@Home: Cut Your Biggest Bill In Half – How to Save Money on Groceries
By DANIELLE BOOTHE
A family’s grocery bill often depends on what they buy, how many they buy and what brands they choose at the store. But the hike in food prices also contributes to groceries being at the top of the household expenses list.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can minimise the cost of your grocery bill without diminishing the satisfaction you get from your routine trips to the supermarket.
Here are a few of our top tips:
Shop around before you make a final purchase
When reevaluating your grocery expenses, it’s best to ‘shop around’ first at various supermarkets to compare prices of items you wish to purchase. To get the best value for your money, choose the supermarket that not only has lower prices but also affords you the same convenience.
Coupons anyone?
Don’t fear to hand coupons to the cashier, it’s not a sign of being ‘cheap’, but proves you are a savvy shopper. Coupons are usually found in newspapers, magazines, supermarket brochures and are sometimes available online – finding them is just as easy as using them. The next time you go grocery shopping hand the cashier your coupons with a smile because hey, you just saved a few dollars.
Make a list
The best way to prep for shopping is to check out what you already have and make a note of what you need. It will assist you in preparing a supermarket budget, and you may even come across items that you can simply top up on instead of overspending on a bulk quantity. We can all relate to going with no list and coming home with a cart of things we already have while forgetting the things we actually needed. Don’t risk it, just list it!
Product bundling
Sometimes offers are presented with more than one items bundled together to increase promotion or sales of that specific product. Merchandisers may present three products and consumers may be required to purchase two to get the other FREE. Other bundled items include, but are not limited to, Buy One, Get One Free. Shoppers are encouraged to take advantage of these deals, but be sure to check expiration dates, because a short shelf life tends to make these items more suitable for ‘sale’.
Bulk is better
This shopping method will not only decrease the frequency of supermarket visits but will also help to get you more deals since bulk items are often discounted. Also, stocking up on non-perishables and frozen or freezable items when they are on sale can be a great way to save money on groceries in the long run. Fewer visits will save even more money, and bulk items should last longer.
Loyalty cards
Choose a grocery store that you frequently visit, check to see if they have a customer based loyalty program, sign up, shop smart and reap the benefits they offer.
Avoid overpriced items
Let’s be honest; sometimes it’s better to purchase inexpensive items of similar quality than the higher priced ones. You might be hell-bent on sticking to brands you are accustomed to buying at the supermarket, so switching to generic brands could be a huge pill to swallow. But, with the continued hike in food prices, it would be a great idea to save a few dollars on groceries per visit to the grocery store.
Always check your receipt!
Technology can cheat us sometimes. Make sure always to pay attention to the cash register and ensure that you can account for each item and that the prices are the same as advertised. If you’re using your loyalty card be sure to check that the card number is also reflected on the receipt.
