Making sure you eat healthy as well as frugal

It is always in the back of our minds when we are out shopping. Should I really buy these treats or should I find some healthy alternative. And how often does the tasty treat win? Most of the time? Well, we need to change that.

I know that you need to treat yourself and not take away everything that you love. Well, you don't have to. There are ways of still have your treats but not incurring the thousand calories that usually follows a treat spurge. Buy portion control snacks or buy your snack in the smallest size it comes in so that you don't have the temptation to go all out.

Race through the store getting only what you need

We have all heard why grocery stores have that catchy music in the stores. When you are into the music, you become less focus and more apt to buy something you didn't intend to buy when you entered their store. Well, it is time to say "NO" to that tactic.

I have noticed people are know coming up with their own strategy to counteract that. More enough now, people have their own mp3 players on in the store and they seem more focused on their goals. I am planning to make my own shopping playlist list to beat this subtle manipulative music that has worked on me for years.

Don't buy to excess

Suburban America has forgotten a style of shopping that has been helping both urban america and a great deal of Europe conserve on groceries and stay in shape. I am talking about walking to the store and just getting what you need for the next few days not for the extended future. I am well aware that this is not possible with the way that most of american cities are set up but I have a few ideas.

Park at a central location a few blocks away from the grocery store where you also have some business to go to (i.e. bookstore, gym, etc) and use that to help limit what you get. This will also help you conserve on gas and stop fighting people for parking spots in crowded areas. It seems like a win all around in my book.

Stick to the list

I know this is all but common sense but sticking to it is the hard part. With times as tough as these this is necessary but this should be a habit that we follow anyway. If you only get what you need other then what you are crazing at that minute, you will save a great deal of money.

Now, this will take a good deal of self-control especially if you also go to the store without recently eating a meal. With this double whammy, things that have never seemed appealing will feel like they are a must buy. So plan ahead and fight the good fight, plan your weekly food schedule out and be smart.

Why can't I find anything...

Have you noticed that if you ever go to another store then the one you are used to, everything is in the wrong place. I am not even talking another companies store, it could be the same companies store to your usual one and be next store and they will decide to put the yogurts right next to the makeup for some reason.

I just love the fact that no matter what, I will be wandering the aisles of some random store because I could do some quick shopping on the way home from work instead of going to the same store that I have for a decade. They should create some standardized format and then this problem would cease to exist. Get right on that, grocery stores, for all of us.

Grocery Store Quirks

As I have been shopping recently, I have noticed that there are a few unique things about grocery stores. There are little quirks that most people overlook on a daily basis but they are seeming stand out to me at this time.

Have you ever been walking through your store and seen the offers for items like "Buy 10 items for just 10 dollars?" In some stores, you have to buy all of the 10 items to get the one dollar an item price tag, but in other stores you are just limited to 10. Now, it would be nice if they went to a standardized system because I am always nervous when I can't decide whether I can to buy way too many of an item or risk the chance that I am not going to get the good deal.

Also, have you noticed that prices on milk vary more then the price of gasoline. I really believe that one week it will be $1.50 a gallon and then following week it will be close to $4 dollars. What causes the fluctuation in the price of milk? Is there a time of the year where the cows produce more milk or less? It is just odd for the price to fluctuate on something that has a pretty constant need and is produced in your state.

There are many more things I have noticed in the stores but I will save those for another post. Have a good day and enjoy your shopping.

Though this is a little off topic, I wanted to share my genius idea

Well, it’s that time of year again, time for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, the two busiest days of my life. One day I spent cooking and eating the greatest food on Earth, then I have a midday nap and I get ready to stand out in the cold so that I can get amazing shopping deals. Though, I have figure out a way to even get more off on my Black Friday sales. My master plan this year is to get gift certificates that at a discount on sites like citydeals or others and then use them for payment on my items. This is what I call a double bonus, a genius move on my part! With the money you have save, you will be able to get nicer items while doing your regular shopping. Just an idea!