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You probably remember how much inflation sucks every time you visit the grocery store. While there’s not much you can do about pricing, you can control how much you spend.
In a recent YouTube video, personal finance expert Rachel Cruze spoke with her Ramsey Solutions colleague Jade Warshaw, a budgeting expert in her own right, about the things consumers do wrong when shopping.
Below are some common mistakes to avoid the next time you shop for groceries.
Shopping without a budget
According to Warshaw, “You can’t go shopping until you know how much you can spend.” She suggests having a monthly budget and then breaking it down into her shopping trips.
While creating a budget and knowing your limit may not seem like fun, it can free you up to get creative and find new ways to spend your allotted amount.
Shopping without list
Shopping without a list makes you more likely to buy things you don’t need. One way to get into the habit of making a shopping list is to plan your meals for each day of the week and write down what you need for each.
If you’re not convinced that having a shopping list is worth the effort, here’s something else to consider: Checking things off that list can give you a sense of accomplishment and improve your mood.
Last minute purchases
Almost everyone knows the feeling of being in that frantic state and just looking for something quick and easy for dinner.
One of the problems with being in a hurry at the grocery store is that you are much less likely to have an organized list and an idea of what you really need. And that can quickly turn into a much higher bill.
Do not bring cash
You may want to consider going to the ATM and withdrawing cash for your next shopping trip.
If you come with cash, you know that’s the amount you have to spend. Do this often enough and you’ll have a pretty good idea of how much food you can buy with the money you have on hand.
Place your own order
Going to a human cashier can help you stay accountable for spending only the amount you planned. You can tell the cashier to notify you when he reaches that amount and that it cannot be exceeded.
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