Want To Save Money? Shop Faster

nytimes.com:

You might think that browsing slowly through the store would help you pick out the best products. But our research shows that's not the case.

The shoppers I studied who took the longest, examining packages, stopping at whatever caught their eye, invariably spent more money. They tumbled stray, often unhealthy, items into their baskets, and later, when questioned, couldn't cite a reason for the purchases.

It turns out that making up a precise list beforehand and getting the errand done as quickly as possible is the best way to save money.

Read the whole story: nytimes.com

Comments

[PaceSetter]

Want to save money? Don't shop!

Be Wary Of "Buying Holidays" (cyclically geared towards separating you from your money)
Reduce Media Consumption (ads ads ads - think about what you need, rather than what they want you to want - learn the difference between wants and needs)
Understand that you DON'T need to keep up with the Joneses
Take pride in being thrifty.
Buy locally.
If possible, buy from the manufacturer, grower or artisan.
Make things yourself, instead of buying pre-made.
Slow down and plan ahead.
Eat "in season"
Plant a garden and use your own produce.
Learn to can and preserve.
Eat closer to the bottom of the food chain.

[quindy]

Groceries lists are fabulous provided you don't leave them at home like I do every time I go shopping. On the other hand I am not a great shopper to begin with. My life has not changed one little bit because of the crisis.

[whoknew---]

I wouldn't say that is exactly correct for everyone. Like the earlier posts eat something before you go grocery shopping and then have some kind of game plan like an outline of a list.

If I shop fast there is more of a chance of picking up the wrong item especially if it is in the wrong section and also people generally do not check the actual price if they are rushing through the store. Also if you rush through there is a chance you may forget something that you need that may have not been placed on your grocery list.

You also may not have the opportunity to shop fast because a lot of stores change the way they place their food items in the store on a fairly regular basis. I believe they may do this to confuse the shopper by making them wander around looking for what they need.

[fshrmn]

Half the time, I save money by leaving without buying what I went in there for.

[twisted-european]

Just eat before you shop. Shopping hungry isn't good for your purse. ;-)

[liarsclub75]

For me, it isn't hunger, it's thirst! No more buying grape Gatorade on impulse.

[TheBrizz]

I go to the grocery store literally every day. People think I'm nuts when I tell them that but I think it saves me money, and here's why: I typically decide what I want for dinner that day at work. I stop at the store on the way home, buy exactly what I need for dinner, and walk out the door. It's when I go to the store on big expeditions for multiple days that I end up buying the extras like chips, cookies, ice cream, etc.

[Alvarask]

I agree 100%. It is better to buy everyday if you can fit it into your schedule. Sometimes we do two days in advance.