How can I ensure I don’t spend more than $150 on my weekly grocery trip? I make my list, go to the store, and sometimes I end up spending $140, while other times I overspend at $185. What’s the best way to stick to my budget?
I created a spreadsheet with the amount I make at the bottom. Then I laid out lines for the necessities. Rent or mortgage, power (and other utilities), phone, transportation, and food. Then I decide how much I want to preserve from what’s left and how much to use for things like going out for drinks after work.
Yes, I do using a calculator. To the closest thing to taxes, I round everything to the next dollar. As soon as I’ve crossed off everything on my list that is prioritized and I discover that it’s about $10 over my maximum, I stop. Items that are not checked off but are not urgently needed are put off until the next shopping trip.
Using curbside pickup really helps me a lot with this. You can easily see your total, adjust your items, compare prices, and check ingredients without leaving your home. Additionally, it pretty much eliminates impulse buying. Maybe you should try this.
Or maybe you should visit stores which have a scanner at every isle, to scan your items as you put then in your cart. This way, you start with what’s on your priority Wishlist, move around your budget easily and most importantly stick to it.