Grocery stores are not my friends. I approach a trip to my local grocery store like I’m on a super spy mission, complete with pre-planning, checklists and utter fear of what is usually my fate — spending hours, hundreds of dollars and walking out with condiments and condiments only.

Luckily, I have the solution. I went shopping with my sister who is the queen, self proclaimed at first, but then after shopping with her you too will bow down to her greatness, speed, skill and finesse at all things grocery shopping.

My sister walks in like she owns the place. She is smiling and I think even humming a bit. She is carefree and unconcerned about the germs on the cart. I grab for the free wipes they place out, she acts like she doesn’t even notice them.

My sister continues on — bypassing entire aisles. What is that? I’ve never passed an aisle in my life. She continues tossing things in the cart and at one point even answers her phone and has a lighthearted conversation while tossing in even more food. Is she even thinking? Paying attention?

At the checkout, the cashier announces that it will be $58.09. I immediately roll my eyes. “Gosh” I say to my sister. “That’s not even close to what I spend each week, surely this isn’t enough food for me and my two kids. We need to go back.”

“No we do not,” she says, and we don’t. We take our bags and head home. While unpacking she starts her little lecture. And here it is:

“So, little sister, you will notice that we have chicken, steak, fish, pasta, soups, breads and vegetables as well as deserts, snacks and lunch items for the kids. You have enough food here to make breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts for two to three weeks.”

Two to three weeks? Has she lost her mind? My kids eat food. What do they do eat at her house?

You know what, she’s right. When all is said and done — minus a few burned meals here and there — I was able to make three square meals a day, with snacks, packed lunches and desserts for my family for two and a half weeks. We ran back to the store for additional milk midway through the experiment, but it was a roaring success.

What are the secrets?

Deals equal Menu: Take a moment to look at the stores deals circular and make your weekly meal plan based on what’s for sale, not on what you’re in the mood for that day. The deals are good and some stores offer two for one. If so, plan meals around needing extra. Maybe even cook and freeze for later in the week.

One becomes two: Steak for dinner becomes steak fajitas the next night. Every main meal must equal two. That’s the rule. Just like eggs are used for breakfast and baking, other food items need to be used for multiple meals. A French bread loaf is great for dinner, but also for cheese fondue the next day when the pieces are getting harder.

Stay focused: Know what each meal needs and then buy that and only that. Stay away from impulse purchases where you say to yourself “oh, this will be fun to have tonight.” No, if it wasn’t on your list, pretend it doesn’t exist.