How to Shop Smarter and Save More Every Week

Sarah Brumley

Ever walked into the grocery store for just a few things and somehow walked out with a receipt that made your jaw drop? You’re not alone! Grocery stores are designed to make you spend more, but today, I’m giving you the tools to shop smarter, stay on budget, and avoid impulse buys—all without sacrificing the meals you love. If you’re ready to take control of your grocery spending, stick with me—this episode is for you!

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Pantry Secrets: How to Shop Smarter and Save More Every Week

Welcome back to the Financial Fix Up Podcast! I’m Sarah Brumley, and if you’ve ever stood at checkout wondering, How did I spend this much?—then today’s episode is going to be a game-changer for you.

We’re diving into smart grocery shopping strategies—from meal planning and making a solid shopping list to sticking to your budget in the store.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a step-by-step plan to cut your grocery bill, avoid impulse purchases, and shop with confidence. Sound good? Let’s get to it!

Step 1: Plan Before You Shop

One of the best ways to save money and avoid impulse purchases is to go into the store with a solid plan. Without one, it’s way too easy to get distracted by flashy sale signs, end up with five boxes of snacks, and still have no idea what’s for dinner. (Been there!)

But when you take a few minutes to plan ahead, you’ll shop with confidence, spend less, and avoid the stress of last-minute meal decisions.

So, how do we do this?

Meal Plan First

This is your starting point. Before making your list, take a few minutes to decide what meals you’ll be making this week.

Write down 3–5 dinner ideas based on what your family actually likes to eat.
Keep it simple and realistic. If you know you have a busy week ahead, plan for quick meals instead of something complicated that requires five different specialty ingredients.

This small step ensures that you’re buying only what you need—not what looks good in the moment.

(And trust me, everything looks good when you shop hungry!)

Take Inventory

Now that you know what meals you’re making, it’s time to check what you already have at home.

Look through your fridge, freezer, and pantry.
Are there ingredients you can use for this week’s meals?
Are you running low on any staples like milk, eggs, bread, or rice?

This is a huge money-saver because it stops you from buying duplicates or letting food go to waste.

(How many times have you bought another bottle of ketchup, only to find two already sitting in the back of the fridge?)

Write a Shopping List

Once you know what you need, write your list—and organize it by store section.

Produce: Fruits, veggies, fresh herbs
Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt
Meat & Protein: Chicken, beef, beans
Pantry Staples: Rice, pasta, canned goods
Frozen Foods: Berries, veggies, easy meals
Household/Toiletries: Paper towels, soap, cat food (because Milly demands it!)

Why organize it like this? Because it saves time in the store and keeps you from wandering into “danger zones.”

(You know, the aisles where snacks and cookies magically jump into your cart!)

Set a Budget

And finally, and this part is so important – before heading to the store, decide how much you’re willing and able to spend.

If you’re working with a tight grocery budget, write down a max amount and track costs as you shop.
If you’re using cash, bring only what you need—this helps curb impulse purchases!
If you’re shopping online, add everything to your cart and check the total before you hit checkout.

Knowing your budget before you step into the store keeps you from overspending on things you don’t really need.

(And let’s be honest, we all know how tempting that bakery section can be!)

Step 2: Stick to the Plan at the Store

Alright, you’ve done the hard part—you’ve made a meal plan, checked your pantry, and created a shopping list. Now, it’s time for the real challenge: sticking to the plan once you’re in the store.

Because let’s be honest, the grocery store is designed to make you spend more.

Ever notice how:

The essentials—milk, eggs, bread—are all the way in the back? (So you have to pass 20 aisles of tempting treats to get there!)
That seasonal display of chocolates or cookies magically appears right when you walk in?
The checkout line is filled with impulse purchases—candy, gum, drinks—because they know you’re tired and vulnerable?

Yeah… it’s all on purpose. But don’t worry—I’ve got a few tricks to help you stay on track!

Step 1: Avoid Impulse Buys

Before tossing anything extra into your cart, pause and ask yourself:

Do I really need this?
Will I actually use it this week?
Does this fit into my meal plan?

If the answer is no, put it back.

(Yes, even if it’s on sale. Even if it’s your favorite snack. Even if it’s calling your name from the shelf!)

Impulse buys add up fast—even just grabbing an extra $10 worth of “fun snacks” each week adds up to $520 per year! That’s money you could put toward paying off debt, a fun family outing, or anything else that actually matters to you.

Step 2: Watch Out for Misleading Sales

You know those big, bright sale signs that make you feel like you’re saving tons of money?

Yeah… they’re not always what they seem.

BOGO (“Buy One, Get One Free”)—If you weren’t planning to buy one, do you really need two?
“10 for $10” Deals—Do you actually need ten? Or are they hoping you’ll grab more than necessary?
Giant Family Packs—Check the price per unit before assuming it’s a better deal!

Stores love using psychology to make us feel like we’re saving, but the best way to know for sure is to check the unit price—that little number on the shelf tag that tells you the cost per ounce, pound, or item.

(It’s like a secret weapon against sneaky marketing tactics!)

Step 3: Skip the Aisles That Don’t Have What You Need

Have you ever wandered into an aisle “just to look”… and suddenly you’re leaving with three things you didn’t plan to buy?

(Guilty!)

The easiest way to avoid temptation? Only go to the aisles that have items on your list.

Need cereal? Grab it, but don’t browse the snack aisle “just in case.”
Need pasta? Walk past the cookies without making eye contact.
Need milk? Head straight there—don’t stop for the bakery samples along the way!

The less time you spend browsing, the less likely you are to overspend.

Step 4: Stick to Your Budget & Track Your Spending

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to overspend if you’re not keeping track.

Here’s how to stay accountable:

Use a calculator as you shop—round up prices to keep a running total.
Bring cash instead of a card—once it’s gone, it’s gone!
Use grocery pickup or delivery—this keeps you from impulse shopping altogether.

(Bonus: You also avoid dragging tired kids through the store while dodging the candy aisle meltdown!)

If Impulse Shopping is a Struggle… Try These Hacks!

If you find yourself constantly grabbing extra things, try these game-changing strategies:

Try Grocery Pickup or Delivery

No walking through aisles = no temptation!
You see your total as you go, so there are no surprises at checkout.
You avoid marketing tricks that make you spend more.

Use Cash-Only Shopping

If you bring only what you plan to spend, you literally can’t overspend.
This forces you to stick to your list and prioritize needs over wants.

Track Your Total in Real Time

Keep a running tally on your phone or calculator.
This keeps you aware of your spending instead of guessing at the checkout.

The Goal: A Cart Full of Smart Choices (Not Just Snacks!)

The goal here isn’t to make grocery shopping miserable—it’s to help you shop intentionally so you can buy what you actually need without feeling guilty later.

So next time you hit the store, remember these steps:

Stick to your list
Watch for sneaky sales tactics
Skip aisles that don’t serve your budget
Keep track of what you’re spending

Because when you shop with intention, you spend smarter—and that means more money for what really matters!

How Will You Shop Smarter and Save More This Week?

And there you have it—your two-step game plan for shopping smarter, spending less, and making every grocery trip a win. So just to recap, before you shop—make a meal plan, check what you already have, write a list, and set your budget. And once you’re in the store, stick to the list, avoid impulse buys, and keep track of your spending. These small steps can make a huge difference!

Your challenge this week: Try planning just three meals before your next grocery trip and making a list based on what you already have. Then, when you’re in the store, challenge yourself to skip at least one aisle that doesn’t have anything on your list. See how much it helps!

The goal here isn’t to make grocery shopping stressful—it’s to make sure your money is working for you instead of disappearing into impulse purchases.

And remember—the smallest changes can lead to big savings. Even if you start with just one of these strategies, you’ll see the difference in your budget.