Money Saving Tip: Use a List when Grocery Shopping

Here's a money saving tip from the Consumer Credit Counseling Service on how to save when shopping for groceries:

Always take your list of "needed" items with you and stick to it.

My wife always takes a list to the store -- unfortunately, she often forgets to read it while actually inside the establishment. This doesn't really hurt us on price (since my wife has every price in the world memorized) or on extra purchases (she's not enticed by stuff she didn't come to get -- unlike me), but it does result in a hectic trip to the store at the last minute to get ketchup, maple syrup, etc. when the meal's already prepared and we realize we're out because she forgot to buy an item. And when I rush to the store to get syrup, knowing the pancakes are at home getting cold, I am VERY price INSENSITIVE. The first syrup I see is getting bought -- no matter the price!

Here are some of my favorite money saving tip posts:

• 50 Ways to Trim Your Budget
• Found Money: Surprising Ways to Save
• Save Big on a Tiny Income
• Money Saving Tip: Ask for Free Drugs
• Five Surprise Savings Tips
• Comments: Money Saving Tip: Skip Dessert when Eating Out; Drink Water
• Money Saving Tip: Do Business with Companies that Back up Their Products/Services
• Easy Ways to Save $5,000 a Year
• Even a Small Leak Can Empty Your Money Bucket Quickly
• Shave $150 a Week off Your Grocery Food Bill

Comments

[Amanda]

Making a list is a great way to come under budget on your groceries. I honestly use on each and every week I go to the store. It really allows you to go sort out what coupons you need, and also what you're going to be making for dinner throughout the week, thus preventing any impromptu pizza ordering or overspending on things you don't need or things that will go bad because you don't eat them...

[Terri W.]

I was going to post a comment here, but then it sort of blossomed into a full fledged post:

http://educatingthewheelers.com/2006/03/15/shopping-lists

But suffice to say, I am very pro-list. I don't know how I managed without one in the past. Oh, yeah, that's right -- I just spent a lot of money on convenience food and had to keep on coming back every few days. Heh.