10 Ways You’re Wasting Money at the Supermarket

4. Shopping without a list

A surefire way to overspend at the grocery store is to go without a shopping list. That causes “one of the biggest budget leaks,” says April Lewis-Parks, director of financial education at Consolidated Credit, a debt relief company. “You wander the aisles, picking up extras, and before you know it, your cart is full of things you didn’t plan for or really need.” 

By walking into the grocery store armed with a meal plan and an accompanying shopping list, you’ll be less susceptible to tempting displays and shiny packages. “You’ve got a plan, and sticking to it means no more impulse buys that inflate your bill,” she says.

5. Stocking up on bottled water

Last year alone Americans consumed nearly 16 billion gallons of bottled water, with sales for the industry up 6.5 percent year-over-year. That’s despite the impact plastic bottles have on the environment. “It’s so easy to make your own bottled water. Invest in one reusable water bottle per family member and get a filtered pitcher if your refrigerator doesn’t have one,” Bodge recommends. A plus: You’re not using all those plastic bottles that end up in a landfill for 450 years.

6. Being too loyal

Many of us are creatures of habit and have a favorite grocery store we tend to frequent. But being loyal to a particular store can backfire if you can nab better sales at a rival supermarket. “Let the deals lead your shopping outings,” says Vines.

7. Shunning store brands

These days most grocery stores sell their own private label products that sit next to the major brand names, with store brands up to 20 percent cheaper, says Vines. 

“Generic brands are often made in the same factories [as brand names] and are significantly cheaper,” notes Bodge, who suggests doing a side-by-side comparison of ingredients before purchasing. “They are right next to each other. It’s easy to do a quick check.”

8. Fearing loyalty programs

Most supermarkets reward loyal shoppers with discounts, deals and freebies. To reap the rewards, you usually have to sign up for the loyalty program online or through an app. That typically requires giving up some of your personal information, but in return you get access to special offers. “Many supermarkets extend weekly deals to loyalty club members,” says Vines. “Those savings can be compounded by downloading store apps, which in many cases feature access to digital coupons.”

There is a movement underway to make loyalty programs easier to use for shoppers who aren’t tech-savvy. Some supermarkets now have kiosks at the entrance to the store, where shoppers can scan their loyalty card or enter their phone number to get that week’s digital offers uploaded onto their shopper’s card and applied at checkout automatically.

9. Buying small quantities

Nobody wants to waste food, but Lewis-Parks says in certain categories, including rice, canned goods and frozen veggies, it’s cheaper to buy in bulk. “You’re stocking your pantry for the long haul without burning through your budget,” she says. Buying beef and poultry in bulk can also help you save money. If you choose to freeze these foods, make sure to eat the food within the proper time frame; generally, beef can be stored in a freezer for up to one year and poultry for up to four months.

10. Not taking advantage of deals and discounts

Supermarkets pull out all the stops to get you to spend more, but many also offer ways for you to save. From manager specials to senior discount days, you’re missing out on big savings when you don’t use coupons or take advantage of sales. “Senior discount days at your local supermarket are like getting a secret membership card that unlocks a percent-off treasure every week,” says Lewis-Parks.