7 tips for smarter shopping and saving in Omaha 

Many people are prioritizing saving more in 2024. Depending on your goals, you can make bold choices or small, consistent moves that will improve your deposits. Almost like a sport, saving and smarter shopping improve the more you practice. Some of our suggestions might seem like a lot at first, but you’ll be a pro in no time. 

1. Understand how store layouts entice you to spend more 

Retailers have developed the science of store layout to influence customers and increase sales. Throughout stores, complementary products are often placed together to drive cross-selling. Retailers also use eye-level displays and end caps to grab your attention and highlight sales or new and seasonal merchandise. Then there are the impulse buys displayed near the checkout aisles. The treats, the specials, that one item you haven’t tried before—they’re hard to resist. 

The best way to avoid additional spending while shopping is to have a game plan and decide what you’re going to purchase before walking in. Whether that means making a grocery list or knowing in advance what you’ll purchase for a birthday gift, knowing what you’ll buy before shopping is like a “don’t spend more” pep talk. If you see something off-list that catches your eye, follow the “24-hour rule” and wait to see if you feel the same urgency to purchase it the following day.  

2. Plan and prep meals for the week 

When life gets too busy, when you get distracted, when you don’t feel like cooking and dining out instead, meal planning and prepping can save the day. The question of “what’s for dinner” will always have an answer and trips through the drive-thru become rare. Making a meal at home can also be 50% cheaper than dining out and even 75% cheaper than delivery. It makes you wonder, what’s more satisfying, a right-now meal or more savings in the bank? 

Plus, if you’re looking to be more thoughtful about nutrition, making all your meals on the weekend will help you stay on target. 

Meal planning also leads to more focused and efficient grocery shopping. You’re less likely to buy unnecessary items or prepared foods that are more expensive than raw ingredients. With the average cost of groceries in Nebraska now about $84 per week per person, staying disciplined can help you reduce and control your spending. You can also incorporate weekly discounts from Omaha grocery stores, such as Hy-Vee and Asian Market, into your meal planning.

What’s the best way to begin? Like most things, simply. Yes, you can eat something new every night of the week, but that’s for advanced practitioners. Instead, try three big dishes that you can nibble on all week. It’s also easier to meal prep if you can make everything at once during a few hours on the weekend. It’s a way to create your own “grab and go” that’s already in the fridge.

3. Utilize high-interest deposit accounts

Another important part of saving more is how savings can create more savings through high-interest deposit accounts. Specifically, certificates of deposit accounts (CDs) and money market accounts. Each has a different minimum deposit requirement, and both are like giving your money a second job. Our rates will help you earn more, returns are guaranteed and there’s no risk of loss. CDs and money markets truly are special saving machines, and we can help you decide which one is right for you.

4. Use of coupons, discounts and rewards 

In addition to weekly deals on groceries, Omaha offers a variety of ways to save money locally.  
 

• Visit Omaha’s Savings Pack: Free to sign up for; offers discounts at local attractions like Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha Children’s Museum, and more. 
• Groupon®, LivingSocial, and Valpak for local discounts and offers in Omaha. 
• Partnership Passes | Omaha Public Library: Your Omaha Public Library card is your pass to Omaha-area education, entertainment and culture.  
• Current Offers at Village Pointe: Browse discounts at Omaha’s Village Pointe, home to more than 50 retail shops, plus restaurants and a movie theater. 
• Rewards – Four Sisters Boutique: Take advantage of local rewards programs, such as “Style Points” from Four Sisters Boutique. 
• Omaha’s Craft Brew Penny Pack for discounts to 13 Omaha breweries including Benson Brewery and Monolithic Brewing.  
• Nebraska Crossing: This unique outlet store shopping experience is home to more than 85 national brands. Their app is a useful way to see the most recent deals so you can save even more.  
  

5. Automate savings contributions 

Decide on a certain amount of each paycheck, such as 10% or $100, to go into savings. Then, set it and forget it with automatic transfers from checking to savings accounts. You can use online banking tools to manage and monitor automatic transfers. 

Automating your savings is an easy way to grow your nest egg. It keeps your contributions consistent and eliminates the temptation to spend that money instead. When you take it right out of your paycheck, you won’t even notice the difference.  

6. Look at the monthly and yearly costs in your budget 

So, maybe your budget for monthly spending is in good shape. Everything adds up with a little wiggle room at the end. But what about the yearly cost of those monthly expenses? To take a longer view, multiply everything by 12 and then see how you feel about each item and category. You may decide that some things just aren’t worth it when you have serious spending goals. Maybe there are apps and streaming services to delete, personal services that need a downgrade or clothing that can stay on the rack. When you’re on a mission to save, it’s important to consider what’s meaningful and valuable, and what needs to sit on the sideline for a while.  

7. You can do this 

The most important step is to begin. Once you’ve gained a few saving wins, you’ll probably want a few more. We also recommend talking to family and friends about how they spend and save. The more ideas you have, the more support you find, the easier saving and shopping smarter will become.  

Articles contained in our news section are not intended to provide recommendations or specific advice. Consult with a professional when making financial decisions. Once published, articles are not updated; information may be outdated.