The way we shop has a big impact on how we eat, how much we spend, and how much we waste. When we make simple adjustments to our shopping habits, we can save time, money, and frustration—while also making it easier to stick to our goals, whether that’s healthier meals, less food waste, or staying within a budget.
Let’s talk about grocery shopping—a task we all do, but one that can go off the rails pretty quickly. Maybe you’ve walked into the store for milk and bread, only to walk out with a cart full of stuff you didn’t need. Or maybe you’ve spent way more than planned and still don’t have anything for dinner.
Does this sound familiar?
I know! I've been there. We've all been there. Here’s the thing: grocery shopping mistakes are super common, and they don’t just cost you money—they can also waste time, create stress, and make it harder to stick to those healthy eating habits that you've been trying so hard to keep. But the good news? These mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Below, I provide 8 common grocery shopping mistakes and what you can do (a little) differently to save money, reduce waste, and feel more in control of your shopping and meals.
This is probably the most common mistake. You go to the store thinking you’ll just "wing it," but that usually ends in chaos. You forget the one thing you really needed, and instead, you grab a bunch of random items you don’t.
I even know how common this mistake is and I STILL go into the store thinking that somehow I will defeat the grocery store trap and successfully get in and get out. Just this morning I went into our co-op (without a list) just for some coffee and came out with coffee, two different kinds of rice, olives, and stuffed grape leaves.
The fix to mistake #1 is pretty simple: Take five minutes before you leave the house to make one. Even making sure that you have a few key items jotted down can help keep you on task. And you'll get bonus points if you plan out a few meals for the week first. This, too, can help keep you focused and cut down on the tendency to buy things you don't need or can't use.
Here’s a truth bomb: If you shop hungry, everything looks good. That bag of chips you’d usually skip? Into the cart they go. That fancy cheese you’ve never tried, but which looks mouthwatering with an empty stomach? Why not! Not only do you buy more, you end up with items that you don't typically buy and might not actually want (or need).
This fix is also pretty simple: Eat something. Anything. A meal or even a small snack (ideally one with a little protein or healthy fat for staying power) will make a huge difference. Shopping on a full stomach keeps you from making impulse buys that you’ll likely regret later.
Now, this one’s a little more tricky because not shopping sales can mean missing out on savings—but the opposite can also be true (which I’ll get to later in mistake #4). If you don’t take advantage of deals on things you actually need, you’re leaving money on the table. The key here is sticking to sales on things that are on your list or are frequently in use at home. Stocking up on a cereal that you've tried and don't like (or never tried before) doesn't do you much good.
Spend a few minutes checking your store’s app or website for deals on items you’re already planning to buy. And if you see something on sale that’s versatile, like pasta or frozen veggies, consider stocking up. But if you see sales on your least favorite yogurt, skip it. It's not money saved.
On the flip side, shopping sales *just because something is on sale* can backfire. Like I said above, if you see a great deal on five boxes of cereal, but nobody in your family even eats it, that's not a sale worth indulging. Those boxes will just taking up space in your pantry until you eventually throw them out (might as well burn those dollars).
Before you buy, especially if it's a sale on an item that's not on your list, ssk yourself two questions:
If the answer to either of those questions is "No", then skip it.
"A deal isn't really a deal if the thing just ends up in the trash."
We’ve all been there: You’re feeling motivated, so you fill your cart with fresh fruits and veggies. But you didn't plan well - or you did plan, but life threw you a couple of fast balls - and by mid week, half of the foods are wilted or spoiled. You're left to toss it, and you feel guilty doing so.
Be realistic. To the best of your ability, buy only what you know you’ll eat in the next few days (especially if getting back to the store for more apples can easily fit into your schedule). And if you realize you won’t get to something, prep or freeze it before it goes bad.
Stores are *really* good at getting you to spend more. End-cap displays, "buy one, get one free" deals, and brightly packaged items are all designed to tempt you. And you are not their only target - so are your kids. The next time you go to the grocery store, look closely at the cereal boxes and brands that are at eye level for kids sitting in a cart. Then look at the boxes on the very top and very bottom shelves.
The placement of these cereal boxes is not coincidental.
The first step is to be aware that marketing is happening all over the store. The external aisles - fresh fruits and veggies, dairy, and meat counters - are not immune. Sales there are designed to move product and products that the store needs to get out of their store rooms. Second tip: Stick to your list. Check sales, yes, but when something not on your list catches your eye and ask yourself: Do I need this, or is it just tempting me?
Also, don’t assume end-cap items are on sale—they’re often full price.
Here’s a sneaky mistake: You grab the bigger package without looking more closely because you think it’s the better deal, but that’s not always true. The price on the shelf might say $4.99, but the smaller size might actually be cheaper per ounce. And sometimes the opposite is true. Last week, the "Giant" boxes of Cheerios were no better per unit price than the smallest boxes, which were on sale.
Check them. Plain and simple. No matter what the product is - even if it's on sale - look at the unit price. This is usually listed in small print in a corner of the shelf tag. It will help you figure out what’s truly the best value.
This will require a little quick math on your part. Thankfully we all carry powerful computers in our pockets.
The healthiest options—like fresh produce, dairy, and proteins—are usually found along the outer edges of the store. But if you rush straight to the middle aisles for snacks and packaged foods, you’re missing out on the good stuff. Plus, starting the center and filling your cart there leaves little room for those items around the outside of the store.
Although stores encourage you head to the fresh foods first, rather than zigzagging through the aisles, move around the entire perimeter first. Once you’ve got the essentials, then zigzag your way through those inner aisles for pantry staples.
These mistakes might sound small, but over time, they can really add up. Remember, being aware of and changing them isn’t about being perfect—it’s about becoming a little more intentional with each shop. With a plan, a list, and a few smart strategies, you can shop with confidence, save money, and bring home food your family will actually eat (and hopefully enjoy!).
And once you master the shopping process, you can turn your attention to other aspects of cooking, like discovering your food personality, thinking about how you structure mealtimes (not just what you're going to serve), or expanding your family's diet.
So, which of these mistakes have you made? (I know I’ve been guilty of a few!) Let me know in the comments. And if you found this helpful, share it with a friend or save it for your next grocery trip.
Happy shopping!
