

What are unit prices? It’s the price per pound, ounce, liter, or whatever unit of measurement is used for each item. The unit for eggs is either 1 egg or 1 dozen eggs. Pasta is measured in ounces.

The unit price is usually listed on the price tag, in smaller numbers in a corner. Comparing the unit price allows you to compare prices across products of different sizes. A 15-oz. can of tomatoes might cost $0.90, while a 28-oz. can costs $1.99. Which is the better deal? The unit price will tell you.

If you see two different units, such as ounces and pounds, on different brands, then calculating becomes a bit more complicated. You might want to bring a calculator with you if you’re serious about finding the best deal.

Tip: If one brand of an item is measured in ounces and another is measured in pounds, it’s almost always true that the one measured in larger units (pounds) is a better deal.

Coupons

There is a group of people who practice couponing almost religiously. If you do it right, you can save a lot of money; but there are other costs.

It takes a lot of time to learn the tricks, find and print coupons, and shop at the right times. If that’s what you want to do, there are plenty of books and websites dedicated to couponing.

I’m not going into that kind of couponing. I just want to give you a basic overview of coupons as you’re learning how to grocery shop, so you understand how the system works.

Types of Coupons

There are two basic categories of coupons: store coupons and manufacturer coupons. Store coupons are printed by a specific store, and may only be used in that store. Manufacturer coupons are printed by the manufacturer, and may be used wherever their products are sold.

Coupons are designed to get you into the store, and convince you to buy a specific product/brand. This helps the store, because people tend to buy more than one item when they shop.

It also helps the manufacturer, because people tend to buy more of items when they’re on sale. The manufacturer is also hoping that you’ll fall in love with their brand and decide to purchase it even when it’s not on sale.

How to grocery shop with coupons

That being said, coupons can be a great way to save on groceries. Glancing at a weekly sale flyer while you make your grocery list lets you plan your menu around sales.

Make coupons fit your plan and budget, not the other way around. Don’t buy something just because you have a coupon. If you wouldn’t normally buy that product, the coupon won’t save you money. You’ll still be spending money on something you don’t need.

Also, check the coupon price against the store brand. Generic brands might still be cheaper than 50 cents off a name brand.

Make sure you check the expiration date on coupons before you shop, or you might end up purchasing a more expensive item than you otherwise would have!

If you have a hard time remembering your coupons at the cash register, you might find the ibotta coupon app helpful. They offer rebates and cash back on purchases at over 400 retailers for groceries, housewares, toiletries, clothing, pet supplies, and more!

With this app, you don’t have to remember any coupons. You can even link your loyalty account to the app to save even more!

Where to go next

Now you’re all set to take on the grocery store like a pro! You’ve learned how to grocery shop by making a list, choosing a store, and planning an ideal time to shop.

You know common pitfalls to avoid and tips to help you score some deals. The only thing left is to practice. So get out there and show off your new shopping skills!

If you enjoyed this article and would like even more tips on how to grocery shop, check out Ultra Power Saving Mode for your Grocery Budget. It’s a big list of 21 ways to stretch your grocery money farther than you thought you could!