34 Genius Grocery Shopping Hacks

Put your bags in the trunk when you take them out of the car. This makes carrying them home easier.

Store clerks often place name brand, expensive items at eye level to boost sales. Look down; you might find a cheaper store brand of the same item.

Do not shop when you are hungry. This cuts down on impulse buys. A full stomach stops you from buying as many things.

Take a picture of your fridge and pantry before you go shopping. This way, you know what you already have.

Some foods spoil fast, but others last longer than you think. Check this chart if you doubt it. Buy only what you can use before it spoils.

Leaving the kids at home when you shop helps keep things relaxed. Grocery shopping can be dull for adults. Take your time and focus on your list.

Know exactly what you need. This stops you from walking down aisles for things you do not require, even if your stomach pushes you.

A store flyer featuring something does not mean it is on sale or a good deal. The store just wants you to buy it.

Sales might not always mean the best deal. Before buying 10 cans of tuna for $10, check if individual cans cost more than 85 cents each.

Misters spray produce to look pretty, but they make food heavier and cause faster rot. Shake that lettuce well before bagging it.

Eighty percent of shoppers buy the same items every time. Check your receipt or list for items you buy often. This lets you check if they are on sale and buy in bulk when they are.

Do not forget to buy lunch items. Bringing your own lunch to school or work saves money compared to eating out daily.

When onions go on sale, buy them. Get cheap pantyhose to store them. This keeps onions edible for eight months. Tie a knot between each and hang them in the pantry.

Check which produce items are in season. These items cost less than out-of-season produce.

Visit the 99 cent store if you want to save cash. You can save money there. Some items, like meat, require common sense before cutting corners. These stores offer good deals on produce and condiments.

Read sale signs carefully before buying something. Sales often apply to one brand or specific situations. Do not buy five items just for the sale.

Plan your meals ahead of time to save grocery money. Knowing your weekly meals lets you buy only what you need.

Cheeses look great at the counter, but you find them cheaper in the cheese aisle. You get savings even if the packaging isn't fancy.

Stores sometimes label 'fresh' items as 'previously frozen' in small print. Thaw them yourself. You might buy the same product for 40% less in the frozen section.

Fresh bread often uses open paper bags. This makes it go stale fast. Put the bread in an airtight bag right away to keep it fresh.

People buy more when stores are crowded. The subconscious makes you fit in with the group. Do not let this happen to you.

Check Out Lozo.com is a cool little website.This site lets you list your groceries. It finds coupons for items that are on sale.

If your tap water tastes like the Santa Monica pier, don't waste money on bottled water. Buy a water filter and a reusable bottle; it saves money long term.

Research shows you can regrow food from scraps. Letting your groceries rejuvenate saves you cash.

Buying fresh herbs at the store costs as much as buying the whole plant. Start your own herb garden instead.

Cereal covers use cartoons and bright colors. This shows who they target: your kids. Leave the kids at home when you shop.

Clipping coupons works, even if it seems old school. If Sunday coupon ads overwhelm you, pick the flyer for your main store and quickly scan it. You can find coupons online now.

Lists turn chaotic without strict focus. Don't add items to your cart unless you have a real reason, like needing it for a specific meal.

Grocery stores play slow music. This music slows you down, making you buy 29% more. Use your own headphones; play upbeat music and move fast through the aisles.

Many stores sell gift cards online for less than their face value. Check your favorite grocery store. Buy some gift cards and use them for shopping.

Before the register, check the chips aisle. Remove items you don't need privately. Some stores shrink checkout aisles to stop this.

Do not pick up the $20 cat litter bag just to avoid a trip to another store. You will likely pay more for non-food items at the grocery store than you would almost anywhere else.

If you keep buying a specific magazine, subscribe to it. This saves you money over time.

Grocery stores rarely offer the best milk prices. Convenience stores or drug stores sell milk cheaper, sometimes up to 50 cents a gallon.