8 Typical mistakes we make when we go shopping in supermarkets or stores

Going shopping is an art, especially if you are not practiced and are prone to fall into certain tricks that lead to a waste of time and money. Fortunately, with just a few changes in attitude, we managed to get our purchases right, overcome obstacles that many consumers face, and still save a few potentially useful bucks in emergency situations.

This article from awesome.club it is based on the most common mistakes made by those who go shopping and also on the problems for the consumer caused by each one of them.

Several companies decide to offer free samples of certain products to encourage purchases and improve consumers’ experience. In several cases, the practice generates the desire to acquire an item that the person does not need, stimulating the impulse decision. The trick works especially with those who are not used to planning their own purchases.

If you find that the budget never makes it to the end of the month, maybe it’s not just because you’re buying superfluous things, but also because you buy frequently.

It is best to consider the idea of ​​weekly or monthly shopping, depending on the products you usually consume on a daily basis. Going grocery shopping once a week tends to keep certain foods from losing their sell-by date. Monthly purchases are perfect for saving on travel and fuel.

Of course, buying food, hygiene products and medicines is fundamental to our lives. But when you acquire an item just because you want to own it, and the practice becomes habitual, we can consider that purchases are made on impulse. This is what usually happens, for example, when we leave on an empty stomach, as hunger is capable of making us succumb to the appetizing sweets available at the supermarket checkout. A good way to avoid this situation is to go shopping after eating.

Another option is to learn to plan your purchases in order to avoid going back to the store because you “forgot something”. After all, it’s easy to end up with more product than you originally planned. We recommend putting together our own menu and making a shopping list that allows us to prioritize essential products, such as food and cleaning items.

Products packaged in large quantities usually give the feeling of savings. However, such items may come with built-in costs, in addition to the risk of contributing to the waste of perishable food. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt other measures that actually save more time and money, including buying in bulk and considering taking small packages home.

In the case of fruits and vegetables, many people tend to get carried away by their appearance, thinking that the “prettier” ones are of better quality. However, for these products, in addition to appearance, color, smell, texture and size must be taken into account.

Not to mention that several establishments usually polish the fruits to make them look more appetizing. So, before buying one of them just for the perfect and impeccable look, the ideal is to feel and smell the food to attest to its quality.

Certain types of packaging are capable of preserving some foods, such as vacuum packaging, used for meat and fruit. However, others have drawbacks, such as the presence of microorganisms that can alter the nutrients of the products. This is something observed notably when the product is not kept in refrigerators or the temperature is not adequately controlled.

Furthermore, the excessive use of plastic packaging causes a great environmental impact. A good alternative to reducing single-use plastics is to buy in bulk. Among the various advantages of this practice are control over the desired quantity of the product and the greater possibility of finding fresher fruits and vegetables, checking the quality of each item at a glance.

A study indicated that decisions made on impulse are related to fatigue resulting from different activities carried out throughout the day.

In the case of shopping, this can become a problem when we tend to go to the supermarket always at the end of the day or week, when there are more people circulating and long queues at checkouts. Shopping in the morning can help reduce the time spent in the store and avoid the temptations displayed in the windows.

Depending on the country, there are rules that regulate the use of plastic bags in supermarkets to prevent the accumulation of waste that contaminates the environment. Precisely for this reason, many establishments charge when customers need bags. By using your own fabric bags or other materials, you not only help in the care of nature, but also save a few pennies.

What do you usually do to get it right when shopping? How do you balance needs and wants in order to avoid unnecessary expenses? Tell in a comment!