shopping for savings

Posted on 18. Jan, 2010 by dara in penny pinchin'

One thing that I’m super guilty of is buying too many items at the grocery store. I go with the mindset of buying enough groceries to last a week, and leave with entirely too much. The items end up expiring or just sit in the pantry, which is a total waste of money.

Here are some ways that I’ve thought of to curb this habit and stop overspending on items at the grocery store:

Never go to the grocery store hungry (I think we all know this one, but I figured better safe than sorry) - you always throw extra items and buy more if you’re hungry.

Make a list of items you want to buy before you go to the store. One leniency rule is that I allow myself to buy one item that’s not on my list. - making a list of items helps you stay focus and keeps you from buying items that you randomly see.

Think about your personal eating patterns. - Do you eat breakfast? What are your eating habits like on the weekends? What activities do you have planned during the week that may alter your eating schedule? Asking yourself these types of questions may help you plan (see next rule) for what and how much to buy.

Plan every meal and snack. - Thinking about the activities you have planned for the upcoming week and where you may be will help give you a better idea of what kind of meals and snacks to prepare. Maybe you’re going to leave work and go straight to the gym, so a prepackaged snack would be best because they’re convenient.

Look at the store circular beforehand. - Most stores have their store circulars with their weekly sales online. Some stores will even send them directly to your inbox when the sale starts. Take time to review the circular and plan your meals and your grocery list.

It’s definitely not easy and will take time, but I think implementing these suggestions into your grocery shopping experience will help save money that may otherwise be wasted. What are some other suggestions or tips that you use for grocery store shopping?