Saving Time and Money

Shopping like most activities, provides many benefits. For me, it’s a distraction from the daily routine. I become so engrossed in my purpose that I forget nagging problems and time. I could almost call it shopping therapy.

But there are strategies to good shopping, especially when it comes to the supermarket. In my opinion, most people are too casual about an activity that can save them literally thousands of dollars a year. I hope to outline my strategy in a simple and straightforward way to help create a world of super savers.

One basic rule is to determine the items you want and need before you ever walk into the supermarket.That’s easily accomplished by checking the store flyer, either the paper or online version.

The flyer lists all its sales, deals and other promotions like double coupons, savings for Frozen Food Month and special holidays and events. Once you review the deals you’re ready to set them down on paper or online in the form of a shopping list. As a matter of fact you can create your own shopping list on my www.couponqueen.com site.

A shopping list serves as a checklist for your needed items. But it also includes the quantity, exact size and sale price of each product so you don’t pick up the 7oz. can for $.99 when it was the 14oz. on sale for that price.

Next, I put all my items by categories. The reason, simple, the supermarket is laid out just that way. So as I’m in the frozen foods section, I refer to my list, see my purchases, pick them up and go on to the next category. It avoids a return visit to that area because I forgot the frozen peas.

I have about 20 categories, they include:

• Baking
• Beverages
• Bread/Crackers
• Cereal
• Coffee/Tea
• Condiments
• Dairy
• Dog Food
• Drug Items
• Frozen Food
• Juices
• Household Products
• Paper Goods
• Pasta/Rice
• Snacks
• Sodas
• Vegetables
• Miscellaneous (batteries, bulbs)
• Rainchecks

I can also skip aisles if I have no purchase included. For example, I rarely if ever walk down baby products, and sometimes avoid beverages depending on my list. A big time saver.

My list includes the coupons I intend to use. As I chose my items, I move my coupons to the front of my organizer so I don’t forget to hand them in to the checker. How often have I heard shoppers plan their shopping, and then forget the fun part of getting that extra coupon deduction.

On a typical shopping trip, using these few techniques I have built up to a 50% savings and more each and every time I shop. And it doesn’t take more time; it actually saves time by having all necessary information in 1 place.

Give it a shot, try the list, use my site to help you create it, and head for the supermarket and your savings.

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