If you are doing some discount/bargain shopping at places like the Dollar Store, Grocery Outlet, etc., do it first thing in the morning. Most of the people who shop at those places don't roll out of bed until 10-11:00 or so. You'll practically have the whole store to yourself and won't have to wait in any long lines.
By the same token, pick up your prescriptions late in the afternoon. Damn old people jam those places up before they even open.