How Cutting Down on Grocery Stores Helped Me Save Money and Eat Better

Life gets complicated fast—too many choices, too many decisions, and too many distractions pulling us in different directions. Lately, I’ve been making a conscious effort to simplify, not just in terms of material clutter, but in my daily routines and habits. One area that’s made a big difference? Where I shop for groceries.

The Trap of Too Many Stores

For a while, I had a rotation of grocery stores—Safeway, Stadium Thriftway, and Fred Meyer.

Each store had things I liked, and I’d alternate based on what I needed. On the surface, that sounds like a good system, but I started noticing a pattern:

• The more stores I visited, the more I bought—often things I hadn’t planned for.
• Bigger stores, like Fred Meyer, were designed to make me spend more. Their bakery, deli, and constant new product displays (looking at you, Krispy Kreme, and limited-edition Oreos) were always tempting.
• Coupons and special deals lured me into making extra trips, which led to even more unplanned purchases.

I realized that every time I stepped into a store, I was giving myself the opportunity to spend more money and bring home more food than I actually needed.

The Pandemic Showed Me a Different Way

During the pandemic, grocery shopping was stripped down to the essentials. It wasn’t safe to linger, so every trip was planned with precision. I saved a ton of money and focused only on what I truly needed. My household investment portfolio grew the most during that time because I wasn’t constantly spending on impulse purchases.

But once the world reopened, companies flooded the market with new products to get people spending again. Pepsi and Coca-Cola launched new flavors, fast food chains ramped up promotions, and stores became packed with marketing designed to make people buy more. Without realizing it, I got pulled back into that cycle—until I decided to step back and rethink my habits.

Choosing Simplicity: Sticking to Two Stores

Now, I’ve committed to shopping at just two local stores—Safeway and Stadium Thriftway. They don’t have the overwhelming variety that Fred Meyer does, and that’s actually a good thing. Here’s why this shift is working for me:

• Fewer temptations. My Safeway doesn’t have a bakery or deli, which means fewer distractions. I go in, get what I need, and leave.
• Less decision fatigue. Instead of debating between different stores and tracking deals, I keep it simple.
• More intentional eating. Smaller stores mean fewer bulk-sized options, which helps me buy just enough instead of stocking up on excess food.

This transition is happening at the perfect time, too. Next month, I graduate, and my routine will change. I won’t be near Fred Meyer as often, so it makes sense to adjust now rather than later. While I love certain things that Fred Meyer carries—like their larger jugs of almond milk and big bags of broccoli—learning to work with smaller portions is just another way to keep things simple.

Takeaways: How to Simplify Your Grocery Shopping (and Life)

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by choices or looking to cut back on spending, here are a few ways to simplify your grocery routine:

1. Limit the number of stores you visit. More stores mean more opportunities for impulse buying. Find one or two that meet your needs and stick to them.
2. Be mindful of marketing tactics. If a store constantly rolls out new products, it’s trying to get you to spend more. Recognizing this helps you resist the urge to try every new snack or limited-time item.
3. Buy smaller portions when possible. It prevents overstocking your pantry and encourages more intentional eating.
4. Think long-term. If you know your routine will change soon (like with my graduation), start adjusting your habits now instead of scrambling later.

Final Thoughts

Simplifying isn’t just about decluttering your home—it’s about decluttering your decisions. Cutting back on where I shop has helped me regain control of my spending, avoid unnecessary temptations, and eat more intentionally. It’s a small change, but it’s already making a big impact.

If you’re feeling pulled in too many directions when it comes to food, money, or even just daily routines, try simplifying your choices. Sometimes, having less to choose from is exactly what we need.