You’re probably reminded how much inflation stinks every time you visit the grocery store. While there’s not much you can do about the prices or the effects of tariffs, you can control how much you spend.
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In a popular YouTube video, money expert Rachel Cruze talked with her Ramsey Solutions colleague Jade Warshaw, a budgeting expert in her own right, about what consumers do wrong when they grocery shop. Here are five common mistakes to avoid at the grocery store.
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Shopping Without a Budget
According to Warshaw, “You can’t go shopping until you know how much you can spend.” She suggests having a full monthly budget and then breaking that down specifically for your shopping trips.
Food is a necessity, so while there is no way around having to allocate some of your paycheck to this expense each month, there is some wiggle room when it comes to tracking your spending. While creating a budget and knowing your limit may not sound fun, it can free you up to bring out your creativity to find new ways to spend your allotted amount.
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Shopping Without a List
Shopping without a list is like rehearsing without a safety net; it makes you more likely to financially crash and buy stuff you don’t need. One way to get into the habit of making a grocery list is to plan your meals for each day of the week and write down what you need for each one.
If you’re not convinced a shopping list is worth the effort, here’s something else to consider: Checking things off that list can bring a sense of accomplishment and boost your mood. You can also break down the list into recipes so you know you are only buying items you absolutely need, and avoid pricey impulse purchases.
Shopping at the Last Minute
Just about everyone knows the feeling of being in that frantic state and just searching for anything quick and easy for dinner.
One of the problems with being in a hurry at the grocery store is that you’re much less likely to have an organized list and an idea of what you really need. That can quickly add up to a much higher bill and a lot less money to put into savings options like an emergency fund or a retirement account.
Not Bringing Cash
You may want to consider going to the ATM and taking out cash for your next shopping trip. Cash has a finite limit, which doesn’t allow you to overextend yourself.
If you come with cash, you know that’s the amount you have to spend. Do this often enough and you’ll have a pretty good idea of the amount of groceries you can buy with the money you have on hand.
Ringing Up Your Own Order
Going to a human cashier can help you stay accountable for spending only the amount you planned. You can ask the cashier to please let you know when you’re at that amount and that there’s no going over. Accountability is a great way to avoid common grocery shopping — and budgeting — mistakes.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Grocery Store Mistakes Rachel Cruze Wants You To Avoid
