Grocery Store Mistakes That Are Costing You Time And Money

Avg. $ Lost: $5.00+*
Do Instead: Avoid end caps

Another way grocery store layouts play on our psychology is with the end caps, the little sections at the end of every aisle that you pass when turning the corner into the next one. These areas are perfect for strategically placing great deals to catch our attention, and putting them next to bad deals to trick us. 

Falling For End Cap Deals ©LightField Studios / Shutterstock.com

It’s best to avoid these sections entirely, using some healthy skepticism to realize that they’re putting those items there for a reason, and it probably isn’t just to help you find savings. While sometimes it’s okay to splurge on seasonal items, a better bet is tracking down what you need in the aisles.

Avg. $ Lost: $20.00+ per visit*
Do Instead: Sign up for a rewards card

While it might be annoying to be asked to sign up for a rewards card every time you shop anywhere these days, the grocery store you most frequent is the perfect place to take the plunge. Unless you shop at multiple stores for your weekly groceries, signing up for the rewards program is a no-brainer.

Not Signing Up For Rewards Programs ©Andy.LIU / Shutterstock.com

Not only do you rack up points which can become huge savings down the line, but you also can save big on grocery items as they often have in-store sales that are exclusive to members. In addition, you have access to coupons which will also give you big discounts towards your bill. 

Avg. $ Lost: $15.00+*
Do Instead: Buy only from your list

Grocery stores are literally designed to encourage as many impulse buys as possible, from end cap deals to checkout counter candy and magazines, so even entering the store can feel like a battle of self-control. This is why the number one cause of a bloated grocery bill is purchases of things you want but don’t need. 

Impulse Buying ©Maria Savenko / Shutterstock.com

The main ways to combat this are eating before you shop so your stomach won’t get in the way of your better judgment, always coming armed with a detailed list, and practicing pretending you have blinders on so you won’t linger by the Hershey’s chocolate.

Avg. $ Lost: $8.00+*
Do Instead: Use multiple coupons

While many of us do-gooders figure that coupons can only be used one at a time, so much so that we even sometimes break up our shopping into multiple trips just to use them all, this is simply not the case. At most big grocery chains coupons can be stacked sky-high. 

Not Stacking Coupons ©Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com

Simply think about the Bed Bath & Beyond rule, where seemingly infinite coupons can be used together, and you’ll see your savings soar. If you’re extra daring, you can even try to convince them to take expired coupons, though we don’t endorse that route. 

Avg. $ Lost: $20.00+*
Do Instead: Shop less frequently

While it might seem counterintuitive to buy more items and shop less frequently, versus having a smaller bill every week, it can actually be helpful to buy in two-week increments. One benefit of shopping this way is that it cuts down on impulse purchases, since you can only impulse buy once, not twice. 

Shopping Every Week ©wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock.com

Another benefit is that you can make use of bulk deals. Grocery stores often run 4-for-$10 type deals that only really pay off if you need more than two of something, which in most instances you don’t. That way, instead of paying more for things you don’t end up using, you can actually make the most of deals and incorporate those items into meal prep.

Avg. $ Lost: $20.00*
Do Instead: Eat a snack before shopping

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is going grocery shopping on an empty stomach. No matter how aware of it you are, and how many times you tell yourself not to make impulse buys because you’re hungry, it’s near impossible to avoid. 

Shopping Hungry ©Dean Drobot / Shutterstock.com

Instead of ending up with a huge cart full of things you don’t need, eat a quick protein-rich snack before your trip, like a handful of almonds or a greek yogurt. Wait twenty minutes to give your stomach time to realize that it’s full, and then go shopping. The savings will add up!

Avg. $ Lost: N/A
Do Instead: Choose the left-most lane or unlucky number 13

This tip could come straight out of a psych textbook. The way grocery stores are laid out has a lot to do with human psychology, and the checkout line system is no different. People tend to gravitate toward the right-most lanes and avoid numbers with superstitions attached to them. 

© Akhenaton Images/Shutterstock.com

To save time on your trip, it’s best to fight the impulse to pick the lanes to the right and instead opt for the slightly shorter lines at the left of the store. Or, if you’re shopping at a big chain like Walmart that has multiple aisles, you can pick unlucky number 13. 

Avg. $ Lost: $1.00 per item*
Do Instead: Buy in season

Not only is it healthier for your body to eat produce when it’s in season, but it’s healthier for your wallet too. You’ll find that when local produce is in season, the store will get a huge shipment, driving prices lower than the exotic fruits and veggies that need to be shipped in from afar.

Not Buying In-Season Produce ©Extarz / Shutterstock.com

In addition, shopping local has the added benefit of helping out local farmers, supporting their small businesses. After all, smaller American farms are hurting with the reliance on globally-shipped produce, so it’s a real win-win to buy fresh seasonal produce, as it tends to taste better too. 

Avg. $ Lost: $5.00*
Do Instead: Keep a price notebook

While most of us trust that if we’re buying the same things every week that the prices will stay relatively the same, especially with shelf-stable goods, this is not always the case. Prices can fluctuate by as much as a couple of dollars per item from one week to the next, so it helps to keep track of prices.

Not Paying Attention To Price Fluctuations ©Minerva Studio / Shutterstock.com

By keeping a notebook and carefully tracking the price of each item you buy each week, you are better prepared to differentiate if there’s actually a deal going on or if prices are skyrocketing. While it might seem rather tedious, it could save you big bucks in the long run.

Avg. $ Lost: $5.00-10.00*
Do Instead: Shop in the late afternoon

If you’re looking for perishable items on your grocery trip, the time of day you go shopping might have a big impact on what you end up paying for the same groceries. This is because at the end of the day some items like meats, cheeses, and other dairy products will go on sale.

Shopping At The Wrong Times ©Dragon Images / Shutterstock.com

Grocery stores do this because otherwise, they’d need to throw out the items the next day, so it behooves you to shop later in the afternoon, closer to their closing time. Of course, always check the expiration dates on your groceries to make sure you’re getting a deal, not getting scammed. 

Avg. $ Lost: $2.00/lb.*
Do Instead: Buy frozen fish

While you might think you’re doing you and your family’s health a favor by purchasing fresh fish at the grocery store, you might be doing little more than hurting your wallet. While fresh fish is great for a meal you’re going to cook immediately, as it doesn’t need to thaw, frozen is actually just as good. 

Buying Fresh Fish Instead Of Frozen ©Aleksandar Malivuk / Shutterstock.com

Most “fresh” fish you see at the grocery store has been frozen anyway, in order to meet health and safety standards and be properly transported to the store from the body of water whence it came. So buying it just because it seems fresher is a complete illusion–it’s actually no fresher than the frozen filets in the next case over. 

Avg. $ Lost: $15.00*
Do Instead: Buy frozen

While frozen fruits and vegetables might not seem as appealing as the fresh ones in the produce section, glistening under the spray of the misters, buying frozen could save you big bucks off your grocery bill in the end. Frozen foods also tend to have the same nutritional value as their fresh counterparts, despite how they may look after thawing. 

Only Buying Fresh Produce ©bodnar.photo / Shutterstock.com

This is because frozen fruits and vegetables are frozen directly at the source and then packaged and shipped out to grocery stores. Meanwhile, your “fresh” veggies go through a long process of being transported and stores in warehouses before reaching the grocery store shelves, meaning their nutritional value has decreased perhaps more than the frozen foods. 

Avg. $ Lost: $15.00+*
Do Instead: Leave the kids at home

Grocery shopping with the kids is difficult at best, and a downright disaster at worst. Not only do you have to watch them, but you also have to deal with them trying to get you to purchase things they want. Whether it’s a teenager asking for a pricy name-brand sugary cereal or a toddler grabbing things off shelves, you’re better off leaving them at home. 

Bringing The Kids Along ©BLACKDAY / Shutterstock.com

Furthermore, with little government regulation, kids are constantly being bombarded with ads for candy and snacks with cute little cartoon mascots designed to catch their eye. This leads them to beg for the snacks they’ve seen ads for on television, which can jack up the price of your shopping trip in an instant. 

Avg. $ Lost: $20.00+*
Do Instead: Choose a smaller cart or basket

While sometimes you need the biggest cart available, such as if you’re shopping for a family of four or more. Other times, however, you’re better off going with a basket or one of the smaller cart options available. 

Choosing The Biggest Cart ©Aleksandar Malivuk / Shutterstock.com

Especially if you’re just running in mid-week to grab a thing or two that you may have missed, choosing the big cart is always a mistake. Having more space allows you to subconsciously rationalize more impulse purchases, which will result in a bigger bill than you expected.