1. Impulse buying is a thief
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The items that cost the most are those small extras you don't need but go for and add to your cart because, well, what's one more thing anyway? The more things you buy, the more your hard-earned money (that you could use to pay your debt or secure your future) is wasted, so make it a habit to refrain from buying things you don't need.
2. Use a cash back credit card
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Simply put, if you pay using a debit card, you're letting money slip through your fingers. That's because you can use cashback credit cards, which give you money back every time you swipe your card and reward you with a certain percentage. The amount you can earn varies depending on the card, but it can be anything from 1% and 6%.
3. Buy discount gift cards
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Gift cards are available at a discount on many websites, so it's wise to look into getting them for less. Even a small amount of money saved on each gift card over the pricey holiday season can add up. In addition, gift cards can come with discounts for mass purchases. Just be careful to buy them from a reliable site. Check a website's trust score by reading reviews about it, and if in doubt, don't buy anything from there.
4. Make a list and stick to it
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Take inventory of what you already have at home before you go shopping. To prevent impulse purchases, make a checklist of what you need (and stick to it — this is the most important aspect!). You know, like the "deal" where you could buy one and get one free from something you didn't really need one of. With apps like TickTick or Notes, you can also keep a running list of goods that are running low directly on your phone.
5. Check local store flyers
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Before you go to the grocery shop, take some time to browse local flyers. Check them and then your list again to see if anything on your list is on sale. Mark the things that are a good deal and note the price and retailer next to them. If you see something on sale that is not on your list but that you know you will need soon, circle it anyway. If your budget allows it, stock up while it's on sale. If spreading out all the paper leaflets seems like too much of a chore, you can also check those online.
6. Shop at the farmers' markets
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If you regularly consume fresh fruits and vegetables (which you should!), you probably already know how much they can up the bill. An excellent strategy to save money on fruits and vegetables is to avoid the produce area in the shop and instead visit the local farmers' market. You can get even fresher food for less money at farmers' markets. Plus, you'll also be encouraging the local economy.
7. Use coupons effectively
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Even on the first try, coupons can significantly reduce your shopping expenses. Saving a few bucks every time may not seem like much at first, but over time, it can really add up. Finding the proper coupons can take some time and work, but it's worth it. The first step is to set aside time each week to look for them by also staying within the budget and the shopping list. Bonus tip: Use coupons only on products that you will actually use.
8. Skip the eye-level shelf
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Deals are hidden in places you wouldn't expect. Keeping the priciest things at eye level, which for the average customer means the middle shelf, is one of the classic techniques supermarkets use to get people to spend more. People tend to buy what first attracts their attention, especially if they are pressed for time and cannot browse the shelves. So instead, look at the top and bottom of the shelf to find the cheapest selections.
9. Shop from clearance racks
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Shopping at cheap retailers saves a lot of money on apparel and accessories. Even though retailers like TJ Maxx and Marshalls already charge less than your typical department stores, they frequently hold additional sales where you can get fantastic discounts on your go-to brands. Stick as much as you can to the clearance racks if you do shop at department stores.
10. Switch to store brands
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Store-brand foods are less expensive options. According to Consumer Reports, numerous store brands taste exactly like big name-brand products. You can also save your hard-earn money by shopping at bargain retailers and grocers. Simply join the mailing lists of your favorite brands or follow them on social media. This way, you'll get access to deals, promotions, and 10% or 15% off for your first purchase.
11. Wait (if you can)
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The retail sector is seasonal. What does this mean? For example, if you wait until the end of a season, you can save a lot of money on clothing. As summer turns into fall, outdoor or patio décor will often go on sale, and holiday décor is often reduced once the season has passed. Additionally, three-day weekends are great for discounts on furnishings and appliances. Even though it's not always possible to time your purchases, if you can wait until those key moments, do so.
12. Consider meal prepping
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Stop throwing away the food you buy! Instead, if possible, decide when you'll go shopping every week, prepare your meals right after, and freeze a large portion of those meals so they last longer. Besides being a terrific way to save money, it also helps you stick to your weekly eating schedule.
13. Buy from thrift stores
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Books, for instance, should never be purchased at full price if at all possible because as soon as you leave the store, their worth decreases. Therefore, buying used items (like books, records, furniture, clothing, and jewelry) from thrift shops is a terrific way to save a lot of money. To increase your chances of actually finding a good deal at a thrift store, schedule your trips around a significant holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving, when people will be more likely to donate items. Keep an eye out for sales as well.
14. Get a membership card
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Every time you check out at the grocery store, the clerk will try to convince you to sign up for the business' loyalty program. This can be annoying, but it's worth spending the extra time to sign up because all you'll need to do to access member-only discounts is enter your phone number or swipe your card. Plus, it's fun to watch your loyalty points go up.
15. Avoid online shopping (if possible)
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Although convenient, online grocery services and subscriptions can be expensive. Likely, you will only sometimes find the size you need online and will have to upgrade to a larger size at a costlier price. Or you won't find the item you want at all! Moreover, Amazon, for instance, uses third-party vendors to carry out grocery orders. These can come with shipping fees, which raise your bill.
16. Identify the sales rotation in your town
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Have you ever pondered the logic behind why your neighborhood grocery store runs sales? Many retailers alternate how they give these bargain pricing on essentials like meats, paper goods, cheese, beverages, and even veggies. Identify the rotation and stock up on things that can be frozen or have a longer shelf life when they are sold at a significant discount.
17. Look for discontinued items
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You know that "discontinued" shelf or table next to the cashier stations? Always keep an eye on there. They can also occasionally be found somewhat concealed in the back of the store, close to the entrance to the stockroom. You never know what goodies you might find as they rotate through the stock.
18. Stock up on sale items
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One of the biggest pitfalls of shopping is paying full price for items when you need them. You can and should stock up on non-perishable necessities like toothpaste and toilet paper when they are on sale. However, if you decide to stock up, limit your purchases to items you actually use. Otherwise, you'll only squander money and fill your home with unnecessary items that will take up space until you eventually throw them away.
19. Cut your own fruit
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Yes, purchasing pre-cut vegetables, fruit, and even pre-shredded cheese saves time, but it's worth the extra work to save money by chopping, dicing, and shredding everything yourself. Make it a routine to chop, shred, or otherwise prepare everything as soon as you arrive home from the supermarket. You could even finish this job right after you come home (unless they're something like strawberries).
20. Check the expiration date on labels
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Supermarkets use The First In, First Out (FIFO) approach to stock products, which means that they display the products with the closest expiration date at the front of the shelves. However, you can make it a habit to grab things with later expiration dates from the back. TikTok users may recall receiving this advice last year, and we've gotta say, it's a really good one!
21. Check the price per unit
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Keep track of the value you are receiving for your money. Various packages' cost per unit (ounce, pound, gram, etc.) is frequently printed on the pricing display next to the product. To figure out the price per unit, you can alternatively use a unit pricing calculator. This info is useful because some retailers offer the same goods in many sizes.
22. Use an app to store discounts
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Retail Me Not is like extreme coupon clipping but without hand cramps. You can see all of the sale listings in one location for both online and in-person purchases. To help you get your hands on the best deal, retailers like American Eagle, J. Crew, and PacSun offer all their coupons online. You'll just have to show your phone at the register for this one!
23. Register for reward programs
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Reward programs are designed to keep consumers coming back to the retailer that offers them. The ideal practice, then, is to enroll in incentive programs and make sure to use them whenever we shop. But unless a product is something you will use, you should disregard promotions if you're trying to save money; however, be sure to keep an eye out for discounts, coupons, and vouchers.
24. Shop during senior discount days
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Although some supermarket companies still provide them, senior discounts are a rapidly disappearing type of savings. Ask your neighborhood store whether they offer seniors a discount for shopping on a particular day of the week; this reduction is often 5% or 10% off the total. The best advice is to call and confirm ahead of time rather than just turning up and hoping for a deal.
25. Ask about price matching
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Many stores, including Best Buy and Walmart, will match the lowest price for an item if you want to buy a new phone or a pair of headphones. Simply show them the reduced price and the item on your phone, and they will immediately match it. Some department stores also offer price matching, so it never hurts to ask.
26. Ask yourself, "Would I buy this if it weren't on sale?"
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If you won't wear it more than once, even something inexpensive is a waste of money. So before you swipe your card, make sure you'll actually wear those $9 chandelier earrings more than once or actually get to prepare that fancy vegan burger you've already bought once but threw away after a week.
27. Set a budget and work backward
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If you truly want to make sure you save as much money as you can, setting a weekly or monthly shopping budget is worth it. Set aside money for food within the total budget, calculate the maximum amount you should be able to spend, and then adjust your shopping list to stay under that limit.
28. Buy previously owned gift cards at a discount
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Websites like CardCash and Raise make money by purchasing unwanted gift cards and reselling them below face value. Here are some of the deals available on CardCash as of March 2023: Trader Joe's 0.8%, 1.1% off at Walmart, and 1.5% off at Whole Foods Market. Keep in mind that these offers frequently sell out. Thankfully, there are notifications you can set up to notify you when a gift card for your favorite grocery store becomes available.
29. Ditch bottled water
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Are you still buying water bottle packs? Stop this craziness! Better invest in an ionizer or water filter to save more money in the long term. Water from your faucet can be made clean by passing it through a water filter that you only purchase once (like the Kangen machine, for instance). Such a filter benefits the environment in addition to helping you save money on your monthly expenses and guaranteeing that your family always has access to clean water. It's a win-win situation.
30. Learn to substitute
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While you're shopping, practice being adaptable and making simple substitutions. For instance, a lovely, fresh loaf of French bread from the bakery is far more expensive than the rolls for a sub. Likewise, a rotisserie chicken from the service deli is less expensive and healthier than expensive lunch meat.