6 Ways to Stop Wasting Money at the Supermarket for Good

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Tired of overspending on groceries? Read on to see how you can break that cycle. 

I’ve always considered myself a money-conscious person. From a young age, I made a point to prioritize building my savings account balance, and I always try to do what I can to cut costs.

Last year, for example, my husband and I negotiated our cable TV package to reduce what we were spending on it. And we’ve made other such moves to help our finances through the years.

But if there’s one area we’ve always struggled with, it’s food. We don’t like to deny our kids the food they love, and it’s important to us to stock our fridge with a variety of healthy choices, like fruits and veggies. So not shockingly, groceries are a big component of our monthly credit card bills.

Now I know firsthand that spending less on groceries isn’t easy — especially at a time when they’re still up 1.7% from a year ago, according to the Consumer Price Index. But if I’m being honest, in the past, poor habits of mine have caused my grocery bills to climb more than necessary. So I’ve taken steps to change my approach to food shopping, and it’s definitely helped. If you want to stop spending money needlessly at the supermarket, too, here are some tips to follow.

1. Always have a list

In the past, I would wander into my local supermarket, browse the aisles, grab items I thought I needed, and repeat. That method didn’t work well, though, because I often wound up buying things I didn’t need. And I frequently came home without a key ingredient or component of a meal I wanted to prepare.

Nowadays, I shop with a list, and I suggest you do the same. A list can help you stay focused and potentially make it less likely that you’ll buy additional items on a whim.

2. Stay out of aisles you don’t need

Once you get into the habit of shopping with a grocery list, take things one step further and don’t enter aisles if they don’t contain a list item of yours. One big trap I used to fall into was making a list, but also scoping out the candy and ice cream sections of the supermarket just in case there was something tempting (spoiler alert — there always was).

If ice cream isn’t on your list, just stay out of that aisle, period. Otherwise, there’s a good chance you’re going to bring home a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough, or whatever your go-to flavor happens to be.

3. Only buy bulk items you consume every week

I’m a big fan of buying groceries in bulk. In fact, I usually go to Costco once a week to stock up on bulk produce, cheese, and other staples.

But if you’re going to buy in bulk, follow this key rule: Only purchase bulk items your family eats weekly. If you buy items in bulk that you don’t consume on a regular basis, there’s a greater chance of them going bad. And this doesn’t just apply to fresh food. Items like crackers and cereal can go stale pretty easily.

4. Shop without your kids if possible

As a parent, I understand that it’s not always feasible to hit the supermarket without a child in tow. But if you’re able to shop solo, do it.

When you bring your kids to the grocery store, there’s a good chance they’re going to beg for various items that look appealing. And there’s also a good chance you’re going to give into them to make your shopping experience go more smoothly. I know, because I pretty much always let my kids pick out at least one item at the store — which is why I try to shop without them whenever possible.

5. Don’t shop when you’re hungry

A grumbling tummy can make it so you’re more likely to buy extra items at the supermarket you don’t really need. You can’t always time your shopping trips to coincide with when you’ve finished a meal. But one easy trick I employ is carrying a granola or protein bar with me at all times so that if I get hungry, there’s an easy fix.

Incidentally, this is a practice I employ in general — not just for grocery store runs. But I find that if I can quell my appetite in the midst of a grocery shopping trip, I’m likely to spend less.

6. Buy generic products when taste won’t be an issue

Because I have picky eater kids, I tend to try to buy the brands I know they approve of when it comes to things like snack bars, yogurt, and cereal. I’m well aware that bringing home an unknown or store brand could mean having those items rejected.

However, when it comes to products that tend to take on the taste of the sauce you put on them, like pasta, I’m a firm believer in buying the generic or store brand, as it can often result in a much lower price point. Chances are, your kids won’t be any the wiser if their macaroni came without a fancy label on the box as long as it’s smothered in cheese, just the way they like it.

It’s hard to keep grocery spending in check — there’s no question about it. But if you follow these tips, you may find that you’re able to eke out some savings, even at a time when food costs remain elevated.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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