The moment you reach checkout and see the total, your stomach drops. "How did it get that high?" you wonder—again. Grocery prices creep up, and before you know it, you're spending hundreds more each month than you planned.

The good news? You don't need to sacrifice quality or live on crackers to cut costs. You just need a few smart, repeatable habits that work in real life.

Here are grocery shopping hacks that can genuinely save you money—and stress.

1. Always Shop with a Plan

Wandering the aisles without a list is how most budgets get blown. Start by planning your meals for the week, then build a shopping list based on what you actually need. Keep your list short and specific: "2 cans of black beans" is better than "canned goods."

Sticking to your list helps avoid impulse buys and duplicate items already hiding in your pantry.

2. Never Shop Hungry

It sounds silly, but going to the store hungry makes everything look tempting. Suddenly, that $5 tub of trail mix or that extra dessert you don't need ends up in the cart.

Eat a small snack before you go. It's one of the easiest (and weirdly most effective) ways to stop overspending.

3. Shop Once a Week—Max

Fewer trips mean fewer opportunities to splurge. If you visit the store two or three times a week "just for one thing," you'll often walk out with five.

By planning your meals and making one solid shopping trip each week, you control both your time and your spending.

4. Know What's Already at Home

Before you even make a list, take a few minutes to check your fridge, freezer, and pantry. Use what you already have as the base of your meals.

Got pasta? Plan one dinner around that. Have frozen veggies? They're one side dish down. This way, you're buying to fill in gaps—not starting from scratch.

5. Don't Fear the Store Brand

Store-brand items are often made in the same factories as their name-brand counterparts. The only major difference? Packaging—and price.

Try swapping out a few staples like oats, cereal, or canned goods. You might not even notice the difference, except on your receipt.

6. Buy in Bulk (Selectively)

Bulk bins are your best friend when it comes to pantry staples like rice, beans, oats, or flour. But buying in bulk doesn't mean buying more—just buy what you need.

If a 5-pound bag of rice saves you $3 compared to smaller bags, and you'll actually use it, go for it. Just skip the mega-packs of perishable items unless you're sure nothing will go to waste.

7. Use the Unit Price

Those tiny numbers on shelf labels? They're your secret tool. The unit price tells you how much something costs per ounce, pound, or item—so you can spot the real deal, even when packaging sizes vary.

Sometimes a bigger box is actually more expensive per unit than a smaller one. Knowing how to read this will stop you from getting tricked by packaging.

8. Shop the Perimeter

The outer edges of the store are where you'll find basics: produce, dairy, bread, and eggs. The center aisles are often where pricier processed foods live.

By doing most of your shopping along the perimeter—and only going into the aisles for specific items—you avoid random temptations and keep your cart focused.

9. Look a Shelf Below or Above

The most expensive items are usually placed at eye level. Stores want you to grab what's easiest to see—often the pricier brands.

Scan the top and bottom shelves for lower-cost alternatives. You'd be surprised how often the best value is just a few inches away.

10. Stick to the "Pay in Cash" Rule

Leave your card at home and bring only the amount of cash you've budgeted. It's a powerful way to control spending—because once the cash is gone, the shopping ends.

You'll think twice about tossing extra snacks or drinks into your cart when you know there's no backup.

You don't have to chase every coupon or switch to instant noodles to save at the store. These small shifts—shopping with a list, knowing what's in your kitchen, and resisting those impulse buys—can save you real money week after week.

Next time you grab a cart, what's one habit you'll try differently?