Today we’ll be sharing some money-saving tips that center on making small changes to the way you shop. By correcting these mistakes, you’ll start saving money every time you shop, regardless of which store you prefer
1. You Don’t Look Down
A lot of people just grab whatever option happens to be at eye level, but that might mean you’re missing out on less expensive options on the lower shelves! Many stores purposely place less expensive items below eye level, so take a few extra seconds to check those lower shelves.
2. You Make Several Small Trips
Frequent trips to the store to buy just a few items can actually cost more in the long run, and not just because you’re using more gasoline to get there. Shopping with an abstract goal in mind (like “get food for the next few days,” for instance) often results in unplanned spending, so making fewer, more goal-oriented trips to the store can help you stick to your budget.
3. You Always Buy The Biggest Size
It’s important to know that the largest size isn’t always going to be cheaper! It all depends on the “unit price,” so it’s important to look for it on price tags and compare them closely.
Once in a while, you’ll notice that the smaller item is actually cheaper than the bulk option! Some stores do this on items like cereal and french fries anticipating that shoppers will reach for the larger size by default.
4. You Only Look In One Place
You can find certain items in multiple locations throughout the store, and the prices may vary between locations. For instance, you can often find cheese in up to four different sections, such as a section for specialty cheeses, alongside the salad toppings, shredded or block cheeses at the deli, and cheese sticks by the lunch meats.
5. You Always Choose Convenience
Stores like to display certain items together to make things convenient, but they aren’t always the most cost-effective options. For instance, there’s often a small selection of nuts and candies located in or near the ice cream aisle, but you can find a much larger selection in the baking aisle (along with a more favorable range of prices!)
6. You Don’t Check The Salad Bar
If you need a specialty food item that you don’t normally use, check the salad bar. You can often find items like olives, artichoke hearts, bacon bits, and other ingredients there, and you can save money by only getting as much as you need.
If your store doesn’t have an extensive salad bar, check near the produce or deli department for their “made fresh daily” offerings.
7. You Shop Early In The Day
If you shop first thing in the morning, you may be missing out on markdowns that may appear later in the day. Check the end caps of the aisles for special prices, along with the meat department and bakery.
8. You Don’t Double Check Receipts
Incorrect changes happen all the time, so it’s always a good idea to check your receipt! Common errors include multiple scans, sale prices not being reflected, and coupons not being applied.
Take the time to double-check that everything looks right on your receipt before you leave the store parking lot.
9. You Forget Your Bags
Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags, because most stores now either charge a few cents for each bag you use, or they offer a small discount for bringing your own. That money can add up over time, so it’s worth the extra little bit of effort!
10. You Shop For A Recipe
When you shop for a specific recipe, chances are pretty low that those ingredients will happen to be on sale. A better way to save it to check the store website or circular to find out what’s on sale, then plan your meals around the best deals available.
If you have any tips for saving money on groceries that aren’t mentioned here, feel free to share them with us in a comment at the bottom of this post so that everyone can benefit from your wisdom!