Biggest mistakes people make at the supermarket

Groceries are one of those things that take time and money. If you ever made a monthly budget, you know that the supermarket represents an important portion of all monthly expenses. There are many things you should consider before, during, and after going to the supermarket and while some of them are just details, there are others that can end up saving you a ton of money. If you think that making a list or using credit card rewards is enough, we are here to tell you those tricks are just the tip of the iceberg. Here are some of the biggest mistakes people make when shopping at the supermarket.

Shopping without rewards

Nowadays supermarkets and grocery stores are always giving away new coupons, reward cards, and loyalty discounts. Since there is a lot of competition, rewards are usually interesting and can make you save a lot of money on selected and discounted items. Signing up for a reward card program or a newsletter only takes a few minutes and gives you access to a lot of exclusive benefits. No matter where you shop for groceries, chances are you are missing out on amazing deals right now. Ask your local clerk next time you are at the store or visit their webpage for more information.

Making small purchases

Like almost every other business, the more you buy, the more you will be able to save at the supermarket. Many credit card and loyalty programs give you big discounts and points if you make a big purchase. Buying just a few items can also make you miss out on promotions like 3 items for the price of 2 or discounts on a second item of the same category and while they may not look like a big deal, promotions pile up and make a difference when you get to the cashier. Make a list and try to go just once or twice a month… and speak about dates…

Not reading weekly ads

Weekly ads are probably one of the easiest ways to save without making any effort. They are the way supermarkets promote their biggest deals of the week, promotions, and seasonal sales. If you are looking for a way to save without subscribing to anything or collecting coupons, then weekly ads are the way to go. You can usually just download them from the supermarkets’ website or any website that specializes in catalogs and weekly ads.

Being hungry

This is a golden rule for all you savers out there. Never go to the supermarket while hungry. Doing this is probably the best way to end up with a whole lot of unnecessary snacks and microwave meals you will instantly regret buying the second you are out the door. Ideally, you should go shopping for groceries with your stomach full. You will be amazed to see how many of those guilty pleasures you like so much are not really as necessary as you thought they were.