10 - Take a moment to review your receipts, especially from grocery stores!

Every time I leave the grocery store I wonder if the $200 I just spent included any errors. Yesterday, I checked my receipt when I got home and found that there were $25 of mistakes. Fortunately, this time they were all mistakes of my own doing (some might say tricky ways some stores get you to pay more), but these mistakes resulted in overpaying by $25. 

First, I bought some pine nuts in a little plastic bag hanging on a hook with a bunch of other seeds, herbs and nuts. I looked on the display, but didn't see prices for anything. I looked on the packaging and only found a "Best By" date (which was expired by three weeks BTW, but I didn't notice that until later). It rang up at $11.99 for like 25 pine nuts. I'd be "nuts" to pay that when sunflower seeds are an excellent, cheaper, substitute in the dish I wanted them for. So I returned them to the store. The Customer Service reps were shocked that it cost so much and were upset to discover that they were expired, as well.

Next, I purchased four containers of cherry/grape tomatoes. they were four differently named tomatoes of various colors (yellow, orange, and red) and shapes (globes and eggs). They appeared to be from different companies, although it's pretty clear now that they were from the same distributor. On the signs, it read "Limit 2" but I thought that meant a limit of two of each variety. Because of this, I got two containers at the sale price of $1.99 each and two containers at the regular price of $5.99 each! (Very expensive "Flavor Bombs"!) Even though I had eaten one of the four containers or tomatoes before checking my receipt, I brought the other three in and they were able to take back two containers of my choice and I kept the other. 

If I hadn't read the receipt, I would have spent $25 more than I anticipated while shopping! And if you look at my receipt, nearly everything on it was a sale price (remember Tip #2). Here's a breakdown of my savings from yesterday's shopping trip (all of these are revised with the returns included):

• Total: $151.88
• In-Store Savings: $118.68
• Grocery Store App Savings: $56.71
• Grocery Store Rewards: $1.00
• Total Savings: $176.39
• Savings Percent: 53.7% (Meaning I saved more than I spent)

Plus, I used my Discover Card, which this quarter gives you 5% cash back on grocery store purchases if you activate it (which I did), so I will be getting another $7.59 back via a credit to my credit card bill.

Plus, I uploaded my receipt to Ibotta, which gave me $1.00 back (not much, but free money!).

Therefore, I spent $143.29 on groceries that should have cost me $328.27. Not bad!

Additional Tips and Directions from AI:

Taking a moment to review your grocery receipt—either before you leave the store or once you get home—is a smart habit that can save you serious money every month. Pricing mistakes, expired items, and fine print on “limit” sales happen everywhere, making this tip relevant no matter where you shop in the U.S. Here’s how to do it efficiently, plus ways to add even more savings to your grocery trips:

Step-by-Step: How to Catch and Fix Receipt Errors (And Boost Savings)

• Review your receipt immediately:
• Before leaving the store, scan your receipt for any mysteriously high prices, duplicate charges, wrong quantities, or missed discounts.
• Pay close attention to sale items, multi-buy promos (“Limit 2,” “Buy X, Get Y”), and barcode-scanned offers—these are the most common error sources.

Check expiration dates and product details:

• If you purchase specialty items (seeds, nuts, spices, deli goods), double-check the dates and ingredient labels—expired or wrongly labeled items often slip through unnoticed, sometimes at premium prices.

Verify price limits and store signage:

• Understand the limitations of in-store promos, like “Limit 2 per customer.” Don’t assume the limit applies per item type—clarify with a cashier or associate if unsure, since over-buying can lead to missing discounts or paying regular price for extra items.

Don’t hesitate to return or fix errors:

• Many stores accept returns or issue refunds on incorrect or accidental purchases—even if you’ve opened one of the items (within reason).
• Approach customer service promptly with unused goods and your receipt for the fastest resolution.

Track all your savings:

• Use your receipt to confirm savings from in-store sales, app coupons, loyalty/card rewards, and any manufacturer promotions. Add up your total savings and compare as a percentage to what you would have spent without deals.

Leverage bonus rewards for added value:

• Activate relevant credit card bonus categories (like 5% cash back on groceries with Discover, Chase, or other rotating offers) before you shop.
• Scan your receipt with store loyalty apps or third-party savings apps (like Ibotta, Fetch) for additional rebates after checkout. (Tomorrow's blog post focuses on these apps! Plus a special deal for you!)

Extra Tips for Maximum Grocery Savings, Nationwide:

• If possible, review your receipt while still in the store—errors can often be resolved quickly at customer service, saving you another trip.
• Always clarify sale “limits” with store associates if signage is confusing.
• Use store apps, loyalty programs, and cash back cards together for stacked savings every trip.
• Record your return/refund successes and savings in a spreadsheet or notes app—you’ll see just how much reviewing receipts can add up over the year!
• Don’t feel uneasy about returns—most stores prefer catching errors and expired products early to keep customers happy.
• Making this a regular habit can turn “hidden” overcharges into real savings and stretch your grocery budget much further, month after month!