Do you spend more than you intend to at the grocery store?
By megamatt
@megamatt (14292)
United States
May 27, 2010 11:14am CST
It seems like every time I go to the grocery store, I spend a little more than I intend to. It is actually a running joke at this point, exactly how much money I spend. I do in fact make a list and I think I would be spending a lot more extra had I not made it. Still, even a list does not guarantee that I will not overspend. Do you find yourself spending more than you intend at the grocery store? Or do you follow your list to the letter? Looking forward to reading your responses.
25 responses
@Crisfannum1 (314)
• Indonesia
28 May 10
Amazingly, I don't like to shop. Infact, I try to shop as fast as I can, grab what I need, then leave. I prefer to spend more on books though. But groceries, moreover clothes, shoes, bags, and stuff, I hate that...
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
28 May 10
Yes, I tend to spend more than i intend to at the grocery store. grocery shopping is one of the things i am fond of doing. i am doing grocery shopping every week. usually, i purchase fish(dory, milkfish), chicken, vegetables, toiletries, snacks, drinks, etc... i am going my weekly shopping on monday.. i am planning to buy lots of fresh goods(fish and chicken) and toiletries too..
@mokkka (881)
• Bulgaria
28 May 10
I spend much as I have intended and planned to.Each time I go into a shop I know everything I need or just want to taste so I almost don't buy a lot more things than I have planned to but I still spend much money just because I need many things in my everyday life.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
28 May 10
Stores do a good job of putting the products in the right place, to catch the eyes of a person. They know where they are going to attract the attention of the customer who might spend money. That is one thing that a lot of grocery stores that I have went to have gotten right on. Thank you for your response. It was much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
27 May 10
I only spend more time at the grocery store when I'm buying alot of groceries. I go shopping once a month for groceries. I just went to walmart and did my shopping. Spent 122 dollars and was there over an hour. But got plenty of stuff to last me 2 weeks. I like shopping this way because then i'm not using my money each paycheck for groceries. I'm sure theres other ways I can do my shopping but this is just easier for us!
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
28 May 10
Once a month, wow, that's actually impressive. We go once a week, but there are things we buy in cycles. I do wonder if we would spend more or less if we went once a month. Unfortunately, there is a routine that is so used to, that it would be hard to go from it. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
27 May 10
I try to follow my food budget. Sometimes those little cravings can get the best of me though. If i have the extra money on hand to splurge, I usually end up going beyond what I intended to spend at the grocery store. Such will power!
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
27 May 10
Yes, will power is an important component to following the list. Some weeks, I have more of it than others. Other weeks, I cave in. I really try not to but that's how it goes. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
28 May 10
Yes, true, not having a lot of money will tend to cure any kind of spending. Including your grocery shopping. Still, I always tend to have a bit extra on me. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@evepin (721)
• Philippines
28 May 10
oh my goodness, i am so very guilty as charged! i bought this grocery list pad and i always tick on the things that we really lack. but then, some 10 items become 20 or so. its probably because i go to racks where i dont have anything to buy there, but end up getting a thing or two. this is not good especially since we are on a tight budget! now i'm trying to control myself from buying stuff in the grocery!
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
28 May 10
I think going with the things we really need helps most of the time. Unfortunately, there is always one week out of the month where we really need a lot. It never fails. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@charylady (419)
• Philippines
28 May 10
i usually keep to my lists but then again sometimes there are items on sale and i don't want to pass up the opportunity. these are items that i would purchase anyway so why not now that it's on sale.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
28 May 10
Absolutely, sales for some items do not come up that often. Therefore, buy them in bulk when they are on sale. Because, you never know the next time they were sale. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@cheatedaphrodite (810)
• Philippines
27 May 10
This is one of my problem. Even if I list down all the things I needed, I would end up not following it at all. Once I'm in the grocery, I don't even look for my list even if I had it on my hands so the tendency is I spent too much or I was not able to buy what I should be needing or what is important. I tried to bring exact amount for me not cut my expenses but still, I would end up buying the least important things I need.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
27 May 10
There is a point to be made, a list that is made is really no good unless it is looked at. Therefore, when you go into the grocery, it has to be consulted for it to be any good. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@stretch81 (32)
• United States
28 May 10
I try to stick to my list but I also have a husbend that has a very big sweet tooth. Every time he is with me he always has to grab two or three boxes of snack cakes. The problem is I like to eat them also so I can't always tell him no when he wants to get some. If we didn't buy those or any chips for a few weeks we would probably save around 25 bucks. That is way to much to spend on junk food, but I guess sometimes you just gotta have it.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
28 May 10
Yes, cravings get the better of the best of us. I know I shouldn't get that box of cookies on top of everything else, but actually its two for five and I haven't had them in a few weeks. The things that taste the best tend to be our worst enemy. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
27 May 10
Yes lists do help in theory a lot of the time. And when I make a list, its a bit easier to stick to what I need, with fewer additions. There still will be some, but without a list and some direction, I will be adding all sorts of extras. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@jeanne94668 (478)
• Philippines
27 May 10
You're right!!! It is no guarantee that even if you have a list that you won't overspend when you go to the grocery. There are times that some items are on sale that you also need but not in your list. Coz at that time it is not on sale and it is very expensive. But when you see that it is on sale you grab it to have the chance to save on that item.
But I do follow my list, though there aer some items added as you go around the grocery. To be honest I don't go shopping to the department stores anymore. When I say shopping it is the grocery.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
27 May 10
Yes, that's extremely true. Grocery stores tend to have these sales and its just better to buy things in bulk when they are on sale. Because, its hard telling when the next time they will be on sale, so you need to stock up a little bit. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
27 May 10
Yes, limiting the amount of cash will cure that habit. Not to mention taking the credit card at home. Of course, I always keep extra cash on me in case of an emergency, so it is a vicious cycle. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
27 May 10
I don't really do the groceries here. My brother does it. I suggest you just bring the exact amount the next time you're grocery shopping. Get the sum from your list and bring that amount with you. That way you won't overspend while you're in the grocery store.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
27 May 10
That is a sound idea for sure. Unfortunately, prices fluctuate and I might underestimate what I need. So, its a good idea, but there tends to be variables with price shifts that might tend to mandate that I should bring a little extra. Still, it's getting the point where I pretty much have it figured out but at the same time, there are still a couple of items(more than a couple of I see a sale) that causes me to spend. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@cmjune76 (273)
• United States
27 May 10
I only overspend if my spouse and or daughter is with me. They always insist on buying extra junk. I plan our menus around our budget and allow for a little wiggle room, b/c not everyone is always craving the same snack. I usually stick the 'horseshoe' shape of the store... The fruit/veggies, meat, dairy and bread are on the outer aisles and the 'junk' and processed foods are in the middle. This plan helps me out a lot.
I also refer to my coupons and factor the best price and watch sales. They go in cycles... helps me buy in bulk and save a lot of money!
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
27 May 10
Coupons help a great deal, as do sales. I can only imagine how much more money I would have spent had those deals not been in place. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@cindysoriano (103)
• Philippines
27 May 10
yes, i do. i love looking on each item that catch my chingky eyes haha. and sometimes even its not on my budget i bought them.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
27 May 10
Yes, that tends to the problem. The store(and many stores) does a great job of making the items catch your eye. Almost too good in fact. Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
