Don't Go Hungry - you'll over buy

Don't go hungry - you've probably heard this one before, and it's worth repeating. Don't go to the grocery store if you're hungry.

Remember, there is food there, and shopping won't fill you up, no matter how much you put in your cart - and you'll tend to pile it high.

Everything will look good to you and you'll want more of it to satisfy your real hunger. Buying more is not the way to save money on groceries. It's the way to create the potential for waste.

Instead, try just the opposite. Go to the store right after you have eaten, and I mean right after you have stuffed yourself good. You probably won't even want to get out of the car and go into the store...there's food in there and that will likely be the last thing on your mind.

If you've really pigged out, just grab that little battery operated gizmo and ride around the store. You'll feel better, have fun, and you'll buy less because those buggers don't carry near as much as a regular grocery cart. How's that for thinking?

Now, if you don't believe that grocery shopping while you're hungry can be a detriment, try going grocery shopping when you're full, and see the difference in your attitude. It will turn around 180 degrees. Nothing will look appealing. You'll wonder why you're even there.

You'll likely have an attitude that screams, "I want to save money on groceries by picking up just a few items, and then get out of here."

On an empty stomach, your mind will seek out all of your favorite foods, and that will most certainly fill up the grocery cart. To avoid this, you can eat first, go with a list and stick to it, or bring a meal plan along so you'll buy what you need, not what simply looks good.

Remember, don't go hungry when you go to the grocery store.

Done with Don't Go Hungry, back to Frugal Shopping