Quit These 8 Habits to Save More Money Food Shopping

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Hey there hi there and welcome to our two family house! We’re big on saving money to help you reach your real estate goals – and beyond! That’s why we’re talking about food shopping tips today.

Like most Americans these days, we are trying to cut back on our grocery budget. We do love delicious food, but we don’t love mortgaging our future for it!

If you’re just starting out with a grocery budget, here’s exactly How to Budget for Grocery Shopping and 23 Ways to Save Money on Groceries.

In today’s post, we’re talking bad habits – what to quit doing to save money on your food shopping bill. Let’s go!

Stop Throwing Food Away

Food shopping tip #1: Stop throwing food away!

Food waste is at the point of embarrassment these days.

If you think you’re going to eat the spring mix and you never eat the spring mix, stop buying the stupid spring mix.

If you know your toddler is only going to eat half a sandwich, only make half – or save the rest for later.

Need to sober up? Check out these horrifying statistics on the magnitude of food waste in America. 38% of our food is thrown out?!

Just imagine, what if you’re throwing 38% of your grocery money in the trash?

Don’t Smoke Pot!

Listen now, it’s not legal in every state, but it’s legal in many. Where we live, it’s as common to catch a whiff of cigarette smoke as it is to smell the ganja.

I’ve never touched marijuana, and I don’t intend to – but from what I hear, if you smoke, it increases your appetite.

If you’re looking to cut your spending at the grocery store, lay off the 420 before you depart! Don’t overspend with a case of the munchies!

Don’t Workout

It might be convenient to hit the gym and then the grocery store in one trip. But man, you know that feeling after a HIIT workout or a swim? That voraciously hungry, I-need-to-eat-it-all feeling?

Don’t do that before you go food shopping! I don’t know about you, but I’ll be twice as likely to buy food I don’t need and subconsciously justify overspending, all because I burned some calories at the gym.

Do your workout, fuel your tank, and then hit the grocery store. If you really want to knock it out with a 1-2 punch, pack a post-workout snack!

save money on groceries — …a fine price on delicious berries! YES in the year 2025!

Don’t Go When You’re Tired

Okay, I understand. I’ve got two kids 4 and under. We’re in the perma-tired phase of parenting.

But, if possible, go to the store when you are fresh and alert. You’ll be more likely to pay attention to your list, avoid impulse buys, and get in-and-out in no time.

Remember, the less time you spend in the store, the less you’ll buy.

Don’t Bring the Kids

Speaking of our darling angels… it’s best to leave them home from the store.

If I do bring my kids with me, one of two things happens: 1, I buy an item not on the list because they swindle me into thinking we need said item, or 2, I rush through the store and forget things and end up having to return and our spending plan implodes to smithereens.

The grocery store is better tackled by myself, when I can think clearly and stick to our list.

Don’t Forget Your $%^&ing Shopping Bags!

Jersey friends know my pain.

Remember to bring your reusable shopping bags to the store.

Forgetting them yields one of the following:

(a) scrounge for boxes to pack your stuff

(b) pay for the store’s bags

(c) schlep your items one by one into your trunk in strong defiance of the annoying law that created such an inconvenience that not only leaves people without a means of taking home their fresh groceries but also leaves us without plastic bag liners for our bathroom trash, puppy poo, and small home office bins that we all happily used to reuse our bright yellow Shoprite bags for.

I’m fine, everything’s fine.

Lesson: Find a way to remember the “bag of bags”.

grocery shopping tips — my personal favorite shopping bag

Say No to Prepared Snacks

Okay, fine, you can have Rx bars, or IQ bars, or whatever bars your family consumes on a road trip. But do you really need the pre-packed muffins, flavored rice bags, pre-portioned chips, cookie bites, etc., etc., etc. for the days you are working from home?

Try to cut back a bit on the prepared foods, and see what you can make yourself.

I’m not saying you need to mass-produce orange goldfish crackers here, but I am telling you: you’re paying premiums for the convenience. (PS… it’s better for your insides to avoid the pre-made stuff, too!).

Stop Buying Treats

I don’t know about you, but I cannot stop the treat train from entering our home.

Regardless of my health efforts, my children (ok, plus hubby and I) enjoy treats nightly!! I don’t know where they come from anymore – work, kids’ parties, Nana’s house, neighbors, the local fair????

I do know one thing, though: I don’t buy cookies or ice cream or cakes at all. None whatsoever. At the grocery store, I only buy semisweet chocolate chips to keep on hand for baking. That’s it!

Occasionally, we bake a fun treat and the kids help, but as my immigrant Grandmother once said to me, “Don’t be spending your hard-earned money on cookies.”

Last Thoughts on Food Shopping Tips

Hopefully you have appreciated these food shopping tips! Cutting some self-sabotaging habits will help you save money on groceries and gain control of your food budget.

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