Why is it that when you get to the checkout your receipt is huge but your cart is half empty?
It happens to the best of us, there you are popping into the supermarket or local grocery store to pick up a few items for dinner and you end up spending way more than you planned on spending only to walk out with a handful of items.
If you know how to grocery shop properly you can save hundreds of dollars a month
As the price of food steadily increases due to a million and one factors there are real steps you can take to save hundreds of dollars on your grocery shopping. By introducing these simple 7 money saving tips you can make yourself a more efficient, thrifty and successful shopper ensuring you take home the best produce at the very best price.
1: Cut back on the processed food
Processed food is both expensive and often not so healthy. The process the food goes through removes a lot of the healthy stuff in the food itself and, of course you, the consumer, have to pay for the process, branding etc. With a little effort you can make your own homemade salads and spreads and save a fortune on the processed goods.
2: Freeze your milk
Supermarkets often run special offers on their milk and dairy products. This is a good time to stock up as long as you have plenty of freezer space. Milk freezes very well and although skim milk doesn’t freeze quite as well as full fat it’s worth filling the deep freeze with plenty of milk especially if you have kids at home.
3: Don’t forget your shopping list
Of all the things I forget when leaving the house my “shopping list” is the most critical. You find yourself at the store trying to remember what was on the list furiously calling your wife for guidance. It is also proven that shoppers spend way more on their groceries if they don’t have a list with them so make sure to keep it handy or even better email it to your phone so you have it no matter what.
4: Shop near closing time
Many local grocery stores and supermarkets slash their prices when it’s closing time on bread items and other pastries. My local corner shop sells its end of day bread at 50% of the price and as I favor crusty wholemeal bread I don’t mind if it’s a little stale. Be sure to ask the staff what they have on offer but don’t get there too late or they will have sold out of the best items. It’s all in the timing on this one.
5: Look carefully for offers
Supermarkets and convenience stores frequently run offers or have specials on various items in the store. When it comes to canned goods for example you can never have enough in your store cupboard. If you see worthwhile offers on items you like and use go ahead and buy them, obviously providing you have enough cupboard and fridge space.
6: Buy in bulk
Stores like Costco and other large warehouse style stores enable every day shoppers to buy in bulk. This kind of shopping really can save you a lot of cash as long as you know what you’re doing. You will want to avoid buying large amounts of perishable good,s usually sold for commercial purposes, as the last thing you want is to buy food only for it to go off.
7: Grate it yourself
One way that large supermarket chains make their money is by selling pre cut or pre grated food. You pay a premium for the convenience of buying pre-packaged foods like carrots, onions or celery. Get yourself a sharp knife and give yourself a few minutes extra when you prepare your food. You’ll save a lot of money if you cut and prepare your own fruit and veg. Check out this handy link I found on you tube which shows you how to dice an onion properly.
