Tips for saving money on groceries often focus on what to do. This article focuses on what not to do if you want to save money on groceries! So before you put on your ugg boots (my favorite footwear btw!) and head to the grocery store, consider these tips.

1. Never go to the grocery store hungry.

Going to the grocery store hungry can get you into all kinds of trouble. If you go to the grocery store hungry, you’ll likely buy more junk food and other unhealthy and expensive items that you really don’t need. This can make a huge difference not only in your waistline, but in your bank account as well.

2. Never shop without planning first.

When you shop without planning, you end up buying a bunch of stuff, and yet when you get home, you likely don’t have what you really need to make meals for the week. This results in either going to the grocery store multiple times to pick up missed items for recipes or going out to eat. Both things can run into a lot of money and also waste a lot of time.

3. Never buy things that are not on your list unless you realize you really need them.

Your shopping list should be your guide and you should stick to it religiously if you want to stay on a budget. The only exceptions are if you see something you truly need but failed to put on your list. For instance, you might notice eggs and be reminded that you are down to only one or two eggs. In that case, purchasing something not on your list is acceptable, but in all other cases, it is not.

4. Never allow your emotions to dictate what you’ll buy.

Don’t buy food because you’re feeling sad, angry or hurt. Also don’t buy food with the goal of impressing others or causing others discomfort in any way. Check your motives, and if you are buying items with a wrong attitude, then put them back on the shelf.

Your body, wallet, and spirit will be healthier if you shop in an emotionally healthy manner.

5. Never purchase impulse items at the check stand. (Note, preplanning to buy something often found at the checkout stand is fine!)

The biggest problem with the checkout stand is that you are often there for five minutes or longer. During that time, there are several things to tempt you –  magazines, candy, little cookbooks, even handy little non-grocery items like lighters! Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT buy those items unless they were on your list and you specifically planned to buy them prior to going to the store.

6.  Never assume that items on the end cap are a good price.

Grocery store end caps often have legitimate sale items, but not always. Sometimes there are things on the end caps that are either not on sale, or not on sale by much. Other times there are sale items paired up with non-sale items. For instance, there may be pasta sauce on sale, and pasta at a regular price, side by side on the end cap. Therefore, check the price of items on the end cap and compare them with the regular price before deciding whether or not to purchase the items