Let’s face it, no one WANTS to go grocery shopping when they are on vacation, but it’s a necessary evil if you want to save money and feed the hungry ones! Let’s go over some easy tips and ideas on what you can do to make your shopping experience better and more convenient, that will save you time that can be better spent at the beach!
Plan Your Meals
The #1 thing that I recommend is to “PLAN your meals for the week” ahead of time. This will reduce food waste and save lots of money and will allow you to spend less time in the grocery store. Many years ago, my love for perusing through my huge collection of cookbooks on a lazy Saturday morning, cup of coffee in hand, turned into planning my weekly meals, and I’ve done it for over 20+ years now. My cookbooks were my main inspiration. And, while I no longer have children at home, creating a meal plan that makes them happy campers should also be a must. If you need some ideas to get started, check out our Dining with a View series for some great recipes to make while on vacation. We’re constantly adding new posts, so bookmark it and check back often!
Make a List
Making a list before you go on vacation is a good way to save time and, if you’re on a food budget, it will keep you on track. Just make sure you stick to the list as best you can! If you’re driving and have extra room, it’s a good idea to see what you have on hand and bring it with you OR see what you have on hand and build a meal around that. Have items on hand but aren’t sure what to do with them, try out this SuperCook website to lend you a hand. And, before heading to the store, be sure to double check that you have all the key ingredients. Another time saving idea to avoid running all over the store, is to organize your list into categories of where the items are in the store (produce, canned goods).
Choose Delivery or Pick-Up
There are so many grocery stores that now offer online delivery or pick-up and you can place your order online before you leave for vacation, set a time and date and you can now skip the shopping, long check-out lines, AND avoid those purchases that aren’t on your list. We ALL know about those purchases! The extra sweets and goodies? A lot of stores offer free pick-up if you spend a certain amount, so it won’t cost you anything except some time online placing your order. Just check what stores are in the area you’ll be vacationing in, place your order and enjoy all the free time this will allow you!
Shop at Less Busy Times
Of course, if you shop at busy times, you will spend more time in the store. To avoid the crowds and make your shopping trip easier, try to go early in the morning or late in the evening. Another bonus of going early means you’ll most likely get the freshest baked goods and produce that they’ve just stocked.
Don’t Want to Shop at All?
CondoCierge is a local Panama City Beach business offering pre-arrival grocery shopping to help make your stay more enjoyable. They will do all of your shopping and stock your rental so you’re ready for the ultimate vacation as soon as you arrive. Be sure to check out their website, call or email them and talk to them about any and all of your concierge needs.
Want to learn more about the latest trend for delicious dining and convenience? Be sure to check out our blog post: at HomeChef – The Latest Vacation Rental Trend for Delicious Dining and Convenience. There’s a recipe for their Cajun-Style Shrimp tacos that you won’t want to miss!
Home Chef is the latest rental trend for delicious food and they deliver right to your door. They offer fast and easy cooking, premium fresh ingredients that are locally sourced, budget friendly dining, and it’s tailored for all tastes and dietary needs, all while offering a true culinary adventure. Inside each box you’ll receive recipe cards for each recipe, the protein in a separate bag at the bottom, a labeled bag for each meal kit containing all of the ingredients on top, and ice packs to keep everything cold. Everything you need right at your fingertips to create a true culinary experience and budget-friendly dining with meals starting at $8.99 per serving!
Additionally, HomeChef shares their recipes so you can cook these tasty meals whenever you crave them, whether to remember your trip or treat your loved ones. They make it simple with clear instructions and all the ingredients you need, making it easy to recreate those vacation flavors wherever you are.
To get you started, we’re giving you a $35 credit toward your first order when you use our link! That’s a definite cost savings!
At Premium Beach Condos, we love making your vacation experience simple, carefree and stress free! Just starting to plan your vacation, be sure to check us out and you’ll see what we mean!