Grocery shopping like an adult isn’t just about only buying vegetables and skipping the candy aisle. It’s about planning, budgeting and making choices that your future self will thank you for when you’re tired, hungry and tempted to order takeout again. You’re already practising good adulting skills by saving money on insurance, and you can take things a step further for both your financial health and your physical health by learning how to navigate the supermarket like a pro.  

Here is your complete guide to adulting at the grocery store.

Make a plan 

Before you even think about stepping into a store, you need a plan. This isn’t just about writing down “milk” and “bread.” It’s about creating a checklist that works for your lifestyle and your wallet. 

What do you need? 

Start by checking your fridge, freezer, and pantry. What’s running low? What’s about to expire? Then plan your meals for the week and build your list around them. (If you’re looking for easy meal planning, we’ve got you covered.) 

What’s in your budget? 

Set a weekly grocery budget and stick to it. You should leave some room in your budget for an inflation surprise as prices, especially for produce and meat, will fluctuate.  

It’s also important to be flexible once you get to the store. If chicken thighs are on sale but you planned on chicken breasts, pivot! Substitutions can save you money without sacrificing on quality or quantity. Flexibility also means that if you’re under budget then you can get something tasty that catches your eye. Treat yourself (responsibly)!  

Order your list by aisle 

Organize your list by store sections to avoid zigzagging. Grocery stores have been designed with this a certain path in mind, so why swim upstream? Try to follow this route to maximize your grocery-shopping experience: 

1.     Produce 

2.     Bakery 

3.     Meat & seafood 

4.     Dairy 

5.     Pantry items 

6.     Frozen foods (always get these last so that they’re still frozen when you get home) 

Shopping for a household

If you’re doing the shopping for your family or roommates, give them access to the rough draft of your grocery list, and then try following these steps:

·       Create a communal list using a shared Notes app or Google Doc. Or you can embrace tradition and use a piece of paper, a pencil, a magnet and your fridge.

·       Structure it clearly: Use categories like “Essentials,” “Snacks,” and “Requests.” 

·       Review and revise before you leave. Cross off duplicates and clarify vague entries like “cereal.”

Organizing your household grocery list in advance will save you time and money while reducing the risk of getting a “You forgot my...!” text.

How you carry your groceries matters 

Adult grocery shopping isn’t just about what you buy. It’s also about how you get it home. Take your method of transportation into account when you’re putting together your grocery list. If you’re walking or taking public transit then your list should be shorter than if you were driving. You need to carry it all home, after all!

Bring reusable bags (they can hold more food and will save you money in the long run) and maybe even a cooler bag for your frozen items. You can order bulky items like paper towels online and you may even save money with a delivery subscription. 

It’s also important to think about which grocery cart you use. Groceries stores didn’t make their carts larger for your convenience. People tend to fill whatever cart they’re pushing. Have a short grocery list? Grab the smaller cart or even a basket to avoid temptation. 

Think ahead by cooking in bulk 

Get ahead on the cooking when you have some spare time. This doesn’t mean you have to take the fun out of cooking and eating. Meal prepping has mistakenly gotten a boring reputation; you can make a stew with whatever ingredients you want. You’re an adult! 

·       Make food in bulk: Chili, stew, curry and pasta sauces freeze beautifully. 

·       Freeze in portions: Use containers or freezer bags labeled with the date. 

·       Meal prep: Chop veggies, marinate meat and pre-portion ingredients to speed up your weeknight meals. 

This way, when you’re tired or tempted to order delivery, you’ve got a meal ready to go. Money saved!

Reflect after each trip 

Adulting is all about learning and adjusting. Take a moment before and after you go to the store to ask yourself these questions: Did you throw any food out? Maybe you bought more of it than you needed last time. Use this info to adjust your quantities or meal plan. Did you stay on budget? If not, review your receipt and identify where you overspent. Reflecting will help you improve on your shopping so that you don’t waste food and money. 

 Want more room in your grocery budget? Save on insurance by getting a free quote from Sonnet.