For me, this was the most logical thing I had ever heard, yet the hardest thing to do. I would prepare my grocery list at home and add everything to it when it ran out. However, when I would be at the store, I would be wandering from one end to the other, just to get everything on my list. Because my list had everything to do with my home, and nothing with my store.

This meant that the milk would be on top of my list, followed by the cookies, the dishwasher soap,  apples and butter. However, when I would walk through the store, I would first come across the fruit and vegetables, then the fridges, then coffee products, cookies, cleaning things and so on. Which meant that I would be walking from one isle to the other and then back to the first one. Even if I remembered to go over my list to make sure I would have everything, I would still be missing vital groceries when I thought I was done. And then the running around the store started again.

For me, ”Buy Me a Pie!” is a huge time saver. And that is because of its ability to sort my groceries in logical groups that are usually put together in the supermarket. Just using the sorting function makes life easier for me. After I have done that, I have a clear list of all the products I need in their own group. And the best thing is that, even if I visit another supermarket than my own, that list still
works. Because all the products of a certain kind are usually grouped together in the store. So, having my list sorted by those groups, is the easiest way to make sure I bring everything and forget nothing. Which means there is no more reason to run around the store. And that helps me get back home quicker.

Try it, you will love being able to pick up your groceries in one run. It makes shopping more relaxed and faster. Which means you will have time to enjoy your food at home.

There are a number of best practices when you do your shopping. And I would love to share them with you through this blog over the coming weeks. They are all things that I have learned myself through years of unnecessarily long shopping trips and coming home with the wrong things at the wrong times. The good thing is that this was just me. I am sure you have never experienced this, and by the time you have read all the posts I am going to write, you never will.

My first rule of thumb has become that I never go shopping when I am in a hurry. Only go shopping when you have time to go shopping and you can pay attention while you are getting your groceries. This is the only way to keep you from running around the store grabbing groceries as you rush past. If you are a great shopper, you might actually come out of the store with most of the groceries you need. But often, what happens is that you start doubting. Even though you might have brought a great list, you will still doubt the amount of milk you need, whether you still had toilet paper and if your partner asked you to bring bread. So, because you cannot afford to go back later, you will just bring everything that you are doubtful about. And while you bring all of that, there are often one or two items that were on the list that get skipped over. So, if you know you need half an hour do get your groceries, schedule half an hour to do it. Any shorter and you will be stressed out. Any longer would be unnecessary.

Believe me, when you relax and enjoy your shopping trip, you will be home quicker. The reason for that will be that you are moving through the shop faster because you are much more relaxed and not worrying about your groceries.

Image thanks to Someecards.com

Has this ever happened to you? It has happened to me. After doing my grocery shopping, I got home and found that I had forgotten that one vital ingredient for my meal that evening. And it always seems to happen on days when I really do not have the time to go back and pick up that last ingredient. Which is unfortunate as there is no other option than to turn around and go straight back to the store.

Luckily this is a problem that you don’t ever need to have. Especially if we are talking about repetitive groceries. You know, the things that you usually have in your house because you need them every time you prepare a meal, clean the house or prepare to go out. The secret to always having the groceries you need in your house lies in your shopping list.

Write it down
The best way to keep track of the groceries you need to get, is to put them on a shopping list as soon as you run out. For me, this used to be wishful thinking at first. When I would run out of something, I would think I was going to write it down a little later. That meant that I had already thrown out the package and had forgotten about it before I got to my grocery list in the kitchen. The best solution would be to have your grocery list with you at all times.

The good news is that that is much easier to do than you would think. By carrying your phone around, you can always have your grocery list with you. With the «Buy Me a Pie!» app, putting the groceries on your list is as easy as a single tap, or changing the amount of the item that is already on your list.

Together
One of my personal favorite features of the «Buy Me a Pie!» app, is to be able to synchronize shopping lists. That way you, your partner, your kids or others you live with, can make sure everything is on the shopping list. A great way to make sure everybody in the house is happy as you will never forget that product they specifically asked you for. They just put it on the list for you.

Start today
This whole process is going to save you a lot of time. It will save you the time you usually need to go over everything that is in the house, to find out what you need to buy. It will save you time in the store as you know what you need to get. And it will save you time by making sure you can get everything you need in one visit to the supermarket. And all this for making a habit your own that only costs you seconds every day, but saves you minutes every week.

Have fun shopping and be happy in the knowledge that you are brining home everything you need.