There are many ways supermarkets entice you to spend more than you planned. Some of them are listed below. Also, some ways you can tips the scales in your favor have been added.

Check out these Secrets and be armed so you can shop more intelligently and save more.

Secret #1. Check newspaper ads for the sale items available this week. Don't buy them though, just because they are on special. Buy them only if you need them.

Secret #2. Don't do your weekly food shopping on an empty stomach. The sights and smells are often too hard to resist and as a result your shopping budget can be in tatters.

Secret #3. Know how to compare brands, sizes, weights per $. Use a calculator if you have to. Don't be fooled by the size or claims of the packaging. Do the sums yourself.

Secret #4. If you can avoid it, don't buy goods at eye level. These are often more expensive. Try to buy from the higher or lower shelves.

Secret #5. Make out a list of items you need for the week before you leave home. Stick to the list as much as possible.

Secret #6. Ensure you have set a $ limit on your weekly food shopping and stick to it. Think creatively how you can get the most from your shopping dollar. You'll be surprised with your ideas.

Secret #7. Don't buy items at the check-outs. They are usually impulse purchases - not things you really need.

Secret #8. Sometimes complementary items such as drinks and pretzels/chips are placed side-by-side. This plays on your weakness to impulse shop. Unless it's on your list and it's at a great price let it go. Learn what kinds of items are considered impulsive, decide if you really want or need them, and cushion your grocery budget to pay for them

Secret #9. Pay attention to package sizes. Does 10% extra mean that the price is still the same or has the price been increased too? Learn to spot these claims and test them out for yourself.

Secret #10. Sometimes you'll find the same type of goods in 2 or 3 places. Take cheese for example. It will most probably be cheaper in the cheese rack than in the deli or on cheese tables.

Secret #11. Don't buy something, such as bread, just because it smells so good. Look at your list and make sure you really need it.

Secret #12.Think twice before buying an item because of a rebate. Less that 6% of shoppers ever redeem rebates. Before you buy, ask yourself "Will I really take the time to redeem the rebate?"

These a just a few helpful hints on ways to save money every time you shop at the supermarket. Look at your budget and see how much you could save using these ideas.

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