Shopping impulsively or in a disorganised way can lead to undesirable tensions when your salary runs low and there are still two weeks to go to your salary.  So let's share a few hints to help in avoiding coming to this situation.

1. Look out for special offers as these may offer a good buy but don't go shopping just because there are special offers as this can be a cause of buying what you don't need.
2. Try to shop alone rather than with someone else of with the children as these always make you buy more things.  You will also not be fully concentrating on the actual shopping you need to do, so try to shop quietly and cautiously.
3. Never shop when you are hungry as this makes you buy things which are usually not so healthy or makes you eat out.  Eating out is not cheap and so one has to be careful how many times a week this is done.  There's a lot to say about eating out - even healthwise but that is the subject of another posting.
4. Buy food (eg fruit and veg) which is in season and if not in season then it may be best to buy the frozen alternative.  Frozen alternatives are usually cheaper.  Alternate when these are expensive.
5. Bottled water is expensive and an extra commodity to buy.  Try and avoid this and buy a filter instead so as to have filtered water.
6. One of the most important aspects is to plan your shopping wisely.  Always go shopping with a list so as to buy only what you need and this organises you not to forget anything too.  A list also helps you plan at home and check what you have so you won't keep buying things that you already had in store.
7. I have a shopping list as an excel sheet on my computer and this has been written out in the way in which my supermarket is planned, ie first things in supermarket are first items on my shopping list.  The list includes items which I would normally or occassionally buy.  It does not include items I never use.  This helps me in ticking what I need and quickly writing out a shopping list.
8. Don't buy on impluse - this is a very bad habit for your pocket.  Plan what you need and when it is best to buy the items.
9. Try to shop only once a week as if you go daily to the supermarket or grocer you will end up buying more than what you need each time and this drains your pocket.
10. Plan meals for the whole week so you can shop and cook wisely, eg if you are going to cook chicken one day buy it of a certain size so that there are left overs for the next day which can be made into a nice chicken sauce and if not desired that day - can be frozen.
11. Get to know the prices well at the supermarket - don't just grab one product - take a look at the prices and compare brands, weight, etc.  If you do have to shop with children teach them how to do this if they are of a certain age as they will enjoy it and it is good training.
12. Buy in bulk and save wherever possible eg large packets of toilet paper are cheaper than smaller packets.

Become informed consumers - it will save you a lot of money.