- The trick to doing anything successfully is to make informed decisions. In other words, set goals, gather information, analyze alternatives in relation achieving the goals, and choose between options.
Overall, it is scary how most people make choices without getting the facts first. We may put extensive time and research into picking the best car to buy or buying other big-ticket items (although we may not) but day-to-day decision making is too frequently driven by mood, impulse, hearsay, and limited time.
Grocery shopping is just another activity where many uninformed decisions are made, and those may cost us a lot of money and affect our long-term health.
The problem with making informed decisions is the “becoming informed” part. Even with all the wisdom of the internet at our fingertips, it still takes time and effort to learn enough about whatever it is we need to know. In fact, there is so much out there it is hard to know who to believe. The up side is that once you’ve made the basic decisions, you don’t have to make them over and over, at least until something changes.
I have been grocery shopping for many years, as have most of you, and I’ve learned some lessons the hard ways. I also researched this subject. Hopefully these tips can help.
PLAN AHEAD
There are three components to consider when planning your grocery shopping strategy: Cost, Time, and Quality. Most choices are based on these, and there are always compromises.
● What are your shopping goals?
Think about it. Knowing what you are trying achieve helps you plan. Most of the time it is about eating healthy and saving money, but not always. Ask yourself what you want to achieve.
• Take less time? • Be convenient?
• Save money? • Eat well?
• Eat healthy? • Save gasoline?
• Recyclability? • Reduce waste?
● Think about where you grocery shop; consider alternatives
You can often get what you need cheaper by switching stores or going to several different retailers.
• Do you know which stores and online retailers have the best prices?
• Are you open to making multiple stops when grocery shopping?
• Do you plan a route? [Try to buy perishables and frozen foods at the last place you shop.]
• Are you open to buying from online retailers?
According to AARP. since the pandemic, food prices are up 25 percent. A recent nationwide study showed that shopping at Aldi was marginally cheaper than Walmart ($1.52), and Target came in third. www.aarp.org/cheapest-groceries
● Think about the way you cook
• What kind of foods do you buy?
• Do you appreciate less expensive foods? Food doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive to
be good and healthy.
• Do you cook large portions and use your leftovers?
• Are you willing to substitute recipe ingredients when you have something suitable handy?
• Know you don’t need to buy everything organic
• Prewashed, chopped and cut fruits and veggies cost you more
• Take a serious look at the beverages you buy. They really run up the bill.
● Plan meals for the week in advance of shopping
● Make a list and stick to it
“Grocery stores are expertly designed to boost spending,” says Melissa Cid, a consumer savings writer with MySavings.com. “You're stepping into a meticulously crafted system built to extract as much money from you as possible.” www.aarp.org/cheapest-groceries
◄ Image Credit: Shutterstock.com
Image Source: www.moneysmartguides.com
Because grocery stores make a lot of money off impulse purchases, they use tricks to make you buy extra items you didn’t need with tactics like placing essentials like milk and eggs at the back of the store, forcing you to walk past a lot of other products.
● Prepare a customized grocery list for yourself
This can save time and effort, and help prevent forgetting things. Organize the items you buy regularly by the stores where these are the best buys. Put the brand name and other key details on your shopping list so you get exactly what you want every time.
“Grocery stores are expertly designed to boost spending,” says Melissa Cid, a consumer savings writer with MySavings.com. “You're stepping into a meticulously crafted system built to extract as much money from you as possible.” www.aarp.org/cheapest-groceries
◄ Image Credit: Shutterstock.com
Image Source: www.moneysmartguides.com
Because grocery stores make a lot of money off impulse purchases, they use tricks to make you buy extra items you didn’t need with tactics like placing essentials like milk and eggs at the back of the store, forcing you to walk past a lot of other products.
● Prepare a customized grocery list for yourself
This can save time and effort, and help prevent forgetting things. Organize the items you buy regularly by the stores where these are the best buys. Put the brand name and other key details on your shopping list so you get exactly what you want every time.
• Read store sale ads and coupons
Supermarkets advertise sales to attract customers; look in the local paper, on the store’s website, and often on the store’s app if they have one. But often these discounted items are strategically placed next to name brands that are expensive or marked up. Find coupons for good quality deals. Stock up on cleaning products, nutrient-rich foods, and other staples that you’ll definitely use, preferably those with longer shelf lives. ▲ Image Credit: Walmart
Image Source: www.flyersmartcanucks.ca
● Don’t go shopping when you are hungry
THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
This is where everything can go south for the winter; it is the real test of shopping savvy.
● Stick to your list and avoid impulse buying (Experts can’t say this often enough)
● Buy whole foods
● Buy in bulk when possible
Some stores have bulk bins with dry foods such as grains, beans, nuts, and seasonings, and the price is usually lower. Don’t buy in bulk anything you won’t use up during the shelf life, and be sensitive to the amount of storage space you have available.
Supermarkets advertise sales to attract customers; look in the local paper, on the store’s website, and often on the store’s app if they have one. But often these discounted items are strategically placed next to name brands that are expensive or marked up. Find coupons for good quality deals. Stock up on cleaning products, nutrient-rich foods, and other staples that you’ll definitely use, preferably those with longer shelf lives. ▲ Image Credit: Walmart
Image Source: www.flyersmartcanucks.ca
● Don’t go shopping when you are hungry
THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
This is where everything can go south for the winter; it is the real test of shopping savvy.
● Stick to your list and avoid impulse buying (Experts can’t say this often enough)
● Buy whole foods
● Buy in bulk when possible
Some stores have bulk bins with dry foods such as grains, beans, nuts, and seasonings, and the price is usually lower. Don’t buy in bulk anything you won’t use up during the shelf life, and be sensitive to the amount of storage space you have available.
● Lean to read the labels and do it regularly
By preparing a pre-printed shopping list, you can add brand names when you find the product you want and list it for whichever store has the best price. Pay attention to unit price.
Image Credit and Source: Shutterstock.com ►
By preparing a pre-printed shopping list, you can add brand names when you find the product you want and list it for whichever store has the best price. Pay attention to unit price.
Image Credit and Source: Shutterstock.com ►
● Shop for produce that’s in season
The consumer pays more for fresh produce that is “misted”, not only for the misting system itself and the water, but also water increases the weight. You pay by the pound, so shake out the water from your produce before you get to checkout.
◄ Image Source: www.producebusiness.com
● Buy cheaper cuts of meat
Look for: chuck steak, pork, top sirloin steak, whole chicken, ground meat or poultry. Large inexpensive cuts of meat can be used in several different meals during the week. Less expensive cuts of meat are great to use in casseroles, soups, stews, and burritos.
● Replace meat with other proteins
Eating less meat may be a good (and healthier) way to save money. Try using other protein sources a few times a week, such as: legumes, hemp seeds, eggs, and canned fish. Also, most of these have a longer shelf life.
● Buy Frozen Fish
Experts say there is no difference in the quality and taste, and in most cases the product has been frozen on the fishing vessel long before it gets to the store and sold as “fresh”. The reduced price tag on frozen fish is due to the increased shelf life and has nothing to do with the nutrition or quality.
● Buy generic and store brands
The generic and store brands are often made by the same manufacturer as the name brand competitors but at a lower price. You may have to hunt for them at first.
● Buy frozen fruits and vegetables
Frozen produce is usually cheaper, just as nutritious, available all year, and usually sold in large bags, so you can take out only what you are going to use.
● Stock up on sales
Don’t buy something you haven’t planned using just because it is on sale.
● Avoid buying highly processed food
Highly processed foods cost more and are high in sodium and/or sugar.
● Avoid individually packaged foods
● Make adjustments to your cart before you check out
Use your list or phone to keep a running tally of purchases. Also, look at your cart and ask yourself if there’s anything you don’t really need…or something your kids slipped in. Studies show that people who use self-checkout tend to spend less.
NOW, HERE’S THE THING!
Grocery stores, like other retailers, want you to spend lots of money, and everything about the physical environment is designed is to boost sales, from the placement of items to the size of shopping carts to the music playing overhead. aarp.org/money/supermarket-secrets
Your supermarket wants you to deviate from your list. Impulse buying means big bucks for grocery stores. They use all kinds of tricks to encourage it in store design, lighting, music, and placement of items. Essentials like milk and eggs are located at the back of the store, forcing you to walk past a lot of other products. Ordering groceries online and picking them up at the store can help cut down on impulse buys.
So how do grocery stores divert us shoppers from our lists? Let me count the ways.
● End-of-aisle sale items don’t save you much money
Andrea Woroch, a consumer savings adviser in Bakersfield, California says these end caps displays are intended to capture attention of the customer with the illusion of a good deal. They may feature a deal on a name-brand product which is not be the cheapest option for that specific type of product.
● The best deals are not at eye level
The first items a shopper sees in a grocery aisle are not the best buys. Less-expensive brands are placed either high or low. Pricey and name brands are at eye level.
● Supermarkets are not always the best place to buy non-food items
Many supermarkets don’t source non-food products like paper goods or cleaning products. The best prices are usually cheaper at big box retailers like Costco, Target, or Walmart. Sometimes online retailers can beat the best store prices. When comparing prices, remember to always look at the cost per unit and number of units, not only the total.
The consumer pays more for fresh produce that is “misted”, not only for the misting system itself and the water, but also water increases the weight. You pay by the pound, so shake out the water from your produce before you get to checkout.
◄ Image Source: www.producebusiness.com
● Buy cheaper cuts of meat
Look for: chuck steak, pork, top sirloin steak, whole chicken, ground meat or poultry. Large inexpensive cuts of meat can be used in several different meals during the week. Less expensive cuts of meat are great to use in casseroles, soups, stews, and burritos.
● Replace meat with other proteins
Eating less meat may be a good (and healthier) way to save money. Try using other protein sources a few times a week, such as: legumes, hemp seeds, eggs, and canned fish. Also, most of these have a longer shelf life.
● Buy Frozen Fish
Experts say there is no difference in the quality and taste, and in most cases the product has been frozen on the fishing vessel long before it gets to the store and sold as “fresh”. The reduced price tag on frozen fish is due to the increased shelf life and has nothing to do with the nutrition or quality.
● Buy generic and store brands
The generic and store brands are often made by the same manufacturer as the name brand competitors but at a lower price. You may have to hunt for them at first.
● Buy frozen fruits and vegetables
Frozen produce is usually cheaper, just as nutritious, available all year, and usually sold in large bags, so you can take out only what you are going to use.
● Stock up on sales
Don’t buy something you haven’t planned using just because it is on sale.
● Avoid buying highly processed food
Highly processed foods cost more and are high in sodium and/or sugar.
● Avoid individually packaged foods
● Make adjustments to your cart before you check out
Use your list or phone to keep a running tally of purchases. Also, look at your cart and ask yourself if there’s anything you don’t really need…or something your kids slipped in. Studies show that people who use self-checkout tend to spend less.
NOW, HERE’S THE THING!
Grocery stores, like other retailers, want you to spend lots of money, and everything about the physical environment is designed is to boost sales, from the placement of items to the size of shopping carts to the music playing overhead. aarp.org/money/supermarket-secrets
Your supermarket wants you to deviate from your list. Impulse buying means big bucks for grocery stores. They use all kinds of tricks to encourage it in store design, lighting, music, and placement of items. Essentials like milk and eggs are located at the back of the store, forcing you to walk past a lot of other products. Ordering groceries online and picking them up at the store can help cut down on impulse buys.
So how do grocery stores divert us shoppers from our lists? Let me count the ways.
● End-of-aisle sale items don’t save you much money
Andrea Woroch, a consumer savings adviser in Bakersfield, California says these end caps displays are intended to capture attention of the customer with the illusion of a good deal. They may feature a deal on a name-brand product which is not be the cheapest option for that specific type of product.
● The best deals are not at eye level
The first items a shopper sees in a grocery aisle are not the best buys. Less-expensive brands are placed either high or low. Pricey and name brands are at eye level.
● Supermarkets are not always the best place to buy non-food items
Many supermarkets don’t source non-food products like paper goods or cleaning products. The best prices are usually cheaper at big box retailers like Costco, Target, or Walmart. Sometimes online retailers can beat the best store prices. When comparing prices, remember to always look at the cost per unit and number of units, not only the total.
● Free Samples Whet Your Appetite
According to Martin Lindstrom, author of Buyology and Brandwashed, says food sampling is designed to activate your hunger and get the customer to impulse buy.
◄ Image Source: www.pinterest.com
● The background music is intentional
Lindstrom also says, “Background music is a well-known tactic in retail.” One study found playing slower music (72 beats per minute or fewer) in a supermarket resulted in a 38 percent increase in average gross sales.
● The Grocery store’s discount section is usually “hidden”
Stores often discount items in damaged packages. You need to ask an employee if they have a discount section and where it is.
According to Martin Lindstrom, author of Buyology and Brandwashed, says food sampling is designed to activate your hunger and get the customer to impulse buy.
◄ Image Source: www.pinterest.com
● The background music is intentional
Lindstrom also says, “Background music is a well-known tactic in retail.” One study found playing slower music (72 beats per minute or fewer) in a supermarket resulted in a 38 percent increase in average gross sales.
● The Grocery store’s discount section is usually “hidden”
Stores often discount items in damaged packages. You need to ask an employee if they have a discount section and where it is.
● Bakeries are often located at the front of the store
This is for visual appeal, but the store may also strategically pipe out the smell of fresh baked goods toward the entrance. Some even pipe in the artificial scent of baked goods to trigger cravings. Image Source: www.artpictures.club ►
● Store layout and lighting are strategically designed
Your supermarket will use anything possible to make the products more appealing, even piling apples high on crates
o make the produce look abundant.
Chalk this all up to being a capitalistic consumer society. Like it or not, it is who we are.
YOU KNEW THIS ALREADY
Of course you did!
Anyone who has grocery shopped, particularly for a family, for any length of time is familiar with most of these tricks of the trade. You are probably implementing many of them without even thinking. But we all need to be reminded periodically, and we all fall into habits and patterns that may need changing after a while…but we don’t think about it.
So, take these ideas under consideration and make “informed decisions” about changing some of your grocery shopping habits.
JUST SAYIN’
Sources
https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/supermarket-secrets/?cmp=EMC-DSM-NLC-OTH-WBLTR-2002400-2094121-9328092-NA-06072025-Webletter-MS1-SAPLA-BTN-S08_A-Money&encparam=gEGhXRuXYldudBaLHelHywL+AU5FLAe01RE6k5jyiOA=
https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/cheapest-groceries-walmart-aldi-target/?cmp=KNC-DMP-SAPLA-SPR-RetirementPlanning-Nonbrand-65030-Bing-AldivsWalmartvsTarget-Exact-NonBrand&&msclkid=bee8e520b75916d83d3c8d41d572873f&gclid=bee8e520b75916d83d3c8d41d5
https://thrivemarket.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Non-Brand_SEM_Diet_Natural&utm_content=1167683279404316&utm_term=natural%20grocers%20closest%20to%20me&device=c&ccode=acq60fogwp&ccode_force=1&msclkid=dcf4763abc8f103b5f8b1e5bc527634e
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-ways-to-eat-healthy-on-a-budget
https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/how-save-money-on-groceries-when-eating-healthy/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/superfoods.aspx
https://www.tastingtable.com/1416786/grocery-store-hacks-better-shopping/
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/cooking-skills/shopping/grocery-shopping-tips
https://www.foodrepublic.com/1688814/why-grocery-store-bakery-front/
This is for visual appeal, but the store may also strategically pipe out the smell of fresh baked goods toward the entrance. Some even pipe in the artificial scent of baked goods to trigger cravings. Image Source: www.artpictures.club ►
● Store layout and lighting are strategically designed
Your supermarket will use anything possible to make the products more appealing, even piling apples high on crates
o make the produce look abundant.
Chalk this all up to being a capitalistic consumer society. Like it or not, it is who we are.
YOU KNEW THIS ALREADY
Of course you did!
Anyone who has grocery shopped, particularly for a family, for any length of time is familiar with most of these tricks of the trade. You are probably implementing many of them without even thinking. But we all need to be reminded periodically, and we all fall into habits and patterns that may need changing after a while…but we don’t think about it.
So, take these ideas under consideration and make “informed decisions” about changing some of your grocery shopping habits.
JUST SAYIN’
Sources
https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/supermarket-secrets/?cmp=EMC-DSM-NLC-OTH-WBLTR-2002400-2094121-9328092-NA-06072025-Webletter-MS1-SAPLA-BTN-S08_A-Money&encparam=gEGhXRuXYldudBaLHelHywL+AU5FLAe01RE6k5jyiOA=
https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/cheapest-groceries-walmart-aldi-target/?cmp=KNC-DMP-SAPLA-SPR-RetirementPlanning-Nonbrand-65030-Bing-AldivsWalmartvsTarget-Exact-NonBrand&&msclkid=bee8e520b75916d83d3c8d41d572873f&gclid=bee8e520b75916d83d3c8d41d5
https://thrivemarket.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Non-Brand_SEM_Diet_Natural&utm_content=1167683279404316&utm_term=natural%20grocers%20closest%20to%20me&device=c&ccode=acq60fogwp&ccode_force=1&msclkid=dcf4763abc8f103b5f8b1e5bc527634e
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-ways-to-eat-healthy-on-a-budget
https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/how-save-money-on-groceries-when-eating-healthy/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/superfoods.aspx
https://www.tastingtable.com/1416786/grocery-store-hacks-better-shopping/
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/cooking-skills/shopping/grocery-shopping-tips
https://www.foodrepublic.com/1688814/why-grocery-store-bakery-front/
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