Well, they are exactly evil, I mean they are actually a modern marvel. Can you imagine telling someone a couple hundred years ago that you could someday go to one store and it would have every food from everywhere in the world? Unfortunately, this is also what makes them a trap. Heres a question to ask yourself: how do I shop?

Until recently I shopped by the “instinctive food gathering principle” which as it turns out, really means “spend tons of money on crap I probably dont need just because it sounds good.” It doesn’t help that they arrange things specifically to mess with you… in any case I would go to the store for toilet paper and come back with some drinks, chips, mens health, some fruit, a ribeye, cottage cheese (because I somehow always convince myself that I am out, even though I never am), ice cream or pizza, and who knows what else. Except toilet paper. I’d almost swear there are voices whispering in my ear to buy crap I don’t need. Anyway Ive come up with a list of things that has drastically reduced spending and the amount of time I spend in the store.

1) Make a dang grocery list. It takes two minutes, do it! I know you are saying “uh Jesse I can remember what I need” and you are probably right, but not only will it help you get what you do need but because it gives you direction you will be less inclined to pick up other random things.

2) Don’t wait until you are out of things to go to the store. A lot of times this creates a huge rush situations. A great example is needing milk in the morning to eat your cereal. When you start to get low on things, make your list and go…you’ll know exactly what you need and there won’t be any guessing involved.

3) Stick to one store if you can so that you can go directly to the aisles you need to go to. Wandering up and down the aisles is frustrating and leads to picking up more than you need.

4) Use coupons. I know, I get pictures in my head of my grandma cutting out coupons medituculously for 2 hours too…but really you can save a lot of money. And some places like King Soopers will give you coupons based on stuff you just bought with your receipt. nice-a!

5) Plan out some meals in advance. If you don’t feel like eating your planned meal you can always change it.

6) Eat healthy. As it turns out if you eat healthy stuff you can eat as cheaply as just getting junk. I eat kashi for breakfast with milk, then a mid morning protein shake, then a lean pocket for lunch, then some fruit and a pb&j sandwhich, some chicken for dinner and a post workout protein shake. All of that together can cost less than $5/day. Of course I dont always eat like that but its a good example.

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