Your most adventurous trip of the week: the grocery store.

Who knew going to the grocery store could be such an adventure?

And not necessarily in a good way!

As we grapple with higher prices everywhere we turn, our most painful bill is probably our weekly groceries.

The thing is, it’s not just that prices have skyrocketed the past few years: we’re also dealing with temptations everywhere.

Grocery stores are laid out to maximize spending. And that likely doesn’t mesh with your idea to maximize saving.

Don’t get me wrong . . . I’m not begrudging them for doing so. After all, their profit margins are generally less than 2%. That’s a pretty razor thin margin to stay in business!

What I’m here to do is help you navigate those aisles while keeping your spending in check. There are tons of ways to do that so let’s address them one at a time in the coming weeks.

First of all, check out the store layout. Some of the items at the top of your list are likely proteins such as meat and dairy. Notice that they’re located waaaaaay in the back? You have to walk through aisle after aisle after aisle of beautifully packaged products to get to the necessities, huh?

We all know the old tip about not shopping when you’re hungry. It works! What also works is shopping with a list.

When you enter the grocery store, gird your loins, make a beeline for the items you need and stick to that list. Walk by the people giving out free samples. Walk by the end caps advertising this week’s BOGO (more on that in a future blog). Walk by those areas you always have a weak spot for.

Easy as pie!

Although you might want to walk by the pie, too.

Be intentional. Be the boss.

Your wallet – and maybe even your waistline – will thank you!