When it comes to saving money on groceries and household goods, we often talk about all the things we do before we go shopping.

But there are things you can do after you’ve done the shopping that can save you money, too. 

8 Things I Do After I Shop To Save Money

I’ve discovered that I have a few routines that I do after I get home from each shopping trip.  These things help me save money and time.

1. I check my receipts.

I try to check my receipts for errors before I leave the store.  Sometimes items ring up at the wrong price, or coupons don’t ring up correctly.  A quick check has helped me keep more money in my pocket.  In addition, I try to check receipts for for any rewards or special coupons and discounts offered on them.

2. I put away items as soon as I get home.

And I put them away the right way.  I make sure the cold and frozen stuff gets put away first. I rotate the older items in my pantry and freezer to the front and place the new items in the back. This step ensures that I don’t forget to put away something that needs refrigeration and it ensures that items have a better chance of getting used before they expire.

3. I prep some items in advance.

I package up bulk purchases into smaller portions.  For example, if I get a great price on chicken, I’ll purchase 10 or 15 pounds of it and then package it into smaller meal-sized portions for the freezer.  Sometimes I will brown ground beef before I freeze it in meal-sized portions.  I may wash and cut up veggies for upcoming meals and snacks.  By doing a bit of the preparation in advance, I save time. And I save money because I am less likely to waste items if they’re ready to consumer.

4.  I put away my reusable shopping bags.

If the bags need to be washed, I add them to another load of laundry.  If they don’t, I fold them and put them right by my purse so that I can easily grab them on my way out of the house.  Some stores offer me a discount for reusable bags, so I don’t want to miss out on the savings by leaving my bags at home.

5. I submit receipts for cash back.

There are many cashback sites and apps that allow you to earn anywhere from $.25 to $2 back on select grocery and household purchases.  There is usually a time limit on these offers, so I find that when I submit my receipts right away after I shop, I earn the most cash back. It only takes a few moments to snap a picture of your receipts and I earn $10-$15 a month doing this.

6. I submit any mail-in rebates that are available for my purchases.

If I’ve purchased an item with a mail-in rebate, I fill out the rebate form and proof of purchase paperwork right away.  I want to make sure I get my money back as soon as possible and that I don’t miss the deadline.

7. I make plans to use what I have.

When I’ve spent time working to save money at the store, I want that saving to continue. So I make sure to create a menu plan to use up what I’ve got.

8. Start my list for my next shopping trip.

Even with all of my planning, I sometimes still forget an item.  I keep a magnetic notepad on my fridge where I can jot down items I need at the store.   This also helps me know what coupons and sales to look for when shopping.

Getting into these simple routines each and every time I shop helps me keep track of what we have on hand and helps me keep more money in my wallet.

What are some things you do after you shop to save money?