Living solo has its perks: independence, quiet time, a (mostly) clean space, and, of course, freedom. But as much as I enjoy my personal space, there’s one thing that I can always count on to test my time management skills: grocery shopping.
I find real joy in the process. I mean it might be my slightly rumbling tummy talking, but who doesn’t love strolling through aisles and getting lost in the endless possibilities of food and snacks?
However, the reality of living alone means juggling a million things at once, and as much as I’d love to spend hours picking out the perfect mango or browsing the packaging of every item, I’ve learned to strategically get in and out of the store.
I’ve made grocery planning work for my busy solo life and here are some tips that might be helpful to you.
1. Create a running list of grocery items
Lists are non-negotiable if you want to be a smart shopper. You need to be able to keep track of what’s in your fridge, pantry, and bathroom.
I’m a fan of old-school paper and pen, but I also utilize smartphones to make this whole thing a lot easier. Organization is key here so it’s your choice whether you prefer scribbling on a piece of scratch paper or saving it in your phone’s notes.
Now when it comes to segmenting, I try to keep it simple by categorizing my list into three columns, DRY, WET and PANTRY. Here’s what that might include:
- DRY
- Cleaning supplies
- Toiletries
- Household items
- WET / Perishables
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Meats
- Frozen
- Dairy
- PANTRY
- Canned goods
- Rice or noodles
- Snacks
- Beverages
I’ve stuck my grocery list on my fridge door, but often, I keep it close, especially when I’m in my workspace, for easy access. This lets me brain dump right away whenever a ‘need’ or ‘want’ item suddenly creeps in.
This leads me to my second tip.
2. Write down items the moment you realize they’re depleting
Take this scenario for example: You’re making your morning coffee, and in a half awake state, you just about noticed that the creamer’s almost gone.
In such case, when you know you might have the tendency to barely remember things, it would be wise to not wait until the weekend grocery trip to try remembering said creamer. Write down the item needed right then and there.
It could be as minor as the last of your toothpaste or an essential food item like the chicken you’ve been meaning to make tinola (Filipino chicken ginger soup). The not-so-secret to avoiding those frantic, last-minute grocery runs is to be proactive and mindful.
Living alone means that you’re the juan responsible for every little detail, so it’s essential to stay on top of things before they sneak up on you. The goal here is to save time, energy, and mental space. Trust me, the fewer trips to the store, the better. You don’t want to end up running back just for that one thing you forgot (that’s your cue to write down chicken cubes).
3. Menu planning: your best friend
If you love need cooking at home, menu planning is a game-changer. Before heading out to the grocery store, take a few minutes to list down what you want to cook for the week. It helps keep you focused on what you really need, and makes it easier to buy ingredients in bulk. That means fewer trips, less stress, and a fridge full of prepped meals that you can easily grab.
Shop your home first and plan to use what you have. Always check your fridge and food cupboard to see if there are any leftover veggies, canned goods, or snacks from last week’s meals that you can incorporate into your upcoming menu. Not only does this help you save money, but it also reduces food wastage, which is a win-win.
4. Pick a set time to shop
We’re all busy. Between work, social commitments, and the occasional nap, grocery shopping can often feel like an afterthought.
So I’ve found that scheduling it into your week can make a huge difference. For example, I aim to grocery shop on a designated day, ideally, in the morning during the weekdays.
If you find that your schedule allows you to do the same, then try doing it because:
- You get fresher items when you go early
- You have more variety in perishables
- The crowd is smaller, and there are fewer people fighting over the freshest mango or pork spareribs (any juan care to share recipes that make spareribs get sold out quick?)
- Shorter checkout queues, which means less time spent standing around wondering if you should’ve picked up that extra bar of Bueno chocolate
Plus, it feels so much more efficient than scrambling to find time on a Saturday afternoon when the aisles are packed.
5. Bring your own eco bag
It’s an easy one to forget, but carrying an eco bag in your day bag at all times can save you some chump change and avoid clutter. Not only are eco bags great for the environment, but it’s convenient too. Having a bag ready means you’re prepared no matter where your day takes you. Need to pick up a few items on the way home from work? Done. Heading to the grocery store straight after your Zoom meeting? No problem.
The trick I adapt for being aware that I forget things, is that I also keep the handwritten grocery list (from #1) tucked inside my purse before I head out, so if I happen to stop by the grocery store out of convenience, I’ve got everything I need without having to rethink what’s missing from my fridge.
6. Try online grocery shopping as a backup
Life gets hectic, and there are times when heading to the store just isn’t in the cards. But that’s not a reason to settle for takeout or skip the grocery run altogether. Enter online grocery shopping.
Some days, I just can’t make it to the grocery store, but with a couple of taps on my phone, I get fresh groceries delivered straight to my door the same day. Many of the ones I’ve tried are:
- SM Markets
- GrabMart
- Metromart
- Landers
- Pandamart
Online shopping is convenient, fast, and it’s exactly what I need for those “I-can’t-do-this-today” moments.
Plus, when you’ve got a running list, online shopping is a breeze. You can search for your items and have them delivered without the hassle of wandering the aisles. And if you’re like me that tend to get excited seeing foils of chips and colorful boxes of teas, online shopping keeps your impulse buys in check.
Time to shop smart
Grocery shopping might seem like one of those mundane tasks that comes with living alone, but it doesn’t have to feel like a chore. By staying organized, planning ahead, and embracing a few simple strategies, you can make grocery shopping work for you.
The best part? Once you’ve got this all figured out, grocery shopping becomes almost effortless. No more scrambling to grab forgotten items, no more food waste, and no more chaotic trips to the store. Just the inevitable joy of coming home with a bagful of BBQ chips (and maybe some veggies), one step at a time.
