The big supermarket chains spend millions of dollars on research each year in finding ways to make the unsuspecting consumer part with more of his or her hard earned money than intended when doing the shopping.

There are many methods involved such as placing impulse buys such as sweets, gum and newspapers and magazines just by the cash registers, clever design and store layouts which make the shopper walk past a host of tempting goods and offers, placing the most profitable lines on shelves at eye level.

Other methods include placing cheap “on sale” items at the entrance to the store then using similar signs and slogans on other products in the store which are not actually “on sale”. The consumers mind has registered the particular signage as he enters the store with sale or cheap and therefore when he/she sees similar elsewhere the mind associates the sign with cheap. You may also find the same item at different locations in the store at different prices.

Most people go to the supermarket without a shopping list and therefore they become impulse buyers, picking things off the shelves which are attractive to the eye and appeal to the mind without any thought if the purchase is really necessary. Plan to get in and out of the supermarket as quickly as possible, the more time one spends inside is directly proportional to the amount of money one spends.

If you are working to a budget or just do not want to spend more than you should then it really is imperative that you plan ahead. Make a weekly meal plan, list all the ingredients you will need to make these meals and then go and buy these items, and only these items, from your local store.

Besides saving money advanced shopping planning will also save you precious time. Who really enjoys aimlessly wandering around a supermarket when they know there are more important and enjoyable things to be doing? Although supermarkets are renowned for constantly changing the location of items try and make a map of your local store. Get to know where the main items you use frequently are located. When you need to buy this item or items again you can enter the store and go directly to the location, pick up your item and then proceed directly to the cash register and be on your way in no time. Do not be tempted to buy anything else though otherwise all your planning will have been wasted.

The hour of the day you do your shopping can also have a bearing on how much your bill will be. If you can do your shopping in the late afternoon or early evening or just before closing time you may be able to take advantage of marked down prices on some items of up to 50%-75%. Again you could do some reconnaissance of your local store before you plan to shop to note the times that reduced prices appear on goods.

I hope that you can use some of the above tips and that you manage to save some money on your next shopping trip.

Peter S. Kelly likes to be wise with his money and has written some articles about best pensions tips and you can find out more information by visiting http://www.bestpensionsinfo.com

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