8 Things To Consider When You Buy Groceries During The Pandemic

The way we live during this time has changed and I think everybody will agree with it. We stay at home most of the time, some of us probably cook more, the way we buy groceries is different, and a lot of other things. 

Even though we might be spending less on gas, restaurants, salon visits, and other entertainment, one area where we spend more these days is on groceries.

Did you know that money spent on food and supplies has increased by 88% from two weeks ago, going from $335.65 to $631.06?

I know it can be more overwhelming and stressful for some people than for others, but keeping it safe and positive is crucial.

Here I wrote down a list of things to consider when you buy groceries during the pandemic. 

1. Think several times if it’s really urgent to go to a supermarket

Well here, it’s very simple. During this time we are being advised to stay at home as much as possible, which includes limiting trips to grocery stores.  

If before I could go whenever I wanted, now going to a supermarket because I ran out of Ranch would be unwise. 

That’s why it’s highly recommended that instead of going to the grocery store to buy a few items every couple of days, you plan a big shopping trip and buy enough food for a week or two.

2. Planning should be your best friend now

Planning your shopping trips has always been a good thing to do. But now it’s essential because we need to reduce going outside and expose ourselves to other people as much as we can. 

How to plan your shopping trips wisely?

Take inventory.

Before you go to the store, take inventory of what you have at home and what you need to buy. Make a list. 

Plan ahead.

When you’re making a list, think ahead. Try to plan your meals for this and the next week, and write down what you need to buy to make the meals. 

I highly recommend that you write everything down because you don’t want to wander around and take forever trying to remember what you need to buy. 

If you’re struggling with getting started you can try out this $5 Meal Plan with 14 days free trial. 

Write a list according to your store’s layout.

Writing a list according to your store’s layout can save you a lot of time. Instead of walking back and forth, you will put items in your cart walking once from one side to another. 

For example, if the aisle with fresh vegetables and fruits is the first you get to once you come in, get all the vegetables and fruits (that will be on the top of your shopping list), so you won’t have to come back when you see ‘tomatoes’ at the bottom of your list.

If the next aisle is the cereal aisle you put all items (cereal) that are on your list into your cart, so you don‘t come back again. 

If there’s a lot of people you can skip that aisle and come back later. 

Planning your shopping trips for what groceries and supplies you need to buy will firstly, prevent you from impulsive buying (that will help you spend less). Secondly, it will reduce your shopping time, which is your main goal. 

3. Consider buying in bulk

We don’t usually stockpile and it’s not recommended when you’re trying to save money unless it’s something that you use daily. But now reconsidering it – wouldn’t be a bad idea. 

Since we want to reduce the number of our shopping trips as much as we can, buying groceries and supplies in bulk could be good. 

You can also find great deals when you buy in bulk. To verify that it’s a good deal you can simply check the price per unit and usually, it’s found written in a smaller font.

Don’t forget to check the expiration date. 

It depends on your food preferences, but here are some ideas of foods and supplies to buy in bulk:

• Oats
• Species
• Dried pasta
• Canned and dried foods
• Onions 
• Meat (to keep frozen)
• Water 
• Coffee
• Toothpaste
• Soap and Shampoo
• Diapers
• Toilet paper
• Trashbags

4. Buying food and supplies that will last

When it comes to buying food during this time, consider buying ones that will last longer and be mindful of the food that spoils quickly.

Here’s a list of the pantry foods that won’t spoil easily:

• Dried grains
• Nuts
• Pasta 
• Canned meat and seafood
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Dried fruit
• Canned coconut milk
• Jerky
• Dried beans
• Honey
• Dehydrated milk
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Dried herbs and species

You can also buy fresh food that can be easily frozen and it will stay good for months! 

My mother freezes bread and says that it tastes great when you unfreeze it. For me, that sounds crazy, but I have to give it a try!

When it comes to buying household supplies try to buy reusable products like cloth towels that you can wash and use again. 

5. Excel your cooking skills!

Now we have more time to cook at home than we ever did. But one little thing here is we don’t need to have all the ingredients from the recipe we found on Pinterest or from our cookbook.

Try to use the ones that you have at home, or if it’s impossible to make the meal with those ingredients, reconsider the meal! 

This will help you:

1. Save money – you won’t buy ingredients that you never use just for making one meal.
2. Reduce food waste – you will use ingredients that you have at home.
3. Avoid frequent shopping trips – you won’t need to go to the store just to buy a few ingredients if you make substitutions for what you already have.

Improve your cooking skills, make new recipes, cook simple meals, and create!

6. Stretch your dollars

During this time, saving money on groceries is very important. So try to consider these quick tips: 

7. Touch only what you buy

I know it can be hard, especially for people like me, who always try to find the ripest vegetables and fruits. (I know many people can relate). 

But for now, let’s try to touch only those items that we will buy. I think you know why it should be the case.

8. Delivery is a great option

If you cannot or don’t want to go to the grocery stores at all, you can get groceries delivered to your door. 

It can help avoid touching things while shopping as much as being exposed to people who are infected but don’t show the symptoms.  

Alright, I know that we all are tired of the current situation but we should keep positive and safe as much as we can. 

That’s why here I listed 8 major things to consider when you buy groceries during the pandemic. 

I hope you enjoyed it!

Now it’s your turn: What are your tips to buy groceries and household goods during this time?

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