This just came up when we were out shopping for my brother’s new apartment. 
We were strolling around in a huge retail shop and picking up whatever that needs to be picked up for a new apartment. In the process, we went through the food/groceries section, and didn’t pick up anything from there. I mentioned to my wife that this might be our first such trip ever to a food/groceries section when we didn’t pick up a single thing (usually, even if we don’t need anything, we end up picking up some candy or some ready-to-cook packs or some pastries or some nice looking freshly baked bread…some stupid “craving” food).
At this point, my brother mentioned that a bunch of graduate students (including him) from his university have observed, during their shopping trips, that when they shop with their stomachs full, they rarely pick up any “craving” junk. After trying and testing this phenomenon, they are now firm believers that this strategy works. Most of them now make sure that they are not hungry when they step out for groceries. 
It might be a purely psychological or an apparently “perceived” effect. But hey, there is no harm in trying it out. Try to go shopping after a hearty meal and see if it makes a difference in your shopping habits. If it works for you, it will be good for your wallet and your health; make it public so that more people will try it. If it doesn’t work..let us know in that case too.
Caveat: “hearty meal” means hearty meal cooked at home; hogging on dollar-menu (or ready-to-cook packs) makes everything null and void.
[Image source: fridge-mag.net]
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That does make a lot of sense - shopping when full. I had to return some library books and it was out of the way so I came home and walked to the library and saw a place that said 1/2 price pies … and i was starving since i didnt have dinner yet. so i ended up buying two pot pies as dinner that night … spent like 5 something which lasted me two days at least.
i figured out how to read your blog through a feeder … Google reader to be exact and what a miracle. it saves me from clicking on my favorites and going through each link one by one. i know i’m so behind in technology but it’s a start.
I eat a biiiig meal before going shopping and it seriously saves me money. Being hungry when I shop not only is about being hungry in the present day but it subtly kicks in the old trauma about being poor and not having enough food on the shelves. Not poor now, but I will buy out the store to avoid the anxiety that the kids might go hungry. Simple enough to eat, *then* shop.
Eating before shopping definitely helps.
Also, I have a bad habit of going to the “Bank of CVS” because many of my shared network ATMs aren’t all that convenient. So I’ll often buy some random food item to get cash back. It’s better than going to an out-of-network ATM and getting nothing for the fee, but not by much.
One of my financial resolutions this year is to limit my CVS “cash back” trips to once a week. That should help cut back on the food purchases, too.
It was just yesterday that I went to stock our house with things that we might need if there is another outage (there are warnings). As I went directly from office, my stomach was as empty as my brain. So, amongst other routine things, I got a 6-pack muffins (250 cal/serving), chocolate-milk (175 cal/serving, 4 g fat) and a cheesecake (don’t ask) for snacks. Maybe I wouldn’t even eat any of these seeing those calorie values. Just goes to prove your point
Before my Saturday morning trip to the grovery store, I have learned to eat breakfast at home BEFORE I hit the store. On an empty stomach, everyting looks great and will find its way into my shopping basket.
Also, If I can shop by myself, (leave hubby at home) I am not as distracted and manage to keep the spending in check.
Wow..the general consensus seems like people are into this concept :).
SFmoneygal: do let me know if you have any more trouble with any feed readers.
Missy: “leave hubby at home”…lol, may be that’s some material for another quick tip for saving money
All: thanks for the feedback guys.
It’s not just psychological, it’s physiological. They arrange grocery stores to target people that are hungry and I KNOW that it works.
I have a slight blood sugar problem and if I dont eat about every three hours, I get the shakes. If I’m in a grocery store, all the bells and whistles go off and I become one of those people that starts eating out of the box.
The sights, sounds and smells of a grocery store are definately aimed at more primeval appetites, No pun intended!
On the same note, don’t go to the store thirsty either!
That is exactly what I read from somewhere ages ago… wow, that’s great you actually tested the idea out on yourself! This tip works! Don’t shop when you’re most vulnerable!
Looking forward to the article about “leaving the hubby home” when grocery shopping!
I’ve been trying this for years, and I definitely buy more random crap when I’m hungry. It works best when you have a set grcoery list and you know what you’re going to eat for the next few days. When I don’t have a list, I imagine what I will want and then I buy crap (like muffins for breakfast that I then never eat).
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