The 5 Rules of Shopping at Wal-Mart and Other Big Box Stores!

Wal-Mart, Costco, and other big box stores can really be quite deceiving. Yes, they do have some very nice low priced merchandise, but if you don't go in there with a plan, they have a plan for you. Before you realize it you'll spend much more than you would have otherwise. There are just so many ways to you can accidentally spend money at these places, so here are five simple tips to follow when shopping at a big box store.

First, have a plan and a list. You should know exactly what you need when it comes to groceries and household goods before you go there. By doing this, you won't accidentally buy something you already have, and you won't end up buying a bunch of expensive merchandise or food you probably won't eat anyway.

Secondly, maximize your trip. Some people have to travel quite a ways to go to big-box store, so gas can become an issue. Try to make one big trip a week rather than several small trips. Often big box stores have their own gas stations which sell fuel for much less than their competitors, so perhaps buy fuel from them while you are there. If there are any other stores in the area that you might need to visit that week, stop by them as well to save on gas rather than having to make a second trip to one of those places.

Third, make a mental route through the store and don't stray from it! If you begin wandering in Wal-Mart, you'll start finding additional items you never knew you even needed, such as miscellaneous DVDs and odd household appliances. The best way to avoid them is to not walk by them in the first place, know where you plan on going in the store and don't begin to wander!

Fourth, buy in bulk, but do it carefully. Whenever you buy in bulk, you think you're saving money on each unit, but this might not always be the case. Sometimes buying bigger amounts of items will not save you on a per unit basis. When you do buy in bulk, make sure it's something you will actually use. Who needs a 3 year supply of Ketchup anyway?