Shopping With Speed

If you are looking to streamline your shopping experience and cut valuable time from this area of your lives, then you need to consider speed shopping. It is not about running people down in the store and taking people out with your trolley but being focused on getting the items on your list and moving forward around the shopping area, picking just the items you need and heading towards the checkout. It is possible that you will face delays in the queue, especially this time of the year, so the quicker you move towards the checkout the quicker the shopping experience will be over and you can move on to the next task.

Plan Your Shopping

It is important that you know what you need before you go to the shops and this is key to speed shopping. You must write a shopping list, you have options as to how you write this list and on what medium you choose.

Writing a list as you run out of things is a great way, I have always encouraged all members of my household that if they finish something then they must write it on the shopping list, it was a great way to teach writing skills as my children grew up. For this I have always maintained a shopping pad and a pen that is easily accessible, so a quick note when I realise something is running low has saved me on many occasions.

You could opt to write your shopping list on your phone and that way you don’t need a list but you will need to add items to your list as other people finish the items.

One option that I have seen in use in the supermarket is just taking a picture on your phone of the list and then use this as you shop, this is a great idea if you are looking to get the items as quickly and less stressful as possible.

Finalise Your Shopping Budget

Before you go shopping you should always know the amount of money that you have available for the items you require. You can set this depending how you’re paid; if you’re paid monthly just put the money away for the weeks and either get the money out cash or pay by card, making sure that you are not going over your allocated spending limit.

If you are looking to stay within a certain limit the only way you can do this is to add up the prices as you are picking them up. You can do this in your head if you are good at maths or alternatively you can take a calculator with you to the store.

I use my phone, which has a calculator app, and this allows me to keep a track of all the money that I am spending.

Remove The Distractions

It is important that you have limited distractions if you intend to speed shop, then you need to do this probably without any young children who demand a lot of attention. If you have to take them with you then it is important that they have something important to do. I always would ask them to look after my list and would have the opposite side blank so they could draw whilst I was shopping. This was the perfect distraction and even now they are young adults, a pen and paper in their hands does often lead to doodle drawing.

Therefore, if you are looking to complete your shopping quickly then give speed shopping a go. Just remember to ensure your budgeting is up to speed before you head out the door.