Comments on: How Much Money Should You Take When You Go Shopping?

By: TStrump

TStrump — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:40:55 +0000

I carry very little cash and usually use my credit card.
Lately, I’ve been leaving it at home so that I don’t spend so much.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:13:32 +0000

I don’t have a set dollar amount, it’s hard to determine that. If I know I am paying in cash, I try to take the amount necessary to buy my item making sure I don’t spend more. Of course I have been in Borders and Best Buy before when that one purchase turned into 3 using CC, ha.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:22:14 +0000

Great tip, DDFD. That’s what I prefer to do. Have a list – get in and get out.

By: Manshu

Manshu — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:03:01 +0000

Like you I carry a little bit of cash and all my cards. The way I approach this is by going for grocery not more than once a week.

It is much easier to control your temptations if you dont go to the store at all, rather than trying to control them once you are inside the store.

By: DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad

DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:38:37 +0000

These recommendations are solid– I would add “Shopping with a Mission”. Know what you need– go in, get it, and get out. This way you don’t fall into the traps the retailer lays for you– impulse buys.

By: Andy @ Retire at 40

Andy @ Retire at 40 — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:15:06 +0000

I usually take a list with me, or what I actually need is so small (either 2 or 3 items) that I don’t need one. Tonight I went on the way home from work and got cat food and milk, which is exactly what I went in there for. I knew the cat-food was on special and yes, I do need it, I have a cat.

By: Grant Baldwin

Grant Baldwin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:08:01 +0000

The first time you go shopping with a set budgeted amount may feel like shooting from the hip, but it will get easier.

We’ve had a set budget amount in our “grocery envelope” and although it took a few weeks of trial and error, we figured out what works for us. We only take cash for the simple fact that if I walk in with $100 in cash, I’m only going to leave with $100 of product…otherwise, we’ve got bigger issues…as is criminal ones!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:50:21 +0000

Miranda: It’s faster and easier doing grocery shopping from a list as well – I move through the aisles only grabbing what’s on the list instead of scanning every item as I walk by.