Spring Clean It!

On Tuesday I started a new series for the month of April on the topic of cleaning and organization. I've been in spring cleaning mode lately and have been going through some of my books on the topic. This series is about sharing some of the best tips and tricks I find as I read. 

I'll just share one tip for today. I found it a few years ago and it's been a keeper. It's a tip on how to better plan/organize your grocery shopping, and, if you have a few kids like me, it's really important to be as efficient as possible when going through the grocery store. That free cookie (from the Safeway bakery) only lasts so long. Anybody else know what I'm talking about?


Drum roll please...

"The key to organized grocery shopping is a good list. Take five to ten minutes to figure out the layout of your supermarket. Or next time you go, take a pencil and paper and jot down the general categories in each aisle. Start with the aisle where you generally begin your shopping. This way your list will tell you what you need in the correct sequence: If aisle 1 has paper goods, then your list will note first that you need napkins and paper towels, and so on. Once the chart is drawn up, make photocopies of it to use on future shopping trips."
Source: Organize Yourself, Ronni Eisenberg & Kate Kelly


This is such a great way to shop. It does take some advance planning, but it's so worth it! I always start in the produce section so fruits and veggies will be first on my list. Then it's dairy, baby stuff, frozen foods, cereal, canned goods, bread, meat, etc. 

What are some of your tricks for better efficiency when grocery shopping?


-Sarah