As a modern mom, chances are you’re unbelievably busy—juggling household tasks, kids and spouse, a career, and maybe even taking care of your aging parents. Ergo (not the baby carrier)……you probably don’t have time to blow two hours at the grocery store. Read on for some shortcuts to optimize your shopping experience.

1. Don’t skip the prep. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s surprising how many women (or men) go to the market without a game plan. When creating your list, group all of the frozen foods together, all of the non-perishables together, and so on, so you can navigate the store more efficiently.

2. Dominate the deli counter. Believe it or not, this is the true bottleneck of grocery shopping. Most wasted time in a store is frittered away jostling for cold cuts. After placing your order, instead of waiting for the high school kid behind the counter to fumble around with the various meats and cheeses, go finish your shopping and then return to pick up your order. Voila—ten minutes saved!

3. Buy in bulk. Stock up on quantities that will last. Buying a larger amount of toilet paper, two packages of cheese, and several sale items will not only save you money, but it will simplify your next supermarket trip. Try to limit yourself to one big, major shopping trip per month. The other two to three stops can be quick and efficient. You will save critical minutes in the long run.

Now that you’re armed with some secrets to savvy shopping, you can tackle your next grocery trip without anxiety. With your list prepped and a game plan in place, it will be a painless and productive experience.