We recently ran a story about the the number of men that do the household grocery shopping is on the rise. According to the UC Cooperative Extension, the number of men in a household regularly shopping more than the women in the same household is greater than 50%. The article also stated that over 65% enjoy doing the shopping.

I actually fall into the both categories. I took on the job quite a while ago. Because I was commuting,  my wife took on most of the family chores and primary responsibility for our children. So taking care of the grocery shopping was the least I could do.

As a result- I developed a number of strategies to make the experience simpler and as painless as possible.  I quickly realized that shopping at the same store each week was easier than trying to bounce around to the best deals. Of course, if you need  to avoid doing other things at home, then spending the time bargain shopping is the way to go…

Secondly, by shopping at the same store, I was able to develop a master list by aisle.  At home, then all someone did was circle the item that was needed and I knew where I could find it in the store.

The third strategy is cart loading… this one drives my wife nuts when she happens to be in the store with me. I view the cart as a giant puzzle and design loading strategies based on product size, shape, weight, and temperature. My wife simply grabs items and randomly places them in the cart wasting valuable space.

Once I mastered one market, I began to explore other markets. No two markets are laid out the same. I also discovered in one local grocery store can you buy milk, motor oil, and fishing line in the same aisle.

Shopping has become an important ritual. One that can be successfully completed by me.  Therefore I must proclaim, My name is Paul…and I like to grocery shop.