Organize + Energize: 9 Ways to Save Money + Time At The Market
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Being organized for your trip to the supermarket can be good for your sanity, your wallet, and your waistline!
Last week’s column talked about how to declutter your kitchen. Now that your kitchen is decluttered, let’s discuss getting organized for the supermarket.
How many times have you gone to the supermarket unprepared, spent more money than you intended, bought items you already had, and gained weight in the process? If this relates to you, then read on.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHere are 9 tips on getting organized for your trip to the supermarket.
1. Plan your meals for the week on Saturday or Sunday and write down a healthy meal plan.
Sit for 10 minutes or longer with your menus, store flyer, and coupons and decide what you are going to eat for the week ahead.
2. Make a list for the market from your meal plan.
Don’t think about what you have in the food closet, just write down what the recipes call for and account for any snacks and beverages.
3. Go through the closet & refrigerator and cross off anything on the list that you already have.
If your food pantry is organized, this will be a breeze.
4. If your refrigerator and cabinets are organized you will avoid purchasing duplicate items.
Why throw money out the window? In every kitchen I have organized, we have thrown out at least 4 bags of expired food. Get organized and save money.
5. Gather your coupons based on your list.
Keep your coupons organized in a coupon holder. This will save time when preparing for the market.
6. Once you are at the supermarket, you should not veer from the list.
Veering from the list will allow you to purchase impulse items. Stick to your healthy list and you may even lose weight!
7. Go to the supermarket only once a week.
Are you running to the market more than once a week? If you are, think about why and then see if you can make a plan to only go once.
8. Never go to the market hungry!
We’ve all done this, and what happens? We end up with junk in our cart and a gain on the scale to prove it at the end of the week. Eat before you go or at least have a snack.
9. Start a list for the following week.
Keep it handy in the kitchen or office. Something may come to mind during the week that you may need. Did you just run out of mustard? Jot it down while it’s fresh in your mind.
By being organized in the kitchen and planning ahead for the market, you are saving yourself time and money and possibly losing weight in the process. We all love a little extra cash in our wallets and a little extra time in our day.
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. Kristin has appeared on air on www.talkstreamradio.com and Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio. Her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Her CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start and is available at the following locations listed here. She is also available for organizing workshops.
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