
Avoid the Crowds
If you were hoping for a specific time that's best for shopping, Maria Brous, director of communications at the supermarket chain Publix, is going to disappoint you. "There's no universal best time to shop," she says. (Bummer, right?) A spokesperson for Target notes that traffic patterns even vary by store.
That said, weekends tend to be supermarkets' busiest days, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are usually the slowest, says Mario Torres, store team leader at a Whole Foods Market in St. Petersburg, Florida. "That's why many retailers change their sales midweek." He adds that midmorningaround 10 a.m.-is often when stores are the least crowded.
You can also google your store for a data-backed view of the slowest times. Additionally, it can be helpful to think about the store's neighborhood and who's shopping there. "First thing in the morning can be super busy for stores located near retirees or families with grade-school students," Brous says. At other locations, you may see a rush during lunch, before dinner, or even an hour before closing time. Once you've put yourself in your neighbors' shoes, you can try to avoid those busy periods. Or bypass the aisles completely by ordering for curbside pickup.
Spot New Products
Denne historien er fra September 2024-utgaven av Real Simple.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 2024-utgaven av Real Simple.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på

Cool-Weather Cruises
If you can't take the heat...you can still have boatloads of fun on the open seas! Just board a ship headed to one of these chill spots.

IS IT OK TO RECLINE YOUR SEAT ON AN AIRPLANE?
Everyone's got thoughts! We collected yours, then called on the experts to settle the debate once and for all.

THINGS COOKS KNOW CHOCOLATE 101
A short and sweet lesson on one of our favorite baking ingredients

Fun Friendcations
No matter who's in the group, these destinations have a little something for everyone.

Best of the Rest
Sleep is a serious business, which is why we made it our business to very seriously test the latest and greatest sleep gear. We laid our heads on pillows cushy and firm. We buried ourselves under blankets weighted and not. We dozed on sheets soft and silky and crisp. These are our favorite finds.

SWEET & SPICY CAULIFLOWER "MEATBALLS"
Everyone's a winner when these are part of the spread!

Modern Manners Advice for Your Social Dilemmas
My friend often reaches out with texts like \"Hey! Are you free on Saturday?\" The issue: I don't know whether she's asking if I'm free to hang out with her or if I'm free to dog-sit or babysit. And it's often the latter. How do I respond in a way that gives me the option to hang out but maybe not dog-sit?

Brooke Shields has some things to say about aging
At 59 years old, Brooke is bringing it, with a sharp, funny memoir on getting older, a successful hair care line for midlife women, and refreshing thoughts on the pressure we feel to stay young forever.

3 COMMON TAX MISTAKES & HOW TO AVOID THEM
They totally happen. Yep, even if you're using an easy-to-follow software that holds your hand through the process.

DINOSAURS
They're not just for kids! If you aren't already a dino fanatic, you're about to become one.