Read this - 5w2h in groceries shopping

A method to plan my shopping trips using the 5W2Hs

Example:

Usage

0. Download the Excel/ODS file and open it.

1. (Optional) Add planned and shopped dates.

2. Enter your budget (cell I1).

3. Browse the flyers and choose the items you like.

4. In each row, log down what the item is, where to get it and its listed price.

   • Use shortcodes as listed in $Discount sheet (e.g. fb for Food Basics). The workbook will VLOOKUP() relevant stores to find discounts (disc)

   • Toggle on tax (tax) if necessary (0=no tax (default), 1=taxed)

5. Assign category to each line item (vegetables? fruits? meat? i.e. why you buy it)

6. Sort table by category.

7. For each category, choose the best deal(s) based on price and where, and input quantity bought in quantity. Try not to go over your budget.

8. Sort table by where, and filter out empty values in quantity. You will have a list of your final items.

9. Determine when to shop - which store to go first-to-last in a particular order.

10. (optional, in groups) Determine who to shop for each store.

Notes: Edit the Discount sheet and the discount/tax rates per your needs.

Flyers

For simplicity, use Flipp -> https://flipp.com

Otherwise, here is a list of relevant store flyers

Groceries

• FoodBasics
• Real Canadian Superstore
• No Frills
• Walmart
• Giant Tiger [a]
• Metro
• ValuMart [a],[b]
• FreshCo
• Loblaws
• Sobeys
• Costco [a]

Non-groceries

• Rexall [a],[b]
• Shopper's Dryg Mart [a],[b]
• Forest City Surplus
• Canadian Tire

[a]: requires zip code
[b]: requires store selection

Additions welcomed.

Advanced usage

Suggested syntax of what field

In camel case:

  [item name]
+ [item characteristics]
+ [brand name] 
+ [unit of measurement]

Examples:

- onionsRed7lb
- broccoli1ea (one each)
- detergentBrandName700ml

This makes it easier to fuzzy-query item name and prices per kg/lb. Sorting by item name first is also good for comparisons.

Discussions on improvements welcomed.

Discounts setup

Go to the Discount worksheet to set up the stores and their shortcodes.

Other tips

• "Duplicate sheet" to create new plans every week.

• Set a timer towards your next bus to avoid wasting time¹ in the store.

• Think of shopping not as a relaxing period, but a game we have to play in life.

Footnotes

1. "Time is money only when you have money. If you don't have money, time doesn't mean shit" - D.J. ↩