Buying groceries is one of those universal chores most of us could probably do better at, whether it’s saving money on food or spending less time shopping. Here are ten common mistakes we tend to make at the grocery store—and how to avoid them.
Shopping on the wrong days
All days of the week aren’t equal when it comes to grocery shopping. You probably already know not to head to the grocery store for chips and salsa when it’s game day because of the crowds, but if you want to get the best deals, consider shopping mid-week and late in the day (especially on a Wednesday) when breads, meats, and other foods with limited shelf lives tend to be marked down.
You can also ask your local store when they mark down these items and when they restock their produce so you can get the freshest food. It also pays to stock up on grocery items when they go on sale for the month; April, for example, is a good time to pick up baking supplies.
Choosing the worst checkout line
Most of us just want to get in and out of the supermarket with our bags of food. To do that as quickly as possible, we need a checkout strategy. The express lane, despite its name, might not be the fastest lane. Superstition-damned lane 13 or one of the lanes in the far left might be a better choice. Or, do the math and estimate how many items the people already on line have in their basket. If you’re doing self-checkout, do yourself a favor and just swipe items without looking for the barcode.
Buying too much food
Like other retailers, grocery stores are set up to trick you into buying more than you need. Even if you don’t fall for their marketing tricks, it’s easy to grab too much, especially when things are on sale or something catches your eye (or nose—like the scent of fresh rotisserie chicken). Know the most common impulse buys at the grocery store before you go shopping, always shop with a list, and avoid buying in bulk if the items are perishable. Also, leave the kids at home.
Buying too little food
On the flip side, some of us occasionally buy too little food, forgetting stuff we need. Then we end up shopping last minute or, worse, just getting takeout. Again, always shop with a list. If you’re short on time, a standby grocery list of ingredients you always enjoy can help. Stock up on pantry essentials and keep track of your inventory, perhaps with an app like Pantry or the old fashioned way with an actual written list in your pantry.
Buying produce out of season
When fruits and vegetables are in season, they’re not only cheaper, they taste so much better and are healthier for you. If you buy locally, you also support your community. Several resources will tell you what’s in season now. There’s RipeTrack, Eat the Seasons, and Epicurious’ interactive map.
Shopping at the wrong stores
Some things also tend to be better in general to buy at one store than at others, and certain items, like name-brand spices, aren’t always great to buy at the supermarket. Here’s what to buy at Costco versus your grocery store, why you should buy milk at the pharmacy, the things you’ll save money on at local ethnic markets, and what to buy or not to buy at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Salvaged grocery stores and food co-ops are also alternatives to the supermarket that can save you a ton of money on food. On the other hand, shopping online for groceries can save you time, hassle, and possibly money. Doing a little comparison shopping of stores can also save you big bucks and help you decide what to buy where.
Buying week to week
Buying only what you need for the week might sound like a frugal strategy, but when we do this we end up paying full price for the majority of what we put in our carts. Although you don’t want to buy too much food, if you have room in your freezer or pantry, stock up on the items you know you will always use when they go on sale. (Use freezer cooking to prep a ton of meals for later in the week or month and use up your stocked up groceries. Also, a two-week grocery cycle could help you waste less food.)
Not knowing prices of foods you buy regularly
Even when groceries are on sale, how do you know they’re a good buy and you should stock up? A price book. Keep tabs on the prices of items you regularly buy at different stores and you’ll never fall for a “fake” sale again. You’ll look for unit prices at the grocery store to compare items, but beware of some unit pricing trickery—inconsistent unit pricing or confusing measurements.
Shopping on an empty stomach
You’ve heard this before, but it bears repeating: Do your grocery shopping on a full stomach. Otherwise, everything in the store might be too tempting. You might also chew mint gum while shopping to avoid stores’ scent marketing tactics and wear headphones in case the store’s music could manipulate you to spend more money.
Not having a meal plan
In short, you need a plan when grocery shopping. Perhaps the most important plan is your meal plan, which solves several of these common mistakes. Here’s how to get started planning your weekly meals, how to do it even on a tight budget, and some of our favorite meal planning apps.
This story was originally published in April 2015 and was updated on April 29, 2021 as a slideshow with new photos and information.