Shop Smarter With These 7 Grocery Shopping Tips
Grocery shopping may seem like a chore, but there are plenty of ways to get the most out of each trip. Rather than wandering aimlessly down the aisles with no purpose, go in with a well-crafted plan. Being smart when it comes to grocery shopping has its benefits – your wallet (and your stomach) will thank you! Here are some ways to shop smarter, healthier, and more frugal at the grocery store:
- Take inventory
Part of being an efficient grocery shopper means knowing exactly what groceries you need. Before you go grocery shopping, make sure you do an inventory check. A great way to do this is to clean out your refrigerator and pantry before you go grocery shopping. This will prevent you from buying doubles of things you already have back home.
- Bring a list
Now that you’ve taken inventory and done some organizing, you know exactly what you need. But don’t rely on memory… write it down! Having a grocery list will help you shop more efficiently, stay focused, and help you determine what it is that you really need. Without a grocery list, you may end up filling your cart with things you don’t really need.
- Shop on busier days
It sounds counter-intuitive, but going grocery shopping when you don’t have as much time to shop can actually save you from loading up your cart with sweets and other expensive items. Grocery stores use music, smells, and other tactics to draw in shoppers and make them stay longer. Often, this means buying more things they don’t need. By shopping when you’re strapped for time, you’ll save money, and only leave with the essentials.
- Compare for the best deals
Shopping smarter isn’t always about reaching for the product with the lowest price. You should also be paying attention to the unit price, number of units, and size and type of packaging used. All of these things can be manipulated to make it seem to the consumer that it’s a better deal, even if it’s not. Don’t be fooled by deceptive advertising—read the package and find out how much product you’re really getting for the price!
- Shop with cash
If you find it difficult to shop on a budget, have no fear: there’s an easy way to overcome this. Before going to the store, set aside an amount in cash. Now, you’re only allowed to spend this much on groceries for the week. It’s easy to overspend using a card, but using cash will help you stay on track, get the essentials, and look out for deals.
- Buy store brands
There is no need to purchase the big-name brands if you can save money and purchase the store brands. Many people underestimate generic brands; however, these brands are usually just as good.
- Never shop hungry
It’s an age-old trick, but that’s because it actually works! You might find that going hunting for food while you’re starving leaves you with a cart full of sweets and empty calories. It’s a good idea to have a snack or eat a meal before you shop for food, so that you’re not tempted to load up on things you don’t necessarily need.
If done right, it is possible to stay within your budget when grocery shopping. Simple grocery shopping tips, such as buying store brands, comparing unit prices, and never shopping hungry, will come in handy the next time you are doing your grocery shopping!