The disciplined shopper knows that a good shopping list is the key to saving money. The bigger the variety of the store, the more important the list becomes. If you buy groceries at a wholesale store then you can probably think of an experience where you spent $200 or more when all you planned on buying was some meat and paper towels.

Sound familiar? It’s happened to me before. I’m all set to go into Costco and buy a couple of items that I need and I end up walking out spending way to much money! Now most if not all of these things will go to a very good use. But the problem is that I’ve stepped off my plan. I went into the store without a list to buy paper towels and I came out with all kinds of things that seem like good deals. And usually they are good deals but that isn’t the point.

Keeping to your budget is not easy, and it’s even harder when you go shopping without a list. The list will remind you that you didn’t come here to buy anything that is not on that list. Stick to the list, save money and stay inside your budget. If you come across something that you think you must have then just… wait. Wait until next time and put it on your list.

Staying disciplined so important when you are fighting the budget battle. Keeping a list keeps you on the straight and narrow. Next time you go shopping in one of those big wholesale stores take a list with you.