Shopping Time Savers

[Csara]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks I'm going out for a half hour to run some errands and end up taking up the entire day. Well, here are some tips to help save time when you are shopping or running errands so you can get even more done in the day. :)

1. Before making big purchases - research, research, research. Start a thread at HT and ask if anyone has that product and what they think of it, get recommendations from friends, and comparison shop on different websites. One of my favorites is epinions.com. Narrow your choices down to 2 or 3 at most before hitting the stores.

2. Keep a list on the fridge so when you run out of something, you can write it down for your next grocery shop. Try to organize your grocery list by product type.

3. Go shopping when stores are less crowded - weekdays are obviously better than weekends if you have the chance, and earlier in the week is the best.

4. Group your errands according to location before you leave the house so you don't have to backtrack.

5. Call ahead to offices to check on your appointment time and try to schedule them first thing in the morning so you won't have to wait in the waiting room all day. Also when possible, call ahead to stores to make sure they have what you need if it's something specific.

Anyone else have some tips?

[jana]

2. Keep a list on the fridge so when you run out of something, you can write it down for your next grocery shop. Try to organize your grocery list by product type.

Ooh, I do this. I write down things on the list and then when I'm ready to shop, I turn the paper over & organize everything on the back (all the produce together, canned goods together, etc.). That way I'm not running all over the store because tomatoes were at the end of my list and I didn't see them. :D

[suzieq728]

I keep a list on my fridge, but I never thought of organizeing it. I am always running back & forth around the store, good idea, thank you C.
You think I would lose a little weight with all my running around, but nooo, as I am going down aisle's that I dont even need to be in I pick up more junk that is NOT on my list :eek: .

[MandiDawn]

2. Keep a list on the fridge so when you run out of something, you can write it down for your next grocery shop.

I do this but yet I always seem to forget the list at home when I go shopping.

[andrea]

i try to write it down, but that has never worked well for me

[Csara]

A friend gave me an adorable notepad with a magnet so it's been on the fridge and I've been using it to write down things I need when I think of them or when we run out. It's been extremely helpful!

[andrea]

i need to get something like that

[CC21]

We just put a post-it note on our fridge and write on it as needed.