[PERSONAL PHOTO: Replace with your own photo of groceries organized by store, or shopping carts at different stores]
“Just shop at one store. It’s easier.”
That’s what everyone told me. One weekly trip. One shopping list. One cart. One checkout line. Simple.
So I tried it. For a month, I did all my grocery shopping at one store. I made comprehensive lists. I planned my route through the aisles. I consolidated everything into one trip.
And you know what? It took longer. It cost more. And it was more stressful.
Then I tried something counterintuitive: shopping at three different stores strategically. And it changed everything.
The One-Store Trap
Here’s what happened when I tried to shop at one store:
Longer Lists = More Wandering
When you’re shopping for everything at once, your list gets long. Really long. And long lists mean more wandering, more backtracking, more decision fatigue.
I’d start in produce, realize I forgot something in dairy, backtrack to dairy, then realize I needed something from the other end of the store. I was zigzagging through aisles, wasting time.
Decision Fatigue
By the time I got to the end of my list, I was exhausted. I’d grab whatever looked easiest, not what was best. I’d skip price comparisons because I was too tired to think. I’d make impulse purchases because I just wanted to be done.
Higher Costs
One-store shopping meant I was buying everything at regular grocery store prices. No bulk discounts. No Aldi savings. No Costco deals. I was paying premium prices for convenience that wasn’t actually convenient.
More Stress
The long list. The crowded store. The wandering. The decision fatigue. By the time I got home, I was exhausted and stressed. Not exactly the peaceful shopping experience I was promised.
PERSONAL QUOTE PLACEHOLDER: “[Insert your own quote here, something like: ‘I used to think shopping at one store would save time. Turns out, it just meant I spent more time wandering and more money on everything.’]”
My Three-Store System
After tracking my time and spending for a month, I realized: shopping at multiple stores strategically isn’t chaotic. It’s efficient.
Here’s my system:
Store 1: Costco (Monthly)
When: Once a month, usually the first Saturday Time: 30 minutes What I buy: Bulk staples only
- Meat (chicken breast, ground beef—I portion and freeze)
- Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels)
- Canned goods (tomatoes, beans)
- Oils and vinegars
- Rice and pasta (if I’m running low)
- Frozen vegetables (big bags)
Why it works: Costco is for staples I know I’ll use. I don’t browse. I don’t impulse buy. I have a list, I stick to it, I get out.
Time investment: 30 minutes monthly = 7.5 minutes per week
[PERSONAL PHOTO: Replace with your own photo of a Costco cart or bulk purchases]
Store 2: Aldi (Weekly)
When: Once a week, usually Tuesday or Wednesday morning Time: 20 minutes What I buy: Produce and weekly basics
- Fresh produce (fruits and vegetables)
- Milk and eggs
- Bread
- Cheese
- Snacks
- Anything else on my weekly list that’s not a bulk item
Why it works: Aldi is small and efficient. I know the layout. I can get in and out quickly. The prices are great, and the quality is good enough for most things.
Time investment: 20 minutes weekly
Store 3: Regular Grocery Store (As Needed)
When: Quick trips for specific items Time: 15 minutes per trip What I buy: Specific items I can’t get elsewhere
- Specific brands my family prefers
- Ingredients for new recipes
- Items Aldi doesn’t carry
- Last-minute needs
Why it works: I’m not doing a full shop here. I’m in and out. I know exactly what I need, I grab it, I leave.
Time investment: 15 minutes, 1-2 times per week = 15-30 minutes weekly
The Master Shopping List Organized by Store
Here’s how I organize my shopping:
Costco List (Monthly)
- Chicken breast (bulk)
- Ground beef (bulk)
- Canned tomatoes (bulk)
- Canned beans (bulk)
- Rice (if needed)
- Pasta (if needed)
- Olive oil
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Frozen vegetables (bulk)
Aldi List (Weekly)
- Produce (fruits and vegetables)
- Milk
- Eggs
- Bread
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Snacks
- Other weekly needs
Regular Grocery Store List (As Needed)
- Specific brand items
- Recipe-specific ingredients
- Items Aldi doesn’t carry
Having separate lists helps me stay focused. I’m not wandering. I’m not impulse buying. I’m just getting what I need from each store.
PERSONAL QUOTE PLACEHOLDER: “[Insert your own quote here, something like: ‘When I separated my shopping by store, I stopped wasting time. I know exactly what to get where, and I’m in and out quickly.’]”
How This Actually Saves 2-3 Hours Per Month
Let me break down the math:
One-Store Shopping (What I Used to Do)
- One weekly trip: 90 minutes (including travel, shopping, checkout, unloading)
- Monthly total: 360 minutes (6 hours)
Three-Store Shopping (What I Do Now)
- Costco monthly: 30 minutes
- Aldi weekly: 20 minutes × 4 = 80 minutes
- Regular grocery (as needed): 15 minutes × 6 = 90 minutes (2-3 trips per month)
- Monthly total: 200 minutes (3.3 hours)
Time saved: 160 minutes (2.7 hours) per month
Plus, I’m saving money. Aldi prices are significantly lower than regular grocery stores. Costco bulk prices save money on staples. I’m not impulse buying because I’m not wandering through aisles.
[PERSONAL PHOTO: Replace with your own photo of receipts showing savings, or a before/after comparison]
When This Doesn’t Work (And What to Do Instead)
This system works for me, but it might not work for everyone. Here’s when you might need a different approach:
If You Don’t Have Multiple Stores Nearby
If you live in a rural area or don’t have Costco/Aldi nearby, this system won’t work. In that case, focus on:
- Efficient one-store shopping (organized list, strategic route)
- Online grocery ordering (if available)
- Meal planning to reduce trips
If You Have Very Young Children
Shopping with multiple kids can be exhausting. In that case:
- Do Costco trips alone (during nap time or with a partner)
- Use Aldi pickup or delivery if available
- Minimize trips to regular grocery stores
If You Prefer One-Store Shopping
If you genuinely prefer one-store shopping and it works for you, keep doing it! The goal isn’t to change your system—it’s to optimize whatever system you use.
PERSONAL QUOTE PLACEHOLDER: “[Insert your own quote here, something like: ‘I know multi-store shopping sounds complicated, but for me, it’s actually simpler. Each store has a purpose, and I’m not wasting time wandering.’]”
The Key Principles
Whether you shop at one store or three, here are the principles that make shopping efficient:
1. Know Your Stores
Understand the layout. Know where things are. Don’t wander.
2. Have a List
Organize your list by store (or by aisle if you’re doing one-store shopping). Stick to it.
3. Shop Strategically
- Buy bulk items in bulk (but only if you’ll use them)
- Buy fresh items weekly (but only what you need)
- Buy specific items as needed (but don’t make extra trips)
4. Time Your Trips
Shop when stores are less crowded. For me, that’s Tuesday/Wednesday mornings. For you, it might be different.
5. Don’t Browse
Get in, get what you need, get out. Browsing leads to impulse buying and wasted time.
The Real Benefits
Beyond time and money savings, here’s what I’ve gained:
Less Stress
I’m not wandering. I’m not overwhelmed. I’m just getting what I need, efficiently.
Better Organization
Separate lists for separate stores help me stay organized. I know exactly what to get where.
More Flexibility
If I need something specific, I can grab it quickly. I’m not locked into a weekly mega-trip.
Reduced Food Waste
Buying weekly produce means it’s fresher when I buy it and gets used before it goes bad. Buying bulk staples means I always have basics on hand.
Making It Work for You
If you want to try multi-store shopping, here’s how to start:
- Identify your stores: What stores do you have access to? What are their strengths?
- Create separate lists: Organize your shopping list by store
- Start small: Try it for a week. Track your time and spending
- Adjust as needed: What works? What doesn’t? Adjust your system
Remember: the goal isn’t to shop at multiple stores. The goal is to shop efficiently, whatever that looks like for you.
Want to streamline your grocery shopping? Download our Store-Specific Shopping Lists—organized lists for Costco, Aldi, and regular grocery stores, designed to save you time and money.
[Download the Shopping Lists →]
How do you grocery shop? One store or multiple? Share your approach in the comments—we can all learn from each other!
