Save Money--Limit Your Shopping Trips

It's logical: the less you are in the grocery store, the less temptation you have to impulse buy. Think about it...how many times have you gone out "just to pick up 1 or 2 things" and left with a half a cart full of items that you hadn't planned on getting?  Grocery stores are cleverly marketed to sell--dazzling displays, coupons, sale displays, you name it. And it works.  

Several months ago I read a wonderful book by Steve and Annette Economides , Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half . Among their many suggestions, they explained how they have cut their shopping down to once a month! I happen to be a born shopper and could shop everyday. I also buy on impulse quite often. I knew cutting down on my shopping trips would help slash our grocery bill. After reading the book, I took 2 actions to limit my trips to the grocery store. When I stick to the system (which I don't always do perfectly) I do see a reduction in our shopping bill.

1.  Shop for groceries once a week. Usually on Sunday or Monday I do a big shopping, going to a few stores to get the best deals. I try to consolidate all my grocery supplies in one trip. I do a produce run usually in the middle of the week, not on the same day. 

2. Shop for certain supplies once a month. I have found that if I shop for paper goods, like paper plates, plastic cutlery, etc., as well as toiletries like toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo and the like, just monthly, this not only cuts down on my bill, but also saves me valuable time.