Shopping without a list can lead consumers to spend what multiple of their original shopping trip cost?

Consumers who shop without a list are often prone to impulse buying and may end up purchasing non-essential items. Research shows that this type of shopping behavior can lead to significantly higher spending, sometimes doubling or even tripling the total cost of their intended purchases. The “three times” figure is a common statistic that highlights the impact of unplanned purchases on overall expenditure. In essence, without a focused plan, shoppers can easily become distracted by various products that catch their eye, leading to an inflated final bill that may be three times greater than what they initially intended to spend. This underscores the importance of having a shopping list to help maintain budget discipline and focus on necessary items.