Twenty-somethings - grocery shopping tips

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If you haven’t had much exposure to or experience with grocery shopping, simply walking into a grocery store can seem daunting. Just the thought of wandering up and down aisles trying to find anything can make you run for your nearest fast-food restaurant for an easy meal. And although that may seem easy, dining at fast-food restaurants and drive-thrus every day is neither healthy nor economical. Using the tips and advice below will relieve your grocery-shopping stress and put you on the path to achieving simple, quick DIY meals that will make you feel better about what you eat and spend.

There are several major grocery stores chains in San Jose, such as Safeway , Albertson’s and Lucky’s (click on each link for more info and store locations near you). These stores all have specials, coupons and savings programs designed to lower your weekly food bill. Sign up for one of their savings cards and use it every time you shop in their stores to take advantage of discounts and in-store deals.Check your mailbox and grocery store websites for grocery coupons. Try Safeway’s digital coupons that encourage their Club Card users to lower their grocery total before you even go into the store by downloading specials directly onto your Club Card from your home computer. Keep in mind though that it won’t save money to purchase items you don’t normally buy or use simply because you have a coupon for it. The best way to grocery shop is to have your list in hand and stick to it. However, you can certainly plan your weekly meals to take advantage of grocery store specials and coupons. While grocery shopping, remember that the store brands are typically cheaper than name brands and can save you money so take a second look to compare prices. Also, look for in-store specials that will lower your grocery bill even further. In addition to the major grocery store chains, there are many great markets that may be local to where you live. Be sure to check these out as well.

There are some basic grocery items that you should stock in your pantry to avoid running to the store several times each week. Look for deals on these staples so you can buy them when they’re on sale and have them on hand. See my article “Twenty-somethings, you can cook too!” for tips and links on stocking your pantry. Also see my article, “Stocking your spice rack by stalking the Internet,” for money-saving tips on buying spices.

Become familiar with the layout of your local grocery store and, when putting together your weekly grocery list, group items together by departments, sections and aisles. Then put these groups of items in order from one side of the store to the other. Enter the store on the same side that your list starts on and navigate the aisles quickly and easily using your list. This keeps you from backtracking from one side of the store to the other and also helps you to pick up everything on your list.

If you’re trying to eat healthier foods, limit your shopping as much as possible to the “outside aisles” of the grocery stores. The fresh produce, fresh meat and seafood, dairy and bakery departments typically make up these outside aisles. Eating fewer processed, prepared, canned and bagged items and eating more fresh vegetables and fruits, meat and fish, eggs and cheese, and fresh-baked breads means you are eating healthier and less-expensive foods containing much less sugar, salt and preservatives.

One last tip: shop at the grocery store to buy groceries. Buying household items such as cleaning and laundry supplies, personal hygiene items and miscellaneous sundries will run up your grocery total very quickly. There are stores that specialize in these items and offer the same types of deals and coupons that grocery stores offer on groceries. But that’s another topic.

For more info: Check out my upcoming series of daily articles at Margie’s Easy Meals on weekly meal planning, grocery lists and step-by-step instructions for easy DIY meals.