How I Saved $50 at the Store in Less Than 45 Seconds

In my book Cash Uncomplicated, I devote an entire chapter to easy and effortless ways we can save money at the grocery store. I didn’t necessarily intend for it to be a full chapter, but as I was writing it, it became more and more clear that there was plenty of content to make it a whole chapter.

There are so many easy ways to save money at the store with little to no effort. It’s a myth that you have to cut coupons or search online for deals hours at a time to save money at the store.

One of the easy strategies I write about in my book is purchasing items in high quantities that meet the following criteria:

• You use this product regularly, or eat this food regularly.
• It’s a brand you buy exclusively. Example: a certain brand of face lotion that you use exclusively because it doesn’t make you break out.
• The item is on sale when it’s very rarely on sale.

Well, I was at the store two days ago when I saw an item that met this exact criterion. Over the years, my wife and I have gone through several brands of protein bars. Some we’ve liked ok, other brands we bought once and didn’t purchase again. The point is, we’ve never really found a brand we both like enough to purchase regularly.

That changed about six months ago when we found a brand we both really liked. They tasted good, had a good amount of protein, and even better, were half the calories and fat of other brands we’ve tried. We were sold and have been buying this brand exclusively ever since.

Now back to my trip to the store. When I go to this particular store, I always buy protein bars first because the aisle they’re on is towards the front of the store. Most of the other items I buy are towards the back of the store. As I walked down the aisle, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The protein bars I buy were $5 off a box!

You’ll have to forgive my excitement, but these bars are NEVER on sale. I was shocked to see them on sale to be honest. They normally retail for $18.99 a box but there was a sign above the bars that read:

• $18.99
• Instant Manufacturer’s Coupon: $5
• Total: $13.99
• Limit 10

It took me all of 45 seconds to save $50.

• See price: 4 seconds
• Do double take: 7 seconds
• Stand in disbelief at the price: 5 seconds
• Look a third time: 4 seconds
• Put 10 packs in my cart: 25 seconds
• Total: 45 seconds

That’s right, I bought ten packs. Don’t worry, I’m not a hoarder who keeps 10 packs of toilet paper and paper towels in my garage. But I know a great deal when I see one. This sale met all my criteria so I jumped at the opportunity.

My wife and I go through two to three packs a month of the protein bars so these will last us several months. We have plenty of storage space and this is an item we’re guaranteed to use.

I set criteria for the store because it gives me more control over what I buy and what to look for. I want shopping to be as simple as possible, and if I have my criteria set prior to even entering the store, it makes for a quick and easy shopping trip with the opportunity to take quick advantage of sales.

I’d imagine some people reading this will ask why I would possibly spend almost $140 ($13.99/pack x 10 packs) on one item, and that’s a fair question. I could even hear the argument that I didn’t save $50, but wasted $140.

I would agree with that argument except for one thing—the protein bars met all of my buying criteria.

• I use this product regularly, or eat this food regularly
• It’s a brand I buy exclusively
• The item is on sale when it’s very rarely on sale

All three of my criteria were met so I went ahead with the purchase. If even one box wasn’t checked off, I wouldn’t have bought it. That’s why it’s so powerful to have criteria.

So there you have it, that’s how I saved $50 in 45 seconds. It’s not often that I find a deal this great, but I routinely buy things on sale at the store that meet my criteria, and know that anyone can do the same.

How do you save money at the store?