<div><p>Every week when you head into your local grocery store armed with a shopping cart and a list, you have just one goal: don't waste any money!</p><p>But no matter what you do, your cart always seems to fill up with junk food and other things you don't need. So what went wrong?</p><p>If you're already following our tips to <a href="https://www.shared.com/17-tricks-to-cut-your-grocery-bill-in-half/" target="_blank">cut your grocery bill in half</a>, you might have been fooled by your store. All the major chains use some very sneaky tricks to make you spend more. If you learn to spot these 7 common tricks, it could help save your family some money.</p><div><figure><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-cut-your-monthly-grocery-bill-in-half-2015-9" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/34.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/34_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-cut-your-monthly-grocery-bill-in-half-2015-9" target="_blank">Business Insider</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p>First, beware of sales. While you can find some great bargains every week, most stores use their sales to advertise regular-priced items.</p><p>They know that you're on the lookout for those red discount tags, and checking the end of the aisle to see what's on display, so <strong>make sure you're actually getting a good deal</strong>.</p><p>Even if a price is really good, <strong>make sure you actually need that item</strong>. Maybe tomatoes are half price, but if you have a crisper of tomatoes waiting at home there's no point in buying more.</p><div><figure><a href="http://www.discountshelving.com/SoftContent/store-type-grocery-store-shelving.aspx" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/GS3.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.discountshelving.com/SoftContent/store-type-grocery-store-shelving.aspx" target="_blank">Discount Shelving</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p>You should also be aware of how your grocery store's layout is designed to fool you.</p><p>You probably already know that the milk is kept across the store from the bread. This trick is meant to make you buy more food as you cross the store, <strong>so focus on your destination</strong> and stick to your list.</p><p>Also, <strong>look for foods on the left side of each display</strong>. They're usually cheaper, because stores know people usually start browsing from the right side.</p><p>Stores will also line up the most alluring foods right at your child's eye-level, so <strong>avoid bringing them into the store </strong>as much as possible. If they throw a tantrum, you're bound to buy whatever they ask for.</p><div><figure><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/ce/33/9bce33cac166c8cf2c2919009dd29834.jpg" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/9bce33cac166c8cf2c2919009dd29834.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/9bce33cac166c8cf2c2919009dd29834_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/9bce33cac166c8cf2c2919009dd29834_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/ce/33/9bce33cac166c8cf2c2919009dd29834.jpg" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p>Lastly, look out for eye-catching produce displays meant to make fruits and veggies seem "fresh." These usually aren't any better than the kind in bags or bundles, so <strong>shop based on price and price alone</strong>.</p><p>Now head to the checkout, but don't grab a candy bar on the way out! "Impulse items" sell because people want to reward themselves for finishing their shopping.</p><p>Instead, <strong>let the money you saved be your reward.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Share this post to help someone else save money!</strong></p></div>