Here are some thoughts from the book The Net Worth Workout: A Powerful Program for a Lifetime of Financial Fitness (see my rating for details) on how you can save money by shopping with a list:
In fact, more than two-thirds of grocery store shoppers buy on impulse. On the other hand, if you bring a list of things you need when you go shopping, you not only spend less time in the store, you also spend less money there. In his book The Millionaire Mind, Thomas J. Stanley notes that 84 percent of millionaires shop with a list.
I certainly shop with a list -- when my wife lets me into a grocery store. Now whether or not I pay attention to that list, that's another thing. I certainly do get everything I have written down, but I also seem to pick up a bunch of other things.
Remember, a grocery store is designed to get you to buy more things than what you planned to buy originally. So just by going in to "pick up a few things," even if you have a list, you're playing right into their hand.
So shouldn't the money saving tip be something like this:
Minimize your trips to the store.
The fewer trips made to the store, the fewer opportunities you have to buy more than you need. This would argue for making one gigantic list over a week or two (or maybe more), then hitting the store for one big shopping extravaganza, not to return for a week or two more.
Does anyone do this? We try to, but it seems my wife is in the store every two or three days simply to pick up one or two things. She's usually pretty good about not buying extras, but even so, she still sometimes comes home with more than she'd planned.
I only go once a week with a needs or good buy list. A few things I will pick up to try or are good values. The actual day may vary if I run out of milk or something but I have no desire to battle the crowds more than that. I usually go first thing in the morning to avoid them. Beyond some perishables, freezer space is usually the limiting factor. I limit the volumes because I cannot consume that much that fast.
Posted by: Lord | March 30, 2007 at 01:43 PM
I always shop with a list, which includes sale items for which I have coupons. I mostly want to just get in and out, so a list is great! Saves me a lot of time as well as money.
Posted by: mom2fur | April 04, 2007 at 03:31 PM