10 Costly Shopping Mistakes Single Retirees Make at the Grocery Store

Single retirees often spend too much on groceries without realizing it, making small mistakes that quietly drain grocery budgets over time. These mistakes might have been inconsequential previously, but rising food prices are making them more costly in the long run.

Learn what small changes can dramatically impact your weekly shopping so you can save money on groceries.

Meal planning means less waste and spending on take-out or snacks. Without a plan, the temptation to just grab something convenient while shopping can be overwhelming—and expensive.

Be realistic about eating habits: cutting out snacks entirely instead of budgeting is a common pitfall. Instead, stick to planning for how you actually eat, instead of how you "should" be eating, and the savings will follow.

You can't compare prices without factoring in size, so checking on the per-unit price can help single folks avoid overpaying for a smaller quantity. This is especially true for serving sizes most appropriate for one, as "family-sized" is often cheaper per unit.

Buying slightly more than you need can often save money as long as it won't spoil or go to waste, so think frozen or shelf stable and make sure it's something you will actually eat.

Check with your favorite grocery stores to see what kind of senior discounts are offered. This could be anything from presenting an AARP card for a discount on your total to specific days where senior sales are highlighted.

These programs are often done by location, so it's worth inquiring at your local sources to see if you can save money on things you were going to buy anyway.

Agricultural advancements mean many of us are able to buy whatever we want whenever we want to eat it, regardless of season. This has become increasingly expensive, though, and buying only fruits and vegetables that are in season can shave money off your grocery expenses each month.

To learn what's currently in season, consult a resource such as the Seasonal Food Guide.

You don't have to sacrifice all out-of-season fruits to keep on budget, because many are available frozen for lower prices. Buying fresh is more expensive, but frozen is always an affordable option and tastes just as good when used as ingredients.

This is especially great for those living alone since prepackaged sizes of fresh fruits can often go bad before one person has time to eat it all.

Make sure your grocery routine is in sync with the best day for store sales. Most grocery chains have weekly sales, so you want to make sure you are going on a day that allows you to take advantage of sale prices before the popular items are gone.

For example, most Aldi shoppers prefer to go on Wednesday because that's when the Weekly Finds are updated with new seasonal sales.

Grab a snack before you start shopping, and stick to the meal-planning list. Being hungry can make it easier to succumb to impulse buying things you don't need at full price. If you're tempted, try finishing your shopping and see if you want to go back for it.

Chances are you'll forget or decide it's too much hassle to go back, and will prefer to just pay and go.

Keeping an eye on grocery circulars highlighting the deals and sales available each week can add variety to your diet while still saving money. You can often grab these at the front of the store when you enter, but they're also likely available online to consult while planning your weekly grocery list.

This is also where many stores put coupons, so always check to see if there are deals on any home essentials.

Stacking manufacturer's coupons with store offers is a frequently overlooked way to save money each month. Many online sites offer printable coupons and track where they can be stacked for additional savings.

It's annoying to sign up for a new app for every store, but saving up points and getting additional member sales can make it worth the hassle. Some stores will also offer personalized suggestions based on your previous activity, so these apps could help highlight deals you may have otherwise missed.

Grocery shopping for a single person isn't "one-size-fits-all." Common adages like "don't buy precut vegetables" may not be practical for a single pair of hands doing all the cooking.

Ultimately, paying slightly more for food you will eat is better than food that will go to waste if you're too tired to cook, and it will help you avoid wasting money.