If rising grocery prices are changing how you shop, you’re not alone. With everyone feeling the pinch, there are a few little habits that experts say can actually increase your grocery bill. Avoid these mistakes and you may see a big savings at the checkout line.
- 1. Going in without a plan. Sitting down and making a plan, plus writing out the corresponding grocery list, allows you to choose meals with overlapping ingredients so the list is shorter and to make sure you’re not shopping for an ingredient you already have in the back of the pantry.
- 2. Shopping when you're stressed, tired or hungry. When you’re the victim of one or all of these factors, you’re less able to manage impulse control, which can lead to overspending on things you don’t need and will regret later.
- 3. Making impulse buys. Most of us know the feeling of making a list and ending up at the register with a cart full of goodies that we probably don’t need and definitely increased the bill. There are two options the experts recommend: (1) sending someone else — obviously with good impulse control — to do the grocery shopping, or (2) putting in an online order for pickup.
- 4. Buying pre-cut or pre-made items. We love convenience, but convenience will cost you money at the grocery store, where pre-chopped, pre-cooked or even pre-portioned items will increase your grocery spend.
- 5. Making daily grocery store stops. The more times you enter a grocery store during the week, the more money you're going to spend. If you can limit your grocery shopping to just once a week, you’re less likely to spend money on extras while you’re shopping. Make a list, have a meal plan, and you can get everything you need for the entire week in one shop. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also save time and energy too.
- 6. Skipping a pantry sweep before you shop. Have you ever gone to the grocery store to buy a pantry staple like flour or vinegar, only to get home and realize you had some stashed in the back of the pantry? It’s one of the biggest money wasters when it comes to grocery shopping. Check your pantry for hidden staples such as rice, pasta, flour, etc. A quick inventory could save you big bucks.
- 7. Ignoring grocery store sales when planning. You’ve checked your pantry, come up with an outline of meal plans, and put together a list. What you probably forgot to do is check the grocery store sales flyer. Whether it comes in the mail or you go online to the store’s website, sales can work into your weekly meal plan, saving you a lot of money in the end.
- 8. Thinking small when it comes to protein. Buying in bulk differs depending on your family size, but buying meat and fish in large quantities is often a great way to cut back on spending. Buying a whole bird, like chicken or turkey, can also easily make two meals and even a delicious soup.
- 9. Opting out of loyalty programs. Beyond shopping sales, many grocers big and small offer either a loyalty card or an app with a loyalty program. Not only will you save money on groceries, many stores offer a discount at the gas pump as well.
- 10. Leaving behind leftovers. Before you make your next trip to the grocery store, be sure to plan carefully, avoid over-shopping and eat your leftovers. Many people wait too long to eat leftovers and wind up tossing them, never thinking about how much food they're wasting. Think about how much money you could save every month if you ate all the food you paid for.
