Smart shopping begins with smart planning, so make your spending decisions before you start your shopping trip.
Making a shopping list takes time, but it will help. Organise your list by store location and the items you need within the stores. This will save backtracking, prevent you from forgetting to buy any of the items on your list, and may even help you to avoid buying something you don't need. Creating a shopping list may also help you reduce the number of transactions that you make, saving you fees.
A smart shopper will buy the things they need first, then add the extras. Keep in mind what you already have, what you need, how it will be used, what size, colour, quantity, quality you want and the price you will pay.
And remember, no family's needs will be the same as their neighbours, friends or relatives.