Even less curation: Order your groceries online. Search for exactly what you want from your keyboard. Pick up or have delivered. Boom. Also: comparison shop online before going to a store so you know what you're looking for. Certain websites (like REI) allow you to choose different things, e.g., shoes, and compare them. Cut down your clothes, jewelry, toiletries, etc. to only your favorites.
Yes- came here to say this, simply because my grocery store app reminds me what I ordered before and I just stick to the tried and true favorites. Such a time saver!
I came here to say this too—I live in the country about 30 minutes from the grocery store and that means each trip is a time sink. So picking up means just a little over an hour of my week—and I’m sometimes doing other errands, which feels like “something for nothing”—which is exactly the length of time I have it in me to care about it. Only occasionally do I need something so specific that it’s worth it to me to go in.
Marion, your comment made me think of a reframe/mental hack from a budgeting expert I interviewed. She recommended batching all your errands on one day to keep excessive spending at bay because you will be aware of all the errand purchases adding up, vs. spreading them out over a week where you have a number of instances where you think, "oh this is just $10 extra." So, your batch erranding is probably subconsciously helping you budget. :-)
Love it! (And love REI!) I may be odd in this respect but I still do like going to the grocery store and find TJs somewhat soothing. During the pandemic I did curbside and some delivery and though they did a wonderful (and admirable given the circumstances) job, but I missed prowling around. Ha!
We gave Costco a try and absolutely hated it. Every visit was like going to Disney World or something. Completely overwhelming. I realized my ideal would be to walk into an old mercantile like on Little House on the Prairie and just telling the grocer what I need - 5 pounds of flour and a bag of nails. 😂
Costco is an intense experience! Somehow I managed to push through my initial overwhelm and figure out how to handle it: I have my list of 15 things I get there, I listen to music on my noise canceling headphones the whole time and NEVER look in the center area where the stock changes frequently. I can be in and out in 30 minutes, but yeah, avoiding it altogether is wise as well!
This is PERFECTION. It's reminding me of one related nuance. Even when I go to Trader Joe's I like going to the SAME ONE EVERY TIME (lol) because I find that I get overwhelmed and confused when I go to a different one where the layout is different!
I do strategic trips for hardware/home stores. Canadian Tire (hardware/kitchen/cleaning/paint/garden) has most things of this ilk we need. I go in with a list after looking up which aisles the items are stocked in. Wandering aisles (and in grocery stores) used to be soothing or at least interesting but now I’m so uninterested in shopping that wandering feels hellish.
First, CANADIAN TIRE!!!!! I lived in Kingston, Ontario during grad school so I feel like I have a tiny stake of Honorary Canadian. :-) Going in with a list is definitely key.
Costco is way too peopley for me. We usually order online and just get delivery these days. If we ever have some crazy reason to go in person, we plan for half an hour before closing when our Costco is extremely quiet and go with a list so we are in and out in about 10 minutes.
(Seeing Costco compared to Disneyland is spot on. Crowds, lines, and people wandering about looking like lost zombies. Not to mention the way someone with a giant cart suddenly stops right in front of me or is nipping at my ankles with their cart wheels. Nope.)
Ironically, this is one of the reasons that I love Costco! They don’t carry 80 flavors of cereal... just a handful. If you want chicken nuggets, there’s one brand. Bath towels? Only one brand and often only 2-3 colors. For me, Costco means less decisions. I think that’s a reason the people find TJs more soothing... once you know you want tomato sauce, your decision is done. No comparing prices or brands or sizes in the aisle.
I only shop at one grocery store. And only one location of that grocery store. I like the limitations. Sometimes I will use Target Pickup for a couple of items that are out of stock at my Kroger (my single grocery store) and get those on the same day I pick up the Kroger order. Using primarily online pickup for groceries helps my choice overwhelm a lot.
I do this kind of thing with clothing too. Our income bracket is such that fast fashion is really our only way to go - but we are judicious about it and use it truly until it wears out. So I’m talking clothes from say, Old Navy. I find something I like and get it in a couple of colors and just make a uniform out of that. So for spring/summer my uniform is a high neck tunic tank top and linen capris. I have 2 black tank tops, a gray, and a striped. I have 2 pairs of black pants, a brown, and a light tan. And one pair of sandals. That’s it! Yes, I also have a couple dresses and pairs of shorts and other random things…but the uniform is what I wear the most. It’s so freeing.
I hear you on the overwhelm! With food sensitivities to dairy, gluten, and nightshades, and the biggest relief is knowing there are only a few items on a menu (let alone restaurants or cuisines) I can eat. And I haven't been inside a Costco for years for similar reasons—thank God for Instacart!
YES. At one point we thought one of my kids was gluten and dairy intolerant and I also went gluten-free (among many other things) for several years while I was dealing with inflammation problems so scouting out the places with options was key!
Always love reading your perspective on very down-to-earth topics that impact all of us. Oftentimes, I find myself reading and thinking to myself, "Hmmm, Christine has got a good point" Definitely too many choices, which just suffocates the mind with useless clutter. When it comes to shopping, I know what I want and if I don't know, I will do my research at home. Trying to comb through small labels at store makes me want to lie down in the aisle and take a nap....
Aw, thank you! And yes, I usually do research at home too, but was kind of in an urgent situation and needed to NOT have the thing happen where I find the thing I want/need online and then it is not in store LOL.
Even less curation: Order your groceries online. Search for exactly what you want from your keyboard. Pick up or have delivered. Boom. Also: comparison shop online before going to a store so you know what you're looking for. Certain websites (like REI) allow you to choose different things, e.g., shoes, and compare them. Cut down your clothes, jewelry, toiletries, etc. to only your favorites.
Yes- came here to say this, simply because my grocery store app reminds me what I ordered before and I just stick to the tried and true favorites. Such a time saver!
Yes! When I was doing curbside at Wegman's I loved that function. I use it for my fave local Thai place too LOL
I came here to say this too—I live in the country about 30 minutes from the grocery store and that means each trip is a time sink. So picking up means just a little over an hour of my week—and I’m sometimes doing other errands, which feels like “something for nothing”—which is exactly the length of time I have it in me to care about it. Only occasionally do I need something so specific that it’s worth it to me to go in.
Marion, your comment made me think of a reframe/mental hack from a budgeting expert I interviewed. She recommended batching all your errands on one day to keep excessive spending at bay because you will be aware of all the errand purchases adding up, vs. spreading them out over a week where you have a number of instances where you think, "oh this is just $10 extra." So, your batch erranding is probably subconsciously helping you budget. :-)
Oh, good point! It really does feel like “I’m spending all the money today” sometimes!
Love it! (And love REI!) I may be odd in this respect but I still do like going to the grocery store and find TJs somewhat soothing. During the pandemic I did curbside and some delivery and though they did a wonderful (and admirable given the circumstances) job, but I missed prowling around. Ha!
I prefer to go in-person to the grocery store, too, but I do overshop compared to ordering online!
Ah yes, the endcap aisle lure situation!
We gave Costco a try and absolutely hated it. Every visit was like going to Disney World or something. Completely overwhelming. I realized my ideal would be to walk into an old mercantile like on Little House on the Prairie and just telling the grocer what I need - 5 pounds of flour and a bag of nails. 😂
OMG YES, a million times over!
Costco is an intense experience! Somehow I managed to push through my initial overwhelm and figure out how to handle it: I have my list of 15 things I get there, I listen to music on my noise canceling headphones the whole time and NEVER look in the center area where the stock changes frequently. I can be in and out in 30 minutes, but yeah, avoiding it altogether is wise as well!
This is PERFECTION. It's reminding me of one related nuance. Even when I go to Trader Joe's I like going to the SAME ONE EVERY TIME (lol) because I find that I get overwhelmed and confused when I go to a different one where the layout is different!
Same! Reducing the cognitive load in these everyday tasks as much as possible makes life way easier.
Except if you trying to work up the courage to buy a dress with puffed sleeves and buy 20 pounds of brown sugar!
lol!
I do strategic trips for hardware/home stores. Canadian Tire (hardware/kitchen/cleaning/paint/garden) has most things of this ilk we need. I go in with a list after looking up which aisles the items are stocked in. Wandering aisles (and in grocery stores) used to be soothing or at least interesting but now I’m so uninterested in shopping that wandering feels hellish.
First, CANADIAN TIRE!!!!! I lived in Kingston, Ontario during grad school so I feel like I have a tiny stake of Honorary Canadian. :-) Going in with a list is definitely key.
Absolutely, Canada will claim you! 🇨🇦
Costco is way too peopley for me. We usually order online and just get delivery these days. If we ever have some crazy reason to go in person, we plan for half an hour before closing when our Costco is extremely quiet and go with a list so we are in and out in about 10 minutes.
(Seeing Costco compared to Disneyland is spot on. Crowds, lines, and people wandering about looking like lost zombies. Not to mention the way someone with a giant cart suddenly stops right in front of me or is nipping at my ankles with their cart wheels. Nope.)
Love the tactic of going in right before closing with a shortlist!
Ironically, this is one of the reasons that I love Costco! They don’t carry 80 flavors of cereal... just a handful. If you want chicken nuggets, there’s one brand. Bath towels? Only one brand and often only 2-3 colors. For me, Costco means less decisions. I think that’s a reason the people find TJs more soothing... once you know you want tomato sauce, your decision is done. No comparing prices or brands or sizes in the aisle.
That's great! Seriously, whatever works for the individual to reduce overwhelm is aces!
I like this! :)
I only shop at one grocery store. And only one location of that grocery store. I like the limitations. Sometimes I will use Target Pickup for a couple of items that are out of stock at my Kroger (my single grocery store) and get those on the same day I pick up the Kroger order. Using primarily online pickup for groceries helps my choice overwhelm a lot.
I do this kind of thing with clothing too. Our income bracket is such that fast fashion is really our only way to go - but we are judicious about it and use it truly until it wears out. So I’m talking clothes from say, Old Navy. I find something I like and get it in a couple of colors and just make a uniform out of that. So for spring/summer my uniform is a high neck tunic tank top and linen capris. I have 2 black tank tops, a gray, and a striped. I have 2 pairs of black pants, a brown, and a light tan. And one pair of sandals. That’s it! Yes, I also have a couple dresses and pairs of shorts and other random things…but the uniform is what I wear the most. It’s so freeing.
Thank you for sharing! And I am thrilled you have figured out a system that creates so much brain space!
I hear you on the overwhelm! With food sensitivities to dairy, gluten, and nightshades, and the biggest relief is knowing there are only a few items on a menu (let alone restaurants or cuisines) I can eat. And I haven't been inside a Costco for years for similar reasons—thank God for Instacart!
YES. At one point we thought one of my kids was gluten and dairy intolerant and I also went gluten-free (among many other things) for several years while I was dealing with inflammation problems so scouting out the places with options was key!
Always love reading your perspective on very down-to-earth topics that impact all of us. Oftentimes, I find myself reading and thinking to myself, "Hmmm, Christine has got a good point" Definitely too many choices, which just suffocates the mind with useless clutter. When it comes to shopping, I know what I want and if I don't know, I will do my research at home. Trying to comb through small labels at store makes me want to lie down in the aisle and take a nap....
Aw, thank you! And yes, I usually do research at home too, but was kind of in an urgent situation and needed to NOT have the thing happen where I find the thing I want/need online and then it is not in store LOL.