Coupons, smart phone apps, buying generic, there are a lot of tried and true ways to save money at the grocery store. Consumer expert Amy Davis is revealing some lesser-known methods you can add that will curb your spending and stack your savings.
Pop a breath mint or Tic-Tac in your mouth on your way into the store. A study in the Journal of Consumer Research shows that consumers are more likely to spend more when they're hungry. A mint can hold off your hunger and counteract the enticing smells from the bakery.
Instead of popping into the store when it's convenient for you, think about when it's less expensive. Most store sales start on Wednesdays.
Fresh products like bakery items are more likely to be marked down after 4 p.m. And avoid shopping the first two days of the month. Grocery insiders say some stores raise prices right when government aid checks are issued.
When you grab a cart on the way in, go for the smaller one- but not the basket you carry. Research shows that when you double the size of the shopping cart, you are more likely fill it no matter the size.
When you haul around one of those handheld baskets, research suggests you're more likely to pick up extras like candy and soda to reward yourself.
When you need to restock on more expensive items, check out Flipp.com before you go shopping. You can type in the name of a product you need, Tide, for example, and Flipp pulls up every circular in your area with the current price of Tide
It's an easy way to find the cheapest price of a specific product in any given week.
To avoid impulse purchases, check yourself out. Another study found that impulse purchases for women dropped by 32 percent and about 17 percent for men when they used the self-checkout in stores.