Stop Wasting Gas: Should You Shop Multiple Stores or Stick to One?
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Youdle) – Lower and middle-income shoppers are making more frequent trips to multiple stores to hunt deals and keep basket sizes small. But is it actually saving money, or is the gas burning a hole in your budget?
New foot traffic data shows that shoppers managing tight budgets are visiting stores more often—sometimes 2-3 different retailers per week—looking for sales and smaller baskets that fit their weekly money. It makes intuitive sense: spread purchases across stores where items are on sale. But the math doesn't always work out.
When Multi-Store Shopping Works:
Multi-store shopping saves money if:
Stores are within 5-10 minutes of each other (minimal gas cost)
You're shopping weekly or more frequently anyway
You know which stores have consistent deals on specific items
You're buying larger quantities during sales
Example: If your local Aldi has chicken on sale, your regular store has produce deals, and a third store has meat specials, and they're all close together, combining three trips makes sense.
When It Backfires:
Multi-store shopping costs money if:
You're driving more than 15-20 minutes between stops
You're making extra trips specifically for deals
Gas costs exceed the savings you're finding
You impulse buy more because you're in multiple stores
A single trip across town burning a gallon of gas ($3.50+) to save $2 on chicken defeats the purpose.
The Math:
Calculate your actual savings. If you're saving 20% on a $100 basket ($20 savings), but spending $8-10 on gas and time, you're netting about $10-12 in actual savings. That's still good. But if you're saving $5 and spending $8 in gas, you need a new strategy.
Smart Hybrid Approach:
Stop by multiple stores on a trip you're already taking. Consolidate visits once weekly instead of making separate trips. Check store apps for deals before you go so you know exactly what you're hunting. Buy sale items in bulk if you have freezer space—visit the discount store once and stock up instead of weekly visits.
Build a grocery list that saves money every week with the Youdle Shopping List tool. Use Youdle grocery finder to see which stores are closest to you and what deals they're running. Share your multi-store shopping experiences and the strategies that actually save you money in the Youdle Community to help other families make smart choices.
Check Youdle News for more money-saving grocery strategies. For details on consumer shopping patterns, read the original article here.
