We all know the scenario, we pop into our local supermarket for a couple of items and we walk out with half a shopping cart. There are a few psychological tricks you can play on yourself to spend less.
1. Stick to the list – we all know this one but many of us just can resist going off list. Give the BOGOFs a miss and walk on by the discounted ice cream.
2. Only use cash – if you use a debit or credit card we spend up to 30% more. Visit the cash point first and only take out as much as you need so you won’t be able to spend any extra.
3. Use a basket not a trolley, if you are carrying your shopping around you are less likely to buy off your list. I bring my shopping basket into the store empty and once it is full or just heavy enough that I can carry it home, I know it is time to stop shopping.
4. Never shop when you are hungry – I know we all have heard this one before but how many of us really stick to it? I will get a small snack before I hit the supermarket to avoid over buying.
5. No browsing – you are in the supermarket to buy food not leisurely shop for shoes so make it a quick in&out job. Know the layout of your store and pretend you are on Supermarket Sweep. Have a blinders on to anything that is not on your list.
Do you have any other hints how to spend less at the supermarket? Drop me a comment.
Using a basket is a great tip. It makes it so much easier to guage how heavy your shopping bags will be, and is a good deterrent for me. I also like to price-check my receipts and use any vouchers I receive from this on my next shop.
Hi Yvonne, thanks for commenting. I am not great a remembering the vouchers I get to use for my next shop. When I get them from Tesco, the voucher is usually for a bigger shop than I do, ie save £5 when you spend £30.