The deli counter can be an intimidating place. There is often a long line of impatient customers. The ordering process has its own set of unwritten rules and etiquette. For a new or inexperienced shopper, it can be a stressful experience. To make your trip to the deli a little smoother, you should try to…
In the world of social media, a celebrity’s casual comment or a single, candid photo can spark a massive, viral trend. This is especially true when it comes to food. When a famous person shares a weird or unique grocery habit, their millions of followers will often rush to try it for themselves. This has…
Saving money on groceries can feel like an impossible task. However, a few small, consistent changes to your shopping habits can add up to a significant amount of savings over the course of a month. These are not extreme couponing tricks. They are simple, practical hacks that anyone can use to lower their grocery bill…
Most money-saving advice for the grocery store is pretty standard. We all know to make a list and to use coupons. However, the most dedicated frugal shoppers have a set of weird habits that go far beyond the basics. These unconventional strategies may look strange to the average shopper. However, they are a powerful and…
For decades, we were trained to believe that the brand name was a guarantee of quality. We now know that this is not always true. In many cases, a retailer’s store-brand, or private-label, product is just as good, if not better, than its more expensive, brand-name counterpart. In a series of blind taste tests and…
The old retail saying is that “eye level is buy level.” Grocery stores use this principle to place their most profitable, brand-name products right in your line of sight. But for the savvy shopper, the real secret to saving money is to look down. The bottom shelf is where retailers almost always place their own…
The internet is filled with a huge number of “hacks” that promise to help you save money and to shop smarter at the grocery store. While some of this advice is genuinely helpful, many of these viral tips are based on myths, misunderstandings, or are just plain wrong. Following these so-called hacks can often lead…
The grocery cart seems like a very simple and straightforward piece of equipment. It is just a metal basket on wheels. However, the modern shopping cart is a surprisingly well-engineered tool. It has a number of hidden features and design elements that most shoppers have never noticed. These clever details are designed to make your…
A store’s return policy can seem like a simple safety net. If a product does not work out, you can just bring it back for a refund. However, in recent years, retailers have been quietly adding several secret rules and restrictions to their policies. These new rules are designed to make returns more difficult and…
Monday is the day of reckoning at the grocery store. It is the day when employees have to sort through and deal with all the products that did not sell over the busy weekend. While the store is quieter and less crowded, it is often the worst day of the week to buy certain perishable…
Grocery delivery drivers for services like Instacart and Shipt get a uniquely intimate look into the lives of their customers. They are the ones who are picking out your produce and walking your groceries to your door. In a series of anonymous online confessions, these drivers have revealed that they cannot help but form opinions…
Your grocery cart is more than just a collection of food. It is a snapshot of your financial personality. The choices you make in the grocery aisle often reflect your broader attitudes toward money, planning, and self-control. Financial psychologists suggest that your pantry-stocking habits can be a surprisingly accurate indicator of your readiness for retirement.…
Have you ever walked into your favorite grocery store only to realize that the peanut butter is no longer where you expected it? It can be frustrating to search for familiar items after a sudden overnight change. Many shoppers wonder why grocery stores rearrange aisles overnight, especially when it disrupts their usual shopping routine. Understanding…
Have you ever walked into a grocery store, headed to the produce section, and felt a sudden blast of cold air? It’s not your imagination—grocery stores really do pump chilly air over fruits and vegetables. If you’re curious about why this happens, you’re not alone. Many shoppers notice the cold but aren’t sure of the…
For generations, glass was the standard container for a huge number of household staples. It was a sign of quality and purity. Today, however, you will notice that many of those classic glass jars and bottles have been replaced by “shatterproof” plastic packaging. This massive shift, which has happened quietly over the past decade, is…
You walk into a Sprouts or a Fresh Market, and the experience is immediately different from a traditional grocery store. The lighting is softer and the produce is beautifully arranged. The stores are smaller and less crowded. However, you will also notice a major difference at the checkout. These specialty grocers are significantly more expensive…