Most money-saving advice for the grocery store is pretty standard. We all know to make a list and to use coupons. However, the most dedicated frugal shoppers have a set of weird habits that go far beyond the basics. These unconventional strategies may look strange to the average shopper. However, they are a powerful and effective way to save a surprising amount of money on your grocery bill. Here are ten of these weird but effective habits.
1. Using a Calculator While You Shop
A truly dedicated saver will walk through the aisles with a calculator in their hand or open on their phone. They will add up the price of each item as they place it in their cart. This habit keeps them constantly aware of their running total. It ensures that there are no surprises at the checkout. It also forces them to make more conscious decisions about what they are buying.
2. Only Buying What’s in the Weekly Flyer
This is a very disciplined and weird-looking habit. The shopper will walk into the store with only the weekly sales flyer in their hand. They will then buy only the items that are featured on the front and back pages of that ad, which are the store’s best “loss leader” deals. Their shopping cart will have a strange mix of items, but it will be a cart filled with the absolute best bargains of the week.
3. Making Multiple, Small Trips for Deals
Instead of doing one big weekly shop, some extreme savers will visit the store three or four times a week. They will only go in to buy one or two specific items that are on a deep discount. This strategy requires a lot of time and effort. However, it ensures that their pantry is stocked entirely with items that were purchased at their absolute lowest price.
4. Always Asking for a Rain Check
When a hot sale item is out of stock, most shoppers will just leave disappointed. A weird but smart shopper, however, will always go to the customer service desk. They will ask for a “rain check.” This is a voucher that allows them to buy the item at its sale price at a later date. This simple habit ensures that they never miss a great deal due to low inventory.
5. Buying the “Ugly” Produce
Most shoppers will dig through a pile of apples to find the perfect, blemish-free one. A frugal shopper will do the opposite. They will actively seek out the slightly bruised or misshapen “ugly” produce. They know that you can often ask an employee in the produce department for a discount on these cosmetically imperfect but perfectly edible items.
6. Taking Pictures of the Shelves
A shopper who is taking pictures of the shelves might look like they are a corporate spy. In reality, they are likely just a very savvy bargain hunter. They are using an app to compare their local store’s prices to the prices at other retailers. This allows them to ensure they are getting the absolute best deal on every single item.
7. Knowing the Markdown Schedule by Heart
The most dedicated savers have a detailed mental map of the store’s markdown schedule. They know that the meat department marks down its items on Monday mornings. They know that the bakery clearance happens on Tuesdays. This weirdly specific knowledge allows them to time their shopping trips perfectly to get first dibs on the best clearance deals.
8. Leaving Their Cart at the Checkout
This is a very extreme but effective tactic. If the final total at the register is higher than their budget, a truly disciplined shopper will not hesitate to simply leave the entire cart of groceries behind. This level of commitment to a budget is rare, but it is a powerful way to avoid overspending.
9. Never Being Ashamed of a WIC or EBT Transaction
Some people feel a sense of shame when they use government assistance programs like WIC or EBT. A savvy and confident shopper, however, knows that these are valuable and important programs. They will not be embarrassed. They will use their benefits proudly. They know that this is a smart and responsible way to feed their family.
10. Going Through the Self-Checkout Twice
If a store has a limit on a sale item, like “limit two per customer,” an extreme couponer will sometimes break their order into two separate transactions. They will go through the self-checkout line once, buy two of the item, and then get back in line to buy two more. This is a strange and time-consuming habit, but it is a way to get around the store’s limits.
The Frugal Mindset
These weird habits are all a sign of a single, powerful mindset. They are the actions of a person who has decided to take complete control of their grocery budget. They are not willing to be a passive victim of the store’s marketing tricks. While these habits may look strange to the outside observer, they are a masterclass in how to be a truly disciplined and intentional shopper. They are the weird and wonderful path to real savings.
What is the weirdest habit you have that helps you save money at the grocery store? Let us know in the comments!
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