{"id":66862,"date":"2026-03-08T15:10:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T19:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/?p=66862"},"modified":"2026-03-08T09:25:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T13:25:08","slug":"save-thousands-and-reach-your-dreams-faster-with-goal-oriented-shopping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/save-thousands-and-reach-your-dreams-faster-with-goal-oriented-shopping\/","title":{"rendered":"Save Thousands and Reach Your Dreams Faster With Goal-Oriented Shopping"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}<\/style><p>Wondering why you can&rsquo;t seem to save? The answer may lie in your kitchen cabinets.<\/p>\n<p>Stores offer loads of ready-to-eat foods, and after a long day, it&rsquo;s tempting to let someone else do the cooking. But precooked chickens and frozen entr&eacute;es cost a lot, and such foods tend to be high in sodium and additives.<\/p>\n<p>Grocery shelves are also packed with cookies, chips, ice cream, candies, and other delicious indulgences &ndash; and we don&rsquo;t even have to leave the couch to get a frozen lasagna or a bag of chips. Many supermarkets now deliver the sugary goods, and companies like DoorDash and Instacart let us order groceries or fast food 24\/7.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, a simple tactic called &ldquo;goal-oriented shopping&rdquo; can help you get a handle on your spending &ndash; and a leg up on your dreams.<\/p>\n<h2>Prioritizing Our Goals<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_58703\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-58703\" class=\"size-full wp-image-58703\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544.jpg\" alt=\"Beautiful woman sitting by the fireplace in cozy sweater and writing in notebook.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-58703\" class=\"size-full wp-image-58703 eager-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201280%20720'%3E%3Crect%20width='1280'%20height='720'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"Beautiful woman sitting by the fireplace in cozy sweater and writing in notebook.\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shutterstock_1179207544-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-58703\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: Shutterstock.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Here&rsquo;s how goal-oriented shopping works:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Make a shopping list, and vow to follow it. No unnecessary items!<\/li>\n<li>Start that list with a short- or long-term goal. Use all caps and write it with a black Sharpie; if you&rsquo;re using Notes or some other app, use bold and\/or larger type. You want this goal to stand out!<\/li>\n<li>Every few items, either repeat that goal or write down a new one.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your shopping list might look something like this:<\/p>\n<p>Bread<br aria-hidden=\"true\">Apples<\/p>\n<p>Aluminum foil<\/p>\n<p><strong>PAY OFF CREDIT CARD BALANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Toothpaste<\/p>\n<p>Canned tomatoes<\/p>\n<p>Oatmeal<\/p>\n<p><b>CONTRIBUTE TO ROTH IRA<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Pet food<\/p>\n<p>Lotion<\/p>\n<p>Laundry soap<\/p>\n<p><strong>DOWN PAYMENT FOR MY FIRST HOME<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you&rsquo;re tempted to toss unnecessary items in the shopping cart, the list reminds you of goals that will make your life better, either in the short or long term.<\/p>\n<p>Does goal-oriented shopping always work? Of course not! We&rsquo;re human, after all. On high-stress, low-willpower days, our snack cravings might overrule our good sense.<\/p>\n<p>But writing your goals in bold capital letters is the first step toward achieving them. It&rsquo;s a reminder that the more aimlessly you spend, the further away your dreams get.<\/p>\n<h2>Our Choices Have Consequences<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_66245\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66245\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66245\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194.jpg\" alt=\"woman cooking in kitchen\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66245\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66245 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194.jpg\" alt=\"woman cooking in kitchen\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Shutterstock_573965194.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-66245\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image Credit: Shutterstock.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Thinking, &ldquo;Oh, it&rsquo;s just a bag of chips&rdquo; or &ldquo;I <em>deserve<\/em> chocolate chip cookies after the week I just had&rdquo;? According to government research, the average cost for chocolate chip cookies and potato chips are <a href=\"https:\/\/fred.stlouisfed.org\/series\/APU0000702421\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$5.35 per pound<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/alfred.stlouisfed.org\/series?seid=APU0000718311&amp;utm_source=series_page&amp;utm_medium=related_content&amp;utm_term=related_resources&amp;utm_campaign=alfred\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$6.63 per pound<\/a>, respectively<\/p>\n<p>We&rsquo;ve done the math for you: The weekly costs represent $278 to $344 per year, or $2,780 to $3,400 gone from your wallet over the next decade. (Or more, if you <em>really<\/em> like chips.)<\/p>\n<p>What could that money have done for your bottom line?<\/p>\n<p>We get it. Life is chaotic, and sometimes a little treat is what keeps us going. But if we consistently overspend, we give up the right to complain about how hard it is to get ahead.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s tough to change long habits, but it <em>can<\/em> be done. Start slowly. For example, you could:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cook once or twice a week instead of relying mostly on takeout or supermarket meals. (Pro tip: Cook more than you need and freeze the rest for lunches or for fast dinners later in the month.)<\/li>\n<li>Make cupcakes or a batch of brownies (a boxed mix is fine!) instead of buying $7 treats.<\/li>\n<li>Stop automatically buying new pet toys! Your floof is probably just fine with the ones you already have.<\/li>\n<li>Instead of hitting the pub every Friday, pick up a craft six-pack and invite friends over a couple of times per month.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And so on.<\/p>\n<p>Use goal-oriented shopping to take control of your spending. You&rsquo;ll be surprised at the wiggle room this gives your budget.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering why you can&rsquo;t seem to save? The answer may lie in your kitchen cabinets. Stores offer loads of ready-to-eat foods, and after a long day, it&rsquo;s tempting to let someone else do the cooking. But precooked chickens and frozen entr&eacute;es cost a lot, and such foods tend to be high in sodium and additives. &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":67530,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"no","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8116],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[8097],"class_list":["post-66862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kitchen-and-grocery-hacks"],"authors":[{"term_id":8097,"user_id":41,"is_guest":0,"slug":"anewlife1114gmail-com","display_name":"Donna Freedman","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/64-px-donna-photo-color.jpeg","url2x":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/64-px-donna-photo-color.jpeg"},"0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":67530,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Shutterstock_2372828445-300x169.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66862"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66862\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67532,"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66862\/revisions\/67532"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66862"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.backyardgardenlover.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=66862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}