hazeydaze avatar
hazeydaze
3
8 months ago

Tips and tricks for grocery shopping plzz

I struggle so hard with grocery shopping. The anxiety that comes from the initial act of going to the store, and then the overstimulation while at the store is overwhelming. Not to mention the struggle with making a grocery list… Do I get everything from one place? Would it be cheaper at another store? What brand do I get? Canned or fresh vegetables? Anybody a pro shopper with some tips to help? I truly can’t afford to keep blowing my money on takeout.

NKOTBMOMA avatar
NKOTBMOMA
7mo

Need to try the list feature. 🤔 I use grocery pick up constantly.

mamachaos avatar
mamachaos
7mo

I spent 4 hours at Walmart without even realizing it…. Just regular grocery shopping….over analyzing every little thing… changing my mind a 100 times…. I try to make a conscious effort not to do that again lol

adhdmama121 avatar
adhdmama121
7mo

I do a lot of grocery pickup if the order is really large. If not I write my list by category. Start with the non perishables and move to those last. I utilize the scan and go app for my store so I can check balance, bag as I go and spend less time In the checkout

savannahcaraway avatar
savannahcaraway
7mo

I refuse to go grocery shopping, unless I am with my partner. If he is not able to go with me, I do drive up pick up option or delivery only. I will not go grocery shopping alone in person; it’s so overstimulating and overwhelming. 

adhdhasme avatar
adhdhasme
7mo

I share a family shopping list via Google with the other adults in the house. That way one person does the shopping, and things get added to one list as people recognize what needs purchased. I find something is out or low and I add it to the list right then so it is not forgotten. I work with others in the house to plan a week worth of meals. Add items to the list, that are not already in the house. Then once a week the shopping is done. I agree with going at night or when there are less people in the stores as it is less overwhelming.

chris.the.nerd avatar
chris.the.nerd
7mo

I find that doing order delivery or pickup works well for me. I can add items to my shopping cart between orders as I think of them, no store anxiety, can schedule when convenient, and much fewer impulse buys.

ladydeath avatar
ladydeath
7mo

I place my order through there app so I can take my time put items in and out of my cart and watch how much I spend then I don’t get trapped in to buying things I don’t need… most of the time

misscarter73 avatar
misscarter73
7mo

I always use the pick up service where you use the app and then you go pick it up (food city Walmart winn Dixie etc)that’s such a lifesaver. That way you don’t have to deal with any of the crap that you have to deal with in the store and you can take your time picking your items out in the app , the worst that happens is you have to just reschedule your pickup time . It was a true game changer for me!

kelastressfree avatar
kelastressfree
7mo

Go alone! I went at night fewer individuals I can take my time. So you can concentrate on what’s needed! My adhd use to cause me to overspend I would take out a few hundred at the bank that way I wouldn’t defer from my list. Make a list and the night before I would break everything in categories IE Meat, Dairy, Snacks, Beverages etc this helped me a lot.

1baseballmomof3 avatar
1baseballmomof3
7mo

I use Walmart online! I use their List feature with regular meals having their own list of ingredients, a list of “staples” and one for regular items. At checkout they also pop up items I usually order, just in case. Then I have them delivered! No store or shopping anxiety! No impulsive buying! This has been a LIFESAVER for me!

LindaMy avatar
LindaMy
7mo

I have a list on my phone with stuff i usually buy. That way i wont forget if i know something has run out. I try to check it as "need to buy" when I know it. But I'm often lazy... I have a list of meals me and the kiddos like. I use that to help me prepp. I koftan buy frozen greens since it wont perish as fast. If I know I'll eat it within two days I buy it fresh. I try to buy food for the whole week. I try to have a few recipies thats more complex. But I wont overdo it since i know my limits. Sometimes I switch meal days if I'm too lazy. I have a specific day planned for shopping. That way its easier. I plan the week a different day so it wont overwhealm me.

sarcasticsweete avatar
sarcasticsweete
7mo

Although I hate you have to go through that, I also struggle with that. In fact it’s one of my main things that triggers my anxiety and overstimulates me so badly. Hope you find something that works! 🙂

unmasked avatar
unmasked
8mo

I thought the grocery store struggle was just me🥹🫠😊

kelastressfree avatar
kelastressfree
7mo

Oh no mam! After Covid it really hot bad for me I only got them delivered. I had to stop that because they wouldn’t get everything I asked for or they would get the wrong things if they did at all.

tealturdsandie avatar
tealturdsandie
8mo

Also Aldi’s is good as it’s only 5 aisles. Not so overwhelming but shield your eyes thru the home/accessories part, so many deals to tantalize you.

loveday avatar
loveday
7mo

This as it doesn't give you so many options and I treat the middle aisles as a bonus

NKOTBMOMA avatar
NKOTBMOMA
8mo

Curbside pickup from Walmart saves me time, stress & money. I like to look at everything if I go inside & often buy more than food. Curbside helps eliminate the time spent inside the store & extra cost.

tealturdsandie avatar
tealturdsandie
8mo

Ditto this… I use pickup at Meijers and the app has a section “buy again” that makes it an easier reminder of what I may need.

jellybeanqueen avatar
jellybeanqueen
8mo

For me, texting my grocery list to my husband helps keep me motivated to stick to the list. I buy ready made breakfast sandwiches I can just microwave and go. After dropping off my son at school I go to the store for non perishable items to put in the trunk. Then I run errands. When I pick up my son from school we go to the store to pick up a snack item and dinner for the night, then drive home. Try to spend 10-15 minutes at the store each time and nothing more. You just need the food for that day. Buying food too far ahead of time means I’m less likely to actually want to cook or eat it. Go simple with one or two fresh fruits and veggies for between meals. Make kids lunches the night before. You’ll know what you have and don’t have on a daily basis.

bubblesbling avatar
bubblesbling
8mo

I live is AUS.. so I don't know where you are but when I crunched the numbers, I realised the chilled ready made fitness meals are actually saving me money and HEAPS of time and executive functioning battery life compared to groceries. I have a smoothie for breakfast each day and a ready meal for lunch and dinner unless my partner cooks for us both. Takes a lot of strain off him too. I can't tell you how much it has helped me and my mental health! I am childless, so I understand that this is not possible for a lot of people, but if you can manage it, highly recommend. It's also a definite way of meeting all my nutritional needs. Because honestly.. the idea of trying to keep myself fuelled well without this now?? I don't know how I coped. Guess I didn't! But now you have a golden nugget of a tip! 💜🫂

missmadison avatar
missmadison
8mo

Curbside helps a lot! Its not as expensive as delivery. I get everything from one place to save time and energy. Usually the regular grocery store is the best bet (specific store depends on your location). Stores like Costco and Sam’s Club are most cost friendly but they are only helpful if you are able to shop in bulk. If you don’t eat a ton or have a family to feed, that may not be the best choice. Brand shopping depends on budget. If you are funds limited, store/generic brand will be your friend. I usually shop store brand for everything except cereal and soda. If you like cooking, fresh veggies are your friend. They are generally healthier bc they don’t contain extra preservatives (canned) and havent lost essential vitamins (frozen). But they require extra prep time and expire. Fresh fruits are good for the same reason but they don’t require extra prep. There are websites that have free meal plans (with grocery list). This can help you with your list. Just try to keep it simple. Buy what you like/what you’ll eat. Explore a little at a time, otherwise it will continue to be overwhelming 💕

shydiva avatar
shydiva
8mo

Online ordering and either curbside pickup or delivery has been a game changer for me.

mxssing avatar
mxssing
8mo

Utilise ingredients already purchased and create meal plans. Then go for cookbooks/recipe websites where you can make 4-5 ingredients or less recipes that are easy

squirrel-girl avatar
squirrel-girl
8mo

I shop online and use “curbside” pick up where I am. It saves the list I make, so I always start with that list when making a new order. With the exception of 4-6 items, we usually get a lot of the same stuff off the list. This helps me a) not be overwhelmed or distracted in-store, and b) remember all the usual stuff b/c I have to scroll past it on my list.

1baseballmomof3 avatar
1baseballmomof3
7mo

We recently got Kroger delivery in our area. It seems weird to me because there is not a Kroger for maybe 100 miles. But they opened a distribution site and deliver from there!

hazeydaze avatar
hazeydaze
8mo

I’ve never used curbside but always considered it! I have a ton of Krogers near me that do it - I’ll give it a shot!

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