With your first apartment comes independence, freedom, and the inalienable right to walk around without pants. It also comes with a metric ton of responsibility and a lot of "firsts" to navigate. One of the biggest? Your first big grocery trip.
Of course you'll want the foods you love to eat (hello, Oreos), but you'll also need basics that mom (aka your IRL fair godmother) always has on hand.
Don't worry! We've got a few tips to help your survive your first outing.
Establish a budget.
You are initially going to need A LOT of stuff, so depending on your location, you should plan to modestly budget about $150 to $250. After that, grocery expenses can be budgeted around the frequency of store visits.
Also, be sure to look for coupons in the paper and online. But only use them on things you actually want. Saving 50 cents on a snack you otherwise wouldn't eat isn't really saving, especially if it goes to waste.
Make. A. List.
I cannot stress this enough: GO ROOM BY ROOM AND MAKE A LIST OF ESSENTIALS. Going into a grocery store blindly guarantees that your cart will be filled with 27 flavors of potato chips and no toilet paper. Make a list, stick to the list. Also, don't go when you're hungry!
Food is just the beginning.
Do you have cleaning supplies? Spices? Basic condiments? Nearly universal ingredients? No, and you're going to want to stock up on them now, lest you get adventurous and try cooking for the first time only to discover you don't have what you need.
Map out your trip.
Grocery shopping requires a battle plan. Begin in the dry aisles so boxes are on the bottom of the cart and refrigerated goods aren't out of ideal temperatures for long. Typically you'd want to go for refrigerated goods next (like yogurt and meats) and freezer items last.
Join the club!
Major markets often have savings clubs and memberships — and it is so worth it to join. Club members often get sweet deals on regularly priced items and buy-one-get-one opportunities. The best part? It's often free!
B.Y.O.B
Bring your own bags! It's good for the planet and, if you buy thermal bags, it'll keep your haul fresher on the way home.
