My first step which I recently came to....only buy baits from a few manufacturers.
As as far as plastics go...is there anything that Zoom or Berkley don't make? Nope...and they are in every single shop/store, so running out isn't a big deal. Limit the colors to the color water you fish...Green Pumpkin, B&B, Junebug, maybe something red?
Hardbaits...Strike King makes it all...at reasonable price. I don't need a $20 crankbait, that I probably lose.
Hopefully this his method helps me keep $$$ in my wallet and not in my tackle bag.