One comment about my grocery receipts changed my whole system
My coworker Sarah glanced at my weekly haul last month and said 'you pay full price for everything, huh?' I was annoyed at first, but she was right. I checked my last 6 receipts from the Kroger on 5th and I was leaving about $18 a trip on sale items I just ignored. Switched to planning meals around the weekly ad instead of my cravings. That is $70 to $90 back in my pocket every month. Has anyone else had a simple observation from a friend totally rewire their budget approach?
Did you ever go back through and actually look at what you were buying vs what was on sale? For me the big one was meat. I used to just grab whatever looked good, but now I check the ad first and plan around whatever protein is marked down that week. Crockpot stuff, tacos, whatever works with the cheap cut. Also started hitting the store on Wednesday mornings when they mark down the stuff that's about to expire, got a pack of chicken thighs for like 2 bucks last week. It adds up way faster than you'd think once you get in the habit.