good. The smells coming from the deli can also be a temptation when your belly is grumbling.
15. Shop to your own beat. Studies have indicated that stores play music with a slow beat to slow customers down so they will spend more time in each aisle. If you can’ t tune out the music, bring your own upbeat tunes!
16. Use a smaller cart. If your store has a variety of shopping cart sizes, opt for the smallest. A larger cart only tempts you to buy more because it gives you the false impression that you haven’ t put as much in the cart. Avoid the hand-held baskets, however. These small baskets make you more likely to buy a higher priced item or smaller impulse buys simply because they fit in the basket and are easier to carry.
17. Search the shelves. Many companies pay to have their products placed on the shelf at eye level. Search the shelves for the best deal.
18. Use the self check-out. If your store offers a self check-out aisle, use it. You are less likely to make last minute impulse buys if you are busy scanning your purchases instead of staring at the candy and other merchandise at the check-out aisle.
19. Slice and dice. Packaged or single-serving products are often priced higher than the whole item. Buy the block cheese, the whole chicken, or the entire watermelon and do your own slicing. Buy freezer bags and containers to store what you may not use right away.
20. If you use herbs, grow your own instead of buying the expensive bundles at the grocery store. Not only will they be fresher, you won’ t waste any, and you can end up saving hundreds of dollars a year if you frequently use herbs in your cooking. You don’ t need a garden to grow herbs. Simply place them near your kitchen window and keep them handy all year long. They will also make your kitchen smell wonderful!