A well-stocked pantry conveys a sense of abundance and homely charm. I’ve always loved walk-in pantries with their wonderful variety of goods. They are like mini general stores, stocked with everything the household needs.

Shelves full of jams and pickles breathe of summer’s bounty even in the midst of winter. Bins of root vegetables and squashes sit in the cool corners, while strings of onions hang from the rafters.

Canisters of dry goods proclaim their ever-ready potential to be turned into hearty meals, while herbs and spices lend a fragrant scent to the little room.

This is my dream for some day, but it was a reality for the pioneers, and for many homesteaders today. When confronted with such a pantry, I feel like I stepped into Little House on the Prairie:

“Laura was so delighted with the pantry that she stood in the doorway for several minutes, admiring it.”

Laura Ingalls Wilder, The First Four Years

Nowadays, not everyone needs such an extensive pantry; and pantries should be practical above all else. But homemakers can still benefit from stocking basic supplies that they use all the time, and preserving garden produce.

Even if you don’t live on a homestead, you can still capture a bit of that practical, homely atmosphere by learning how to stock a pantry in your own home.

Getting Started

Two practical questions to consider when you’re planning out your pantry are: 1) What do I need? and 2) Where will I store it?

If you can answer these two questions, you’re well on your way to learning how to stock a pantry like a pioneer!

What should I store in my pantry?

Pantries should be practical. Store ingredients that you use regularly. If you like to bake, then think about which baking ingredients you can stock up on.

If you only bake once every month or two, then it’s probably not a good idea to buy large quantities of flour and sugar. They might look pretty in glass jars with cute labels, but if you won’t use it before it goes bad, then it’s a waste of money, time, and space.

The same principle applies to any food you decide to store. Don’t buy a lot of something just because it lasts a long time. You have to actually plan on eating it! I suggest you try a small quantity of something new before buying 10-20 pounds of it!

Storage Spaces

Walk-in pantries seem to be luxuries these days. In many houses, the pantry is reduced to a closet, while small houses and cabins like ours don’t even have that!

What do you do if your house doesn’t have a pantry? Get creative. Look at the storage space you do have. Is there a closet under the stairs? A linen closet in the hallway? Extra space in the basement or garage?

When picking a space for your pantry, look for somewhere that is dark, dry, and cool if possible. If you live somewhere humid, dry isn’t always going to happen; just don’t go storing dry goods in a moist environment like under your sink!

If you don’t have any available closets, you can build one! My pantry for the last two years has been a sturdy wooden chest that my husband built. It’s not quite as convenient as an upright closet with shelves, but it works for us.

Another option is to buy an upright cabinet with shelves. You can find these at auctions, estate sales, and of course, furniture stores.

There’s no rule saying you must store all of your “pantry foods” together. If you don’t have a walk-in pantry, you’ll probably end up using cupboards, closets, boxes, and bins.

Start Slowly

Before you rush out to buy ingredients, keep in mind that stocking a pantry can be expensive initially. It involves buying large quantities of many different items.

As you’re learning how to stock a pantry, you may want to start slowly. Buy one or two pantry items per week, instead of trying to build your perfect pantry all at once. Buying items slowly also helps you keep a goal in mind and not buy unnecessary things on a whim.

Here’s a simple plan for building your pantry slowly:

• Read through the list of pantry staples below and write up a list of which items would be practical for you.
• Add any other foods you think would be practical for your household.
• Bring that list with you to the grocery store so you can stock up on items gradually, as they go on sale.
• Start replacing store bought items with your own dried herbs and home-canned preserves.

If you follow these steps, you will be well on your way to stocking your pantry like a pioneer!

The Basic Pantry Staples

No two pantries are exactly alike, so I can’t give you an exact rundown of what you should stock. You might have a special diet or allergies to work with, besides your own preferences.

Still, I know it can be helpful just to see a list, so you can start to envision what foods you would like to stock, and how much space you will need.

Here is my list of pantry staples, based (loosely) on a pioneer household.

Grains and Flours

• Unbleached white flour
• Whole wheat flour
• Whole grain wheat or spelt berries, if you grind your own flour
• Rolled oats
• Cornmeal
• Rice

A note on flour: whole grain flours should not be stored at room temperature for long periods, because the oil in the germ turns rancid. If you do need to store it for a long time, the freezer is best.

Legumes

• Pinto beans
• Kidney beans
• Navy or great northern beans
• Other beans (black, small red, lima, garbanzo, etc.)
• Split peas

Nuts & Seeds

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Peanuts/ peanut butter
• Coconut flakes
• Sunflower seeds
• Flax, sesame, or other seeds

Dried Fruits

• Raisins or currants
• Golden raisins
• Dried cranberries
• Dates
• Others: dried apricots, pineapple, prunes, cherries, or blueberries

Vegetables

• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Onions
• Garlic
• Squashes

Herbs & Spices

This category really depends on your taste. I happen to really like herbs and spices, as you can tell!

• Salt and pepper
• Sweet spices for baking: allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg
• Spices for cooking: cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried minced onion, garlic powder, ground mustard, paprika, red pepper flakes, turmeric
• Herbs for cooking: basil, chives, dill, fennel, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme
• Seasoning blends: Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, herbs de provence, etc.

Baking Supplies

• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Cornstarch
• Cream of tartar
• Yeast
• Cocoa powder
• Chocolate chips/ baking chocolate
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Sweeteners

• Honey
• Maple Syrup
• Molasses
• Sugar (white or evaporated cane/ sucanat)
• Brown sugar
• Confectioner’s Sugar

Oils

• Coconut oil
• Palm oil
• Olive oil
• Others: avocado, sunflower, walnut, etc.

Canned Goods

• Tomatoes: whole, diced, sauce, paste
• Corn
• Beets
• Pumpkin
• Beans, any variety
• Applesauce
• Peaches, apricots, cherries, or other fruits

Preserves

• Jams and jellies
• Fruit or flower syrups
• Pickles
• Salsa
• Mincemeat

Miscellaneous

• Coffee
• Tea
• Vinegar: white, red wine, apple cider
• Worcestershire sauce
• Soy sauce
• Dried tomatoes for sauces
• Dried vegetables for soup
• Vegetable soup base
• Pasta
• Granola and/or cereal
• Granola bars
• Crackers or pretzels

My list of pantry essentials is mostly ingredients, as you can see. However, I’ve included a few prepared foods in these lists, because I do stock them.

Sometimes those are homemade, and other times they’re from the store. I try to make most of our food, but it’s not 100% from scratch.

Stock up and Save

One of the perks of having a pantry is that keeping a supply of staples allows you to shop around and find the best prices instead of paying whatever the grocery store asks when you run out of something.

(To keep this cushion, make sure you put an item on your shopping list BEFORE it’s all gone!)

There are a few different ways to find the best prices while stocking up on pantry staples. You can use these methods now as you learn how to stock a pantry, and in the future to keep it well stocked.

Wait for sales

Flour and dried beans may never go on sale at your local grocery store, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of sales when stocking your pantry.

The best way to use sales to buy multiples of an item when it’s on sale, so you don’t have to buy it when it’s not on sale. This method does require some forethought and planning.

For example, I check the price on peanut butter frequently, even when I don’t need it. That way, I always catch the sales, and never have to buy it when it’s not on sale.

It may take a while to learn which items go on sale in your local stores, and your shopping trips might be a few minutes longer when you’re checking prices, but the savings are worth it!

Wholesale or Co-op

Local co-ops can be a great way to buy in bulk and save money on shipping costs, particularly for large or heavy items.

The basic idea is that several people order together from a company, so they can get a wholesale price and/or a discounted shipping rate.

Some co-ops get shipments only once every few months, while others have their own local stores where members can purchase goods any time.

Some co-ops charge a membership fee, so don’t forget to factor that into the cost of the goods.

Ask your friends or neighbors if there are any co-ops in your area.

Shop with a friend

Even if there aren’t any local co-ops (or they just don’t carry the items you need), you can apply that principle on a smaller scale if you shop with a friend or two.

Our local grocery stores don’t have the best (or freshest) selection of bulk spices. I often split an order of bulk spices from an online supplier with my mother and sister. We split the shipping costs, and sometimes split large packages of herbs and spices.

Pantry Food Storage Tips

Learning how to stock a pantry is just the first step. Make sure you also follow these tips to ensure that your food stays consumable!

If you’re wondering about the shelf life of certain items, or how to store them properly, check out this guide to shelf life basics.

Rotate your supply

Use the oldest jars and cans first. You don’t want any food in your pantry to spoil, especially if you’ve taken the trouble to can and preserve it.

An easy way to prevent spoilage is to put the new batch of, say, strawberry jam, behind the older jars.

Of course, you should also label each jar with the date so there is no question of how old it is.

Make sure your pantry foods are safe from pests

Grains and flour are best stored in bins or buckets with tight-fitting lids. Consider transferring pasta from cardboard boxes into glass jars with screw-on lids. You can do the same for beans and rice.

If you would rather keep the food in its original packaging, then store the boxes or bags in a larger tub or bucket, with a tight lid to keep critters out.

Also, keep your pantry clean and tidy. If you spill oats or flour on the floor, sweep up the mess right away so it doesn’t attract bugs.

Ready, Set, Go!

Now you know the basics of how to stock a pantry! Ma Ingalls would be proud. Even if it’s not filled with home-canned pickles and jellies right away, it’s still a big step in the right direction.

Remember that pantries are constantly changing, and sometimes there will be more food than others. That’s okay.

FREE Printable Pantry Staples shopping list!

Don’t forget your free printable shopping list! Bring it with you to the grocery store or the co-op, so you have a guide to stocking your pantry. Then post it in your pantry, so you can keep track of your supplies.

If you would like to read more about how to stock a pantry while saving money at the grocery store, check out Ultra Power Saving Mode for your Grocery Budget.

Now that your pantry is fully stocked, check out these simple recipes from pantry staples!

How to be a good homemaker by organizing your schedule

When you become a homemaker, there’s no list of job requirements to follow. There’s no application or interview process, so you might not even know what to expect.

Homemaking is flexible for a reason, because every household functions a little differently. That’s a good thing!

However, it can be frustrating as a new homemaker when you’re trying to figure out what you’re supposed to be doing and how to organize your duties.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by housework and cooking, whether or not you have kids thrown into the mix.

You want to learn how to be a good homemaker, but there’s no policies & procedures manual.

Here are some tips to organize your daily life in order to become a happier and more efficient homemaker.

1. Get up early

The very first thing you can do to make your day better is to get up before everyone else.

Night owls may scoff at this, and say they function better when they get more sleep.

I get it. I love sleep too. But try it for a week, and see if you feel better.

I used to wake up around 5:45 a.m. without an alarm- before I had kids. Now it’s a chore to drag myself out of bed in the mornings, but the effort is worthwhile.

Granted, there are periods in life when you need lots of sleep. During pregnancy and postpartum when I’m up several times per night, I don’t worry about getting up early, and sleep as much as I can.

But in general, getting up early helps you to start the day on a positive note. You feel like you have a head start on the day, and quiet mornings allow you to focus on organizing your day before the noise and bustle begins.

It’s a wonderful time to pray, stretch, or exercise. You can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in peace before starting breakfast for the family.

Don’t make the excuse that you have children who wear you out. If your children demand your attention every minute of the day, it’s even more important to carve out some time for yourself when they’re in bed.

And morning is better than evening because you’re fresh and rested instead of exhausted and frustrated.

Getting up early is undoubtedly easier for some people, and harder for others. I find it especially difficult on cold, dark winter mornings.

But everyone can make the effort. Try setting your alarm half an hour earlier for a week, and see what a difference it can make.

2. Make a list

Now that you’re awake early and have some quiet time to think about your day, write out a list of tasks to accomplish.

Note any errands you need to run, appointments for yourself or family members, house cleaning, home maintenance tasks, and food prep that needs to be done today.

Writing everything down ensures that you don’t forget any major task, and also helps you to see what needs to be done so you can plan your day accordingly.

You wouldn’t want to go out to your dentist appointment, and then get home and remember you were supposed to stop at the grocery store as well!

(If you live right in town, I suppose this wouldn’t be such a big deal. Every time I go out, it takes over an hour.)

Anyway, making a list helps you to organize your day and make sure the important tasks actually get remembered.

Some people like to write out a list for the next day before they go to bed. That’s a great idea if your brain tends to be fuzzy before you eat breakfast!

3. Dress for your job

Have you ever noticed how your clothing impacts your emotions and mindset?

Putting on a special dress to go out for dinner evokes feelings of anticipation and excitement. Even normal acts seem more special when you’re all dressed up.

Putting on a uniform puts you in work mode. Your brain is ready to solve problems and meet the demands of the workplace.

Putting on yoga pants and a t-shirt might make you think about exercising, if that’s what you normally do in them.

But if you wear them around the house all day, they fall into the category of leisure wear. And what does that make you think of? Not an efficient homemaker!

If you want your day to be orderly and productive, dress in such a way that tells the world (and yourself) that you mean business.

I’m not saying you should wear a blazer to clean the house. But wear one when you run errands or balance your checkbook if that helps you feel more focused.

And wear an outfit around the house that would work with a blazer; or at any rate, wear something that makes you feel put together and ready to take on the day.

You don’t want to get your nice clothes dirty? Neither do I. That’s why I wear aprons.

This article of clothing is pretty and practical, perfectly suited to the job of a homemaker. You can think of it as your uniform, if you like.

Aren’t you glad you can customize your uniform however you like? I have five aprons, and one is reversible, so I always have one to match my outfit.

4. Make a weekly housekeeping schedule

Do you always forget to clean the microwave? Does the garbage or recycling pile up for weeks?

Nobody’s perfect, and we all have a chore or two that we just don’t like or can’t seem to remember. Making a schedule for those tasks that need to be done every week can help.

If you spread the chores out, then you won’t find yourself trying to tackle all the housework in one day and getting burned out, or constantly forgetting something in your daily duties.

It can help you organize tasks so they get done during the workweek, instead of being pushed to the weekend when your spouse is home. Isn’t it nicer to be able to relax together or go do something fun on the weekend, rather than being stuck at home catching up on chores?

Another benefit of making a housekeeping schedule is that it keeps you from feeling guilty or discouraged on busy days when you don’t have time for much housework.

Planning a light day of housework gives you the flexibility to adapt to unexpected changes or just enjoy the day without feeling like you should be working every minute.

Wednesdays are usually my busiest day, so I don’t plan much housework for that day. If another day is unexpectedly busy, I can always switch my schedule around to make up for it.

What should you include in a weekly housekeeping schedule?

The things that have to happen (or should happen!) every week to keep your house in good running order.

This includes four basic categories: cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and food preparation.

There are a lot of individual tasks that fall under cleaning, such as dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning the bathroom.

Laundry and grocery shopping might each need to be done once or twice per week, or you might choose to do a load of laundry every day.

What types of food preparation should you include? If it’s something you do every day and you’re not likely to forget (like making supper), then you don’t have to include it on your weekly schedule.

But if you like to make a big batch of bread or tortillas or marinara sauce once a week, then that would be a good task to include on your weekly schedule. Sometimes I’ve had “Use Sourdough” on my schedule, just so it doesn’t sit abandoned in my fridge for a month!

Read more tips for creating your own weekly housekeeping schedule here!

5. Limit media consumption

This is the chief enemy of an efficient homemaker. How can you focus on a task if your phone or computer keeps buzzing with updates?

Turn off the TV while you’re working. You don’t need the distraction. Turn off email notifications and social media notifications, or just put your phone away until your housework is done.

You can even designate a particular place for your phone to sit when you’re not using it, as if it was a landline.

I’m not saying that social media and the Internet are bad. But they are distractions, and they can suck you in for hours if you’re not careful.

If you want to be an efficient homemaker, you will need to take an honest look at how much time you spend looking at a screen during the day.

What if you had spent that time on housework? Would your house be cleaner? Better yet, you could spend the extra time on relationships or creative projects. Would you be happier?

Making an effort to reduce screen time can have a huge impact on your satisfaction with your life.

6. Plan meals

I didn’t start out meal planning as a new homemaker. And there were many, many days when I didn’t know what supper would be until I started cooking.

The question would hang over me all day, as I skimmed Pinterest and cookbooks randomly for inspiration.

Now that I have a system of meal planning set up, I no longer dread the question of what’s for dinner. Of course there are still days when my schedule gets upset and I still have to come up with supper ideas on the fly, but these days are now the exception instead of the norm.

Now, when I find new recipes I want to try, I write them down on my meal plan and note the ingredients on my grocery list. I plan multiple meals around the produce and perishable goods on my list that week, so nothing goes to waste.

And if I find a really great deal at the store, I either plan it into my week or freeze it for later. I love having a plan that is flexible enough to work with my life!

If you’re curious about starting a meal plan but not sure if it will help you, read Why You Need a Simple Meal Plan. If you’re ready to dive right in, check out Easing into Meal Planning.

7. Keep up with laundry

I told myself I wasn’t going to talk about laundry here. I am not the queen of laundry.

However, laundry is an important part of any modern homemaker’s duties, so it’s only reasonable to mention it. Keeping up with the laundry is an essential part of keeping your family clothed.

Setting up a laundry schedule is also a great way to ease into a basic housekeeping schedule if you’re having trouble sticking to a chore list.

Just by organizing the one task of laundry throughout the week, you are making progress toward a more organized house.

That being said, there are many ways to do laundry. I think the important thing is that you have a schedule, or at least a general method. Here are some examples:

• Several seasoned homemakers recommend doing a load of laundry first thing every morning.

• When I was growing up, my mother did laundry two days per week.

• I usually wash our clothes only once per week, but I wash cloth diapers two or three days a week in addition to that.

Like I said, the important thing is that you have some sort of method. Having a system prevents laundry from taking over your life (or your house).

I prefer to do all my washing in one go (except for diapers), so I don’t have to think about it for the rest of the week.

However, I do see the benefits of washing a load of laundry every morning. For one thing, it would never pile up and become an unsightly mess.

Organize your washing however you wish- as long as its actually organized. You will see immediate benefits in adding a little more structure to your schedule, and you won’t constantly feel like you’re behind on the washing.

8. Organize your finances

You are the caretaker of your home and family. Part of that job is keeping the financial state of your household transparent- and apparent.

Do you know how much money comes in and goes out? It’s a really good idea to keep track of your spending: not to impose limits, just for the sake of your sanity!

You can use a simple spreadsheet to track income and expenditures, or try a budgeting app or printable worksheet.

I like the EveryDollar app because it’s free, simple, and you can customize it with your own categories of expenses. (So if you want to set up a pizza fund, go for it!) There’s also a website version, if you don’t fancy budgeting on your phone.

Beyond budgeting, I like to calculate our net worth every year. This gives you a bird’s-eye view of your financial situation.

It can get discouraging if you feel like you’re not saving much from month to month, but if your net worth is increasing, you know you’re on the right track.

9. Find your purpose

I wanted to end with this, not because it’s the least important, but because it completes the rest.

All the things we talked about earlier are tactics that help to streamline your tasks and organize your job as a homemaker. But if you don’t have an underlying purpose in homemaking, the tactics won’t help much.

Some people call this having a vision for what you want your life to look like. If you keep a concrete goal in mind, then you can apply different tactics to help you achieve it.

I prefer to find the meaning in homemaking itself, rather than just seeing it as the means to an end (an organized home, a peaceful sanctuary, a welcoming gathering place for family and friends).

When you find meaning in your work as a homemaker, then the tasks you have to do each day become worthwhile- even if you know you’ll have to repeat them over and over again.

Each individual task has a place in the overall mission or purpose of homemaking. Each becomes an opportunity to love your family.

When you can see that, setting up systems for your tasks makes sense, because organizing them lets you work with more clarity and serenity.

What next?

If you’re new to homemaking and want an overview of basic skills, check out Homemaking 101: The Basics. Or check out my Guide to Intentional Homemaking, which delves into the meaning and purpose of homemaking, as well as showing you how to find joy in this vocation.

Happy homemaking!

~Kimberly

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!