10 Smart Tips for Grocery Shopping Like A Pro

7/31/2025

Learn how to save money, time, and stress with these 10 smart grocery shopping tips. From planning to pantry checks, this guide helps you shop smarter every time.

By Victoria Darnell
Published 07/31/2025

10 Smart Tips to Shop Like a Professional

Grocery shopping is something we all do but let’s be honest, it can easily become chaotic, time consuming, and more expensive than we’d like. Whether you’re shopping for a large family or just trying to stick to a meal plan.

a little preparation goes a long way. 📝

These 10 tips will help you shop smarter, reduce waste, and keep your kitchen stocked with everything you need to make delicious meals from scratch. Let's dive into the grocery hacks I personally live by especially as someone who cooks for a family and runs a home bakery.

1. Start with a Weekly Meal Plan

Planning your meals in advance might sound like extra work, but it’s actually the biggest time and money saver. When you know what you’re cooking, you only buy what you need and skip the impulse buys.

🧠 Bonus Tip: Use themed days like “Meatless Monday” or “Taco Tuesday” to simplify planning.

2. Take Inventory Before You Go

Before making your list, take a quick peek in the fridge, freezer, and pantry. This avoids duplicate purchases and helps you use what you already have.

💡 You can keep a magnetic dry erase board on the fridge to jot down when staples are running low.

3. Make a Detailed Shopping List (Organized by Aisle)

Group your list by category: produce, dairy, frozen, canned goods, baking, etc. This prevents backtracking in the store and speeds up your trip.

📱 Tip: Apps like AnyList or Google Keep can make this super easy and shareable if others are shopping with you.

4. Don’t Shop Hungry

You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating! Shopping while hungry increases your chances of impulse buys, especially snacks and sweets. Eat a light meal or snack before heading out.

🍩 Your wallet (and your pantry) will thank you.

5. Stick to the Perimeter

Most fresh foods like produce, meat, dairy, and bakery items are along the outer edges of the store. The inner aisles tend to be stocked with processed foods and temptations.

🥦 Of course, some essentials live in the middle, just go in with intention.

6. Shop Store Brands First

Store brands have come a long way! In many cases, they’re made by the same manufacturers as name brands but cost significantly less. Always compare unit prices and give them a try you might be surprised!

💸 This one switch has helped me save hundreds per year.

7. Check Weekly Ads & Use Digital Coupons

Most grocery stores offer weekly specials and digital coupons through their app or website. Planning your meals around what’s on sale can help stretch your budget even further.

📲 Some stores even offer cash-back rewards or fuel points, so be sure to sign up for loyalty programs.

8. Buy in Bulk When It Makes Sense

Bulk buys are great for pantry staples like flour, oats, rice, or dried beans especially if you bake often like I do. But avoid bulk perishables unless you can freeze or preserve them.

🧊 I love freezing bulk packs of meat into individual portions for easy dinners.

9. Keep a "Don’t Forget" List on Your Phone

There’s always that one thing you forget—until you’re back home. Keep an ongoing list on your phone for those random items you think of during the week.

🛒 I also keep notes on what my kids or partner have requested, so I don’t miss anything.

10. Shop Alone When Possible

I know this isn’t always realistic but when I shop solo, I get in and out quicker, spend less, and focus better. Shopping with kids or family can lead to more distractions and spontaneous purchases.

🎧 Pop in your headphones, throw on your favorite podcast, and make it your quiet time!

✅ Printable Grocery List Template

Want to stay extra organized?

Get my free printable grocery list template here – includes category sections, a notes box, and a “don’t forget” area for those last-minute items.

🛍️ My Favorite Reusable Grocery Bags

These are my recommendations for reusable grocery bags to use every week. They are sturdy, washable, and cute too!

🔗 Foldable Grocery Totes (3-Pack)
🔗 Insulated Bag for Frozen Goods

Disclosure: 💛 These links are affiliate links through Walmart Creator, which means I may earn a small commission if you shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). Thanks for supporting Scratch Crafted! #WALMARTpartner

📦 Best Grocery Shopping Apps

Here are some grocery shopping apps worth trying out:

Flipp: Great for viewing weekly ads and clipping coupons.
AnyList: My favorite for organizing and sharing grocery lists.
Fetch: Earn points by scanning your grocery receipts.
Store-Specific Apps: Kroger, Target, Walmart, and Aldi all offer digital savings.

🤔 Grocery Shopping FAQs

What’s the best day to grocery shop?

Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are often best. Stores have restocked, and crowds are lighter.

How can I save money grocery shopping with kids?

Bring snacks or let them help choose one special item. Involving them makes it smoother and teaches budgeting too!

Is shopping online better than going in person?

It depends. Pickup orders can save time and curb impulse buys, but in store shopping gives you more control over freshness and price checks.

📚 Related Posts You’ll Love

👉 How to Store Homemade Bread
👉 30 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas
👉 Easy Meal Planning for Beginners
👉 Kitchen Hacks: Freeze It Before It Spoils

💬 Final Thoughts

Grocery shopping doesn’t have to feel like a chore. With a little planning and intention, you can make it a streamlined, budget friendly part of your week. I hope these tips help you fill your cart with confidence, avoid waste, and get back to cooking the meals you love. ❤️

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Author

Hi, I’m Tori Lynn (Victoria) – the heart behind Scratch Crafted Meals and now, Scratch Crafted Bakery! What began as a simple blog to share my love for homemade meals has grown into something more meaningful than I ever imagined. This space started in my kitchen, where I poured my love for cooking into every dish I made for my family. Over time, what began as a way to share recipes turned into a full-fledged cottage bakery, built from the same passion for creating delicious, scratch-made food with care. Through every blog post, late night bake, market day, and recipe test, I’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude for the support of this community. If you’ve ever tried one of my recipes, stopped by the bakery, or simply cheered me on – thank you. Your support has helped turn a personal passion into a dream come true. I hope each recipe you find here brings warmth to your kitchen and joy to your table. Let’s keep creating magic one dish, one loaf, and one cookie at a time.

With love,
Tori Lynn

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