"Set It and Forget It" Shopping
Nothing is more aggravating than returning home from the store--grocery store, drug store, or big-box store--and realizing that you forgot an item! It's frustrating, too, to open the kitchen cabinet and find that you are completely out of whatever it is you were looking forward to having. It leaves you disappointed in a way that makes you feel childish--"But Ireally wanted that!" This is why I am a fan of "set it and forget it" shopping.
What is "Set It and Forget It" Shopping?
Set it and forget it shopping is a way to purchase non-perishables in a large enough, but reasonable, quantity that enables you to make fewer store trips without running out of the item. It is a way to save time and money, and always have what you need at your disposal. The 'mental grocery list' will not be as long, and you will have one less thing to think about!
Items to "Set and Forget"
While not every item on your grocery list should be purchased in larger quantities (I'm looking at you, strawberries), there are plenty of non-perishables that can. Here is a list of candidates:
- Laundry Products
- Dishwasher Pods/Liquid/Powder
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Multi-Purpose Cleaners
- Shelf-stable Milks
- Powdered Peanut Butter
- Snack Bars
- Aluminum Foil
- Non-stick Cooking Sprays
- Toothpaste
- Dental Floss
- Garbage Bags
- Pet Dental Chews
- Pet Food
- Cat Litter
- Razor Blades
You get the idea. The point is that whatever is on your list of items for "set and forget" shopping should be non-perishable and something that you use on a consistent basis. Because you use the particular product frequently, you're more likely to run out of it quicker. Purchase the larger quantity, and you'll have to spend less mental energy of keeping track of what you need to buy, and when you need to buy it.
A Note About Mental Energy
According to Psychology Today, mental energy is at the heart of everything we do. Processing information--which these days, comes at us like a tsunami--consumes mental energy. Self-control, decision-making, dreaming and planning for the future all require mental energy. You've probably heard the stories of former President Barak Obama owning a closet full of navy-blue suits, in order to escape decision-fatigue on what to wear. He was conserving mental energy, because he had more pressing issues to think about besides what to wear!
The same goes for you! Don't you have more important things to think about than remembering to buy shampoo? Of course you do! This is why I am such a fan of set it and forget it shopping, because it does free up mental space.
Set It and Forget It, With a Caveat
To be clear, there is an obvious danger in the 'forget it' portion of that phrase. You might forget that you have already purchased an item! That's why it is important to apply this only to things you use frequently. Party goods are one category of product that comes to mind for me. Paper plates, cocktail napkins, and paper cups are generally not things I use on a daily basis. However, I always like to have extra on hand for casual get-togethers. By the time the next party rolls around, I forget that I have them, or have stored them improperly and now they are wrinkled or dusty. So, I buy more--including that little extra...and around it goes, and I wind up with an excess of unusable party goods! The 'forget it' portion is not literal, so to speak. Only to the extent that you don't have to constantly fret over running out of something you genuinely need.
Does "set it and forget it" shopping sound like it would work for you, but you hate the hassle of shopping at warehouse stores? ChoreVoyant is not afraid of taking on the crowded parking lot, the tough-to-navigate aisles, and the long checkout lines! We have helped clients manage the inventory of their pantries, bathroom closets, and utility rooms. Click here to connect with Marcia about how she can help establish a "set it and forget it" shopping routine for you.
