Don’t worry, we’ve all been there, and we’ve all wanted to come home faster. We’ve written this article to show you how you can go grocery shopping effectively and still be home early.

You need to keep in mind that, if the line is the shortest, it doesn’t always mean that it will go faster. Just wait for a bit and look around. See how every line is progressing and then go to the most efficient one.

When you’re ready to pay, look for the fastest moving checkout line.

Make sure you take into account all the other factors that might hold up the line, such as a newbie cashier, or an angry customer that just wants to talk to the manager. We’ve all seen them. also, you need to keep in mind that it’s not a good idea to start talking to the cashiers, as it might become an endless conversation.

Don’t forget to see what the person in front of you wants to buy. If their cart is full, then you might want to go to another line.

Put your items in a certain order

You get to the waiting line and you need to put the items you want to buy on the conveyor belt. In this case, you don’t need to make your life harder.

First put the heaviest things (which are usually put at the bottom of the cart , such as boxes of soda, dog food).   These items will go in a separate bag.

Then,  put the rest of the items on the belt, that are lighter and that can fit around all the other groceries.  Put them together with those items that already have a “bag” of their own, like eggs, bread and milk.

You might want to think this grouping ahead, as it will be easier for you to place them on bags when you’re at the cash register.

Also, if there’s enough room, you can start unloading your cart while the person that was in front of you finishes putting their items and paying. This way, you save yourself some time.

Bag your own groceries

You don’t need just to stay there in line, you can bag your own things. After the cashier scanned an item, you can put it yourself in the bag. This way, you’ll leave the store faster and the cashier will sure be grateful for the help.

All you need to do is to take into account the fact that the bottom of the bag is for the heaviest items. The cold items should be put together, and the easily damaged goods, like eggs, should be placed on the top.

You can always use a reusable tote bag, as it offers more space then all the ordinary grocery bags. This will also help you a lot, as you won’t have to make a lot of trips to the car, and then back to get the rest of the bags. You also help the environment.

Use the self-checkout station

There will be times when you’d only have a few items, so it’s better to skip the register and do this whole thing yourself.

These lines are often much shorter and you will be able to scan and bag the items at your pace – as fast as you’d like.

The best part of using the self-check station, is that you won’t have to wait for the change to be calculated.

However, you need to keep in mind that this is still a line, and it needs to be used the same way you’d use the express lane.  This often times means that you cannot get more than 12 items, or even fewer.

The thing with the self-checkout station is that it will slow down the whole process and it might take you some time, since you’ll have to weigh each item, and them enter the product code individually for each item you got. So make sure you have enough time to spend there.

Some final tips

It’s best to write the shopping list, then place it on the refrigerator or on a bulletin board, so each member of the family can add items to the list. This is easier, and you won’t have to keep asking the same question to all the members of the family.

You might want to use a basket rather than a cart, as it will be easier for you to move into the store if you need just a few things.

If you don’t find a particular thing that you need, you better go and ask a member of the staff. He or she will be more than glad to help you and this way you won’t waste time on searching that respective item.

Download apps like Paprika or Pepperplate, as they will help you in organizing your list of groceries. It’s much easier.

If you live in a metropolitan area, you might want to make the most out of online grocery delivery services. It’s best to use it when you don’t have enough time to go out and shop, and then start cooking a meal, after a long day at work.