One of the favorite quotes from Warren Buffet points out that if you buy a $1,000 item on sale for $750, you didn’t save $250. You spent $750.

And he’s right. Often times what you think you’re saving isn’t really money that you’re saving, it’s money you’re not spending in that moment. So how do we flip the switch on that?

Let’s consider grocery store shopping.

Grocery store loyalty cards can provide good discounts on products for which you might otherwise have to pay full price. But how do you really maximize loyalty card savings so they’re more than just what you see on your paper receipt at checkout?

Here’s a strategy that will help you optimize your loyalty card savings after grocery shopping.

Set your grocery store budget.

Then shop the items that will give you the discount when you use your loyalty card.

After you check out, look at your receipt and see how much you saved using the loyalty card. Take those savings from the money you set aside for groceries and move it to your savings account.

That way you’re optimizing the power of your loyalty card rather then just absorbing that money back into your grocery fund. Over time, you will see that savings amount grow.