How many times a month should you shop for groceries? (2024)

How many times a month should you shop for groceries? (1)

If you're like many families these days, your schedule probably leaves you with less free time than you would prefer. The many obligations of running a household take a lot of time, and fitting everything in can be a real challenge. Supplying your family with healthful food options is a big part of managing a household and determining how many times per month you should grocery shop really comes down to two things. First, what is your grocery shopping goal? And second, what works best for your life?

If you're looking to save money and, ultimately, time, then you might want to consider a shopping schedule of one of two times per month. To accomplish this, you need to be really good at planning out your meals and you need to have a good stock of pantry staples for times when you're caught with your pants down, so to speak. You also have to be comfortable eating frozen or canned vegetables and fruits for a portion of the month. Most people who utilize the once-a-month plan eat fresh fruits and veggies in the first week, and wind up freezing certain items like milk and bread. Although the trip to the store will take longer, shopping less frequently definitely saves you time in the long run. You'll also be saving money, as studies have shown that quick trips to the store lead to impulse buying.

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The second question may be the most important: What works best for your life? While once- or twice-per-month shopping trips have been proven to save time and money, not everyone's life can accommodate it. If you're adamant about having fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, then a once-per-week trip is more realistic. If you can live with a mix of fresh and frozen or canned, then try twice a month. If your schedule is erratic and your time is short, you may fall victim to shopping several times per week, or even a daily "quick trip" to the store. You'll definitely be spending more time making trips, and likely spending more money than you should. So, even if you're busy and have a hard time making time for a larger shopping trip, try to keep your store visits down to no more than twice a week.

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Related Articles

  • "Reader Tips — Groceries." Americascheapestfamily.com. October 15, 2011. http://www.americascheapestfamily.com/tips/type/groceries
  • Roth, J.D. "Once a Month Shopping: Save More by Shopping Less." Getrichslowly.org. October 15, 2011. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/10/09/once-a-month-shopping-save-more-by-shopping-less/
  • "Successful Savings with Once-A-Month Grocery Shopping." Heartofthematteronline.com. October 15, 2011. http://heartofthematteronline.com/successful-savings-with-once-a-month-grocery-shopping/
How many times a month should you shop for groceries? (2024)

FAQs

How many times a month should you shop for groceries? ›

As for shopping on a daily basis, Ramhold doesn't recommend it for anyone. “Picking up some incidentals here and there on a daily or near-daily basis is fine, but for the majority, your shopping should be done on a weekly basis or more to prevent overspending,” she said.

How many times a month should you go grocery shopping? ›

You'll definitely be spending more time making trips, and likely spending more money than you should. So, even if you're busy and have a hard time making time for a larger shopping trip, try to keep your store visits down to no more than twice a week.

How often does the average person grocery shop? ›

The average shopper gets groceries 1.6 times per week, per Statista. The average shopper drives four miles to their favorite grocery store, per the USDA)

Should you go grocery shopping once a week? ›

Having a big weekly shop is the most useful plan on average. You can be organised by planning your meals and creating a shopping list in advance. This can help you avoid forgetting items or buying unnecessary items.

How often do you do food shopping? ›

Frequency of in-store grocery shopping among consumers in the UK 2020. In 2020, some 85 percent of consumers in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales shopped for food in grocery stores at least once per week. Specifically, most shoppers went for groceries between once and three times each week.

Is it better to grocery shop weekly or monthly? ›

It's hard to get fresh fruits and vegetables (and even meat) when you only shop once a month. It's better to go at least once a week, or even more often, to make sure you are getting fresh food.

How often does the average American go shopping? ›

According to a survey carried out in July 2023 in the United States, some 41 percent of respondents were shopping for groceries once a week. Another 29 percent were doing so two to three times a week, while only 6.2 percent shopped for groceries daily.

What is the most purchased grocery item in the US? ›

What is the most popular item in grocery stores? If the pun didn't make it obvious, the most popular grocery store item is bananas. Apparently, Americans can't get enough of the number one best-selling grocery store food. The average American consumes around 90 of the potassium-filled fruit every year.

What is the most popular day to go grocery shopping? ›

According to Drive Research, 59% of shoppers set out to grab groceries at the end of the week, with Saturday being the day of highest volume. Shocked? Probably not. Most of us are aware that stepping out on Saturday to do just about anything is often more convenient than jamming it into an already tiresome work week.

How long does the average person spend grocery shopping? ›

According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports, the average time people spend grocery shopping is about 41 minutes.

Should I grocery shop once a month? ›

Grocery shopping once a month has a ton of benefits for our family and helps us in the following ways: Save time—fewer grocery store trips. Save money—no grocery budget surprises plus the ability to buy in bulk. Less waste– fewer leftovers that get thrown out.

What day is the cheapest to buy groceries? ›

Specifically, many experts advise shopping on Wednesday and Thursday. Going to the store during the middle of the week can allow you to get better prices because many stores restock their shelves at this time when their weekly deliveries arrive.

What are the best days to go grocery shopping? ›

Wednesday is the best day of the week to go grocery shopping because stores are usually less crowded mid-week. For the freshest items, time your shop for store opening or closing. This increases the likelihood that bakery, deli, and other produce items were recently restocked.

How much should my grocery budget be? ›

According to the USDA guidelines, you might spend $979 a month on a thrifty plan, $1,028 on a low-cost plan, $1,252 on a moderate-cost plan and $1,604 on a liberal plan. The USDA guidelines can provide a starting point for a food budget, but they don't consider all the variables that can affect cost.

How to grocery shop effectively? ›

Preventive cardiology dietitian Kate Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD, shares 10 tips for smart shopping — and how to avoid draining your wallet.
  1. Shop for nonperishable items online. ...
  2. Buy perishable foods in quantities you'll use. ...
  3. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season. ...
  4. Buy meat and cereals in bulk. ...
  5. Be an informed shopper.
Nov 10, 2020

How much is too much for groceries per month? ›

Groceries, housing and other essentials should take up no more than 50% of your monthly income.

How much should a person spend on groceries per month? ›

On average, groceries cost between $290 and $548 per month for one person. However, expenses can vary depending on location, dietary choices and personal spending habits. If you don't budget for groceries and instead just buy what you need — and want — at intervals throughout the month, you could be overspending.

How many times a week do you go to the grocery store? ›

The Habit: We go to the store more than once a week. Statista reports that Americans visit the supermarket 1.6 times per week. That probably doesn't shock anyone. We all know what it's like to get home, start cooking a fabulous meal, then realize we're missing a key ingredient!

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