Comments on: Opening the Shopping Floodgates

By: Tennis Fan

Tennis Fan — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:08:36 +0000

I know every time I shop at target there will be at least one unplanned purchase. The solution is to wait and go only when necessary and take a list. This usually means the trip is more expensive (due to quantity) but that also encourages me not to put extra items in a cart. When I am only going in for 1 or 2 items I don’t get a cart or basket, my hands will due. When shopping I never take a cart when a hand basket is adequate. If you have to carry it around the entire store you will think twice about adding more weight.

Stephanie

By: Dawn S

Dawn S — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:42:20 +0000

I find, also, that once you make the decision to break a 20 or to use your debit card, it’s then easier to justify. For instance, I wouldn’t use my debit card for a pack of gum but if I already had a couple items to buy, I probably wouldn’t think twice about it.

By: Sherrie

Sherrie — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:07:38 +0000

Like Marrianne, my home is an hours drive from the BIG stores. If we have made the effort and committed the time and fuel to travel to the city, and something shows up that wasn’t on the list but should have been or that will be on the list AND it is at the right price, we are inclined to add it to the acquisitions of the day. But with six months of practice now, we are getting better at compiling a thorough list.

To combat the eats on the road issue we make a thermos or two of coffee. Have protein snacks in vehicle (beef jerky, sesame snaps). Have hot dog lunch at Costco. ($4.18) If we are still there over supper, it is a fast food choice, unless it is a special occasion and we have already put a fancy dinner on the list. It’s funny home many special occasions my man can make up.

This blog brought back memories of the euphoric shopping bliss of past sprees. Kinda miss that. But I have noticed a new bliss, when the list is completed and we are on our way home before dark. Ahhhh….

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By: Natalie

Natalie — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:24:59 +0000

I always called this breaking the seal. It’s like opening up the seal on a pringles can, you open it and before you know it your tongue hurts from the salt but half the can is gone.

By: Tara C

Tara C — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:02:33 +0000

I go into the grocery store with only a specific amount of cash in my pocket, then if I go over, I have to put something back. I also leave my BF sitting in the car waiting for me so I don’t spend too much time inside and get sucked in. The mall, I have written that off – too many temptations, I don’t go at all any more.

By: Glenn Cooke

Glenn Cooke — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:39:59 +0000

We grow our own organic food, no delivery for us Sort of. We use ’square foot’ gardening to grow a small plot in our backyard. More to keep the kids interested, but we do get quite a bit of food out of it.

And we get most of our meat from local farmers,direct. We have to have a deep freeze to keep it (half a cow doesn’t fit in the top shelf of the fridge). Not only is the meat better quality, but it’s as cheap or cheaper than store bought. And tastes way the heck better.

Which reminds me, I better go empty the sap buckets. Because we also tap a maple tree in our backyard for the sap each year. Get a liter or two of syrup for way too much work. Perhaps surprisingly, it doesn’t taste any better than store bought . But the kids like doing it.

By: Flynnycat

Flynnycat — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:56:47 +0000

I have organic produce delivered to my door every other week. It’s healthy, there’s a good variety, you can go online to substitute something if you don’t want a particular item, and they deliver it right to your door! I can’t really overspend that way. Also, because the produce is fresh and beautiful, I am inspired to do a lot of cooking at home. Saves me money there too.
I love The Organic Box. What a great business idea!

By: Laurie

Laurie — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:54:51 +0000

Oh yeah, store trickery…works well. But I find now that I stick to a cash budget and have a list for all purchases, it happens much less frequently. I also noticed that shopping alone, I can stick to my list relatively easily. But shopping with someone else – for either groceries or other items – it’s so easy to add more to the cart.

By: virginia

virginia — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:27:02 +0000

to M

Don’t feel freaky shopping with a calculator – I always do. I have a strict budget and if I go over the grocery budget I have to take that money from somewhere else. I also have a PC mastercard that I use for groceries only – I am very good, as soon as I get my butt in the door I am on my computer and paying the bill on line. Every couple of months I have enough accumulated points to get $20.00 off my bill – They have not received one single cent of interest from me.

By: Iryssa

Iryssa — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:25:26 +0000

One of the reason we do bulk runs for groceries is that I then have to go to the grocery store less often. Even though some of the items we buy at Costco can be found for the same price elsewhere (many are cheaper, but not all), getting a bunch of them at once means I’m in stores less and have less opportunities to make impulse purchases.

By: Mickmack

Mickmack — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:56:11 +0000

Huh. So this is how I ended up with all those clothes for the kids and I when I only went to pick up some props for an ‘achievement and career’ presentation for kids. Good to know … lol

By: Mo D.

Mo D. — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:37:15 +0000

I’m usually fairly on-target with the food budget, but if something’s on sale, and it’s something we always consume, I’m gonna pick up one or 2 extra (depending on what the item is). Clothes shopping is alway by the list, and I never buy more than I need (probably because I hate shopping so much).

By: dmcgirl

dmcgirl — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:42:31 +0000

This is so true… I always just called it the ZONE… like a freak’n maniac Zone. Once I start at the mall, 10 stores later and huge gouges in my arms from shopping bags, I realize I am doomed.

I even tried a budget at the mall last time, but my daughter and I each went over. The mall is evil. I become Paris Hilton with gobs of money and everything is HOT!

At the grocery store it is easier for me to stick to a list. At the mall, floodgates be damned… NOT.

Tonight I am off to the market and yes, I have looked at the loss leaders, but usually am really good about sticking to them!

By: M

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:49:14 +0000

I find that using a calculator while grocery shopping helps me. I know what my weekly food budget is and if, according to my calculator, I still have room only THEN will I stock up on sale items. It becomes a game of ” how far can I go before I hit my limit”? It tickles me but I do get some stares as I walk the aisles with a calculator.