Every month, we spend 20-30% of our earnings on food. Since there is no way to refuse to buy products at all, there are still several ways that can help you shop smarter and leave less money in supermarkets and grocery stores. Read these seven useful tips and save on your grocery shopping.
Turn off your smartphone
Grocery shopping is not a very interesting activity. Therefore, some people check for new messages or hang out on social networks while doing shopping. If you do like this, then you risk buying more than planned. Then, it turns out that besides some necessary goods, you have purchased chips, chocolates, cookies, etc. It is because social media, audiobooks, and podcasts distract your attention from doing shopping in the store. The longer you walk between the aisles, the more you buy.
Be careful about discounted items
When we notice attractive bright red-yellow price tags, then at some moment, we stop thinking consciously. Therefore, before grabbing discounted products off the shelves, check the expiration date and think carefully if you need these 10 packs of sweets from an unknown company. Indeed, the stores cut the price very often, because in a couple of days the products will deteriorate or simply because nobody buys them.
However, if you want to take advantage of profitable offers, we recommend reading the supermarket’s leaflets or the so-called circulars. For example, if you go shopping in Safeway, check out the Safeway circular and carefully study the current promotions. In this way, you will be able to buy only those discounted products that are on your shopping list.
Don’t fall into the trap of marketers
Supermarkets are designed in such a way that you leave as much money as possible there. Big teams of people have been working on this for years. And they have learned to use all our weaknesses to stimulate us. If you go to the store, remember at least the basic tricks of marketers:
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Besides, the best Walmart Deals on Black Friday will help you to buy goods from your list of high quality at a discount. So, consider this opportunity as well.
Count in your mind
While you are adding items to your shopping cart, calculate their cost, so you know exactly how much you will pay at the checkout. It will keep you in good shape and prevent you from buying too much. You will be interested to know that our brain has a map for numbers. Take your time to learn some useful techniques for how to count fast.
Avoid packaged goods
It is much easier to buy already packed tomatoes than to put them in a bag and weigh them yourself. However, the cost of packaged tomatoes is usually higher, which means you will spend a little more on unnecessary service. The same applies to sliced cheese or sausages.
Do not take children with you
If possible, leave your kids at home. Even adults cannot always resist the temptation to grab a chocolate bar in bright packaging from the shelf. Meanwhile, kids have more temptations in supermarkets than adults. Resisting children’s pleas and tears can be very difficult, especially when there is a line behind you. So, try to go shopping without kids or decide in advance what and how much you can buy.
Make a menu for the week
It will take time and effort from you, but when you come to the grocery store, it will secure you from unnecessary purchases. If you know exactly what you are going to cook, then you can easily make an accurate list of all the products that you need. It means that you will not buy too much.
Finally, some supermarkets have pick-up or delivery services: you can select products through the website or app and then pick them up at the nearest store or wait until they bring it to your home. With this approach, you will have more time to think about your purchases, compare prices, and look for discounts. Besides, you can cancel it if you realize that you have ordered too much. Good luck!
WRITTEN BY
Brand Voices