Hey, hey! Welcome back to Tips in 10, the podcast that delivers quick and practical life hacks—all in 10 minutes or less! I’m your host, Nicole, and today we’re tackling a topic we’ve all been guilty of: impulse buying. 

Ever walked into a store for just a couple of things and somehow ended up with a cart full of stuff you didn’t plan on buying? Yeah… same. But don’t worry—today, I’m sharing simple and effective tips on how making a shopping list can save you money, keep you organized, and prevent those “what was I thinking?” moments at checkout. 

Let’s dive in! 

📝 Episode Highlights & Shopping List Tips: 

1️⃣ Start with a Plan – Treat your shopping list like a map. Before heading to the store: 

  - Check your pantry & fridge to avoid buying duplicates. 

  - Plan meals/snacks for the week to reduce waste & save money.  

  - Use a paper list or a shopping app like AnyListor Out of Milk to stay organized. 

2️⃣ Organize Your List by Sections – Save time and avoid backtracking by grouping items into categories: 

  - Produce: Lettuce, tomatoes, avocados. 

  - Dairy: Milk, yogurt, eggs. 

  - Frozen: Veggies, berries, ice cream (because balance, right?). 

  - This helps you stay focused & avoid distractions—like that snack aisle calling your name! 

3️⃣ Stick to the List—No Exceptions! – The hardest part, but totally worth it.

   - Never shop hungry (seriously, it’s a trap). 

   - Use cash instead of a card—seeing money leave your hands makes you think twice. 

   - Set a time limit—the longer you’re in the store, the more you spend. 

  - Bonus Hack: If you’re tempted by something, take a picture of it & wait 24 hours. Most of the time, you’ll forget about it! 

4️⃣ Use Apps for Digital Lists – If you prefer tech over paper, apps like AnyList, Out of Milk, and Google Keep make list-making easy. 

  - Syncs across devices (no more forgetting your list at home!). 

  - Share lists with family—so everyone stays on the same page. 

  - Save frequent lists to make grocery shopping even faster! 

📚 Helpful Resources & Product Recommendations 

Book: The Budget-Savvy Shopper by Kathy Spencer 

https://www.amazon.com/How-Shop-Free-Shopping-Something/dp/0738214566

Articles on Meal Planning & Budget Shopping: 

 - NerdWallet’s Guide

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/ways-to-save-money-on-food-groceries

 - The Spruce Eats’ Meal Planning Tips 

https://www.thespruceeats.com/most-important-meal-planning-ideas-according-to-a-chef

Shopping List Apps:

 - AnyList - https://www.anylist.com/

 - Out of Milk - https://outofmilk.com/ 

 - Google Keep - https://keep.google.com/ 

💬 Let’s Connect! 

I’d love to hear how you stick to your shopping list! 

📩 DM me on Instagram → @UmvatoMedia

💬 Leave a review if this episode helped you save some $$! 

🎧 Don’t Miss the Next Episode!

Next time, we’re diving into time blocking—a simple but powerful strategy to take control of your schedule and get more done without feeling overwhelmed. Hit subscribe so you don’t miss it! 

Thanks for listening—see you next time on Tips in 10! 🎙️💡