5 Simple Tips to Avoid Overbuying at the Grocery Store

You go in thinking you’ll buy a few items, but pretty soon you’re loading the back of your car with bag after bag. We’ve all been there.

It can be easy to fall into the trap of overbuying at grocery stores. They’re designed to make the products appealing, and sometimes it’s just too hard to resist the lure of an impulse buy.

But you can avoid overbuying, and you don’t even need steely self-control to do so. These five simple tips can help you avoid overbuying on your next trip to the grocery store.

Don’t go in hungry.

Hunger can cloud your judgment and make nearly any food item seem irresistible. Your body wants food, and it is hijacking your mind to try to get it.

Instead, try going to the grocery store right after you’ve eaten. Your logical mind will have much more control over your purchasing decisions.

Skip the cart.

Using a cart makes it easy to load it up with anything that strikes your fancy. Carrying a shopping basket instead will help you avoid buying unnecessary items. After all, you have limited space, and the more you add to your basket, the harder it will be to carry.  

Have a shopping list.

Maintaining a shopping list not only helps you remember what you need to buy, it can also help you maintain your focus. If you go in on a mission to find specific products, you’re less likely to notice products you don’t need.

Shop more often.

It might seem counterintuitive to shop more often, but it can be a good way to avoid overbuying. If you only shop once every week or two, you might be more inclined to overbuy just in case you need something during that time period. However, if you shop every few days, you know you can pick up more food soon, so you might not feel as inclined to stockpile.

Know when you plan to use an item.

Whenever you want to add an item to your cart, just think about when you plan to use it. If you don’t have a specific time in mind, you probably don’t need it just yet.

You don’t have to use all these tips on every trip to the grocery store, but if you want to avoid overbuying the next time you shop, try out some of these tips to see what works for you!