30 Ways you can save when buying groceries Part 2
Hi again, here are the other 15 tips we promised you in the previous post. Use them well.
16. Shop alone
Do not bring anyone, especially kids, along when shopping as you will end up buying a lot of unnecessary stuff that wasn’t on your list
17. Never shop on an empty stomach
Hunger does odd things to a person, like urge them to spend money on expensive food. Avoid this trap, and eat a meal before going to the store or you will return home with a bucket of fried chicken and R150 out of your budget.
18. Avoid shopping with huge trolleys
Some studies have shown that the bigger your trolley the more items you purchase. Instead, opt for a basket if possible. The thought of having to carry that weight through the whole store will immediately discourage you from overspending.
19. Avoid the deli
It is here where stores sell their most delectable produce in the form of roast beef, potatoes, doughnuts, creamy cakes and more. Avoid the temptation.
20. Buy prepackaged fruit instead of an odd number
Getting a few apples and having them weighed for price might end up costing more than it would buying a bag of pre-packaged apples.
21. Try to buy produce before it hits the grocery stores
Egg farms for example will sell trays of eggs at a much cheaper price than you would get it at the grocery store. Get where we are going with this? Track down factories or large warehouses and buy your groceries before the supermarkets gets to it.
22. Grow your own produce where possible
Something as simple as a herb garden can save you a lot of money. Start growing fruit and vegetables and you won’t have to spend a cent on such things. Plus, you will have the benefits of fresh, organically grown products.
23. Buy produce that are in season
Do not attempt to buy fruit and vegetables that are out of season as they will be ridiculously expensive and of a low quality any way. Stick to what is in season.
24. Shop on a day when you have energy
Going to the grocery store after a long day of work is a bad idea as you will have difficulty concentrating on prices and your shopping list. Instead, go on a Saturday or Sunday early in the morning when you are fresh and ready to hunt down those specials.
25. Buy products that can be used in different ways
Take the wonderful and humble potato. You can make French fries, bake potato, jacket potato, mashed potato and eve knocci if you are feeling fancy.
26. Buy packets of soup and sauce
You get the most delicious marinades, soups and pasta sauces in packets. Why spend money on all the ingredients to make a barbeque sauce for your meat when you can simply spend less on a packet of sauce. Besides, it is much easier and quicker to make.
27. Buy cake premixes
If you would like to spoil the family with something, buy a cake mix and instead make cupcakes. You will be able to make about 20 or so cupcakes at about R1.75 per cupcake, and the icing is included!
28. Prepare for leftovers
Try to plan and buy products for your meals in a way so that you have leftover to take for lunch. This will save you money from having to purchase lunch as well.
29. Buy your snacks smartly
Snacks is the one thing that can become quite expensive. So, when you are packing your lunch be sure to pack a proper meal that will keep your fed for a while, eat breakfast before leaving for work and purchase inexpensive snacks. Yes, biltong is very much out of the question.
30. Know your expiry dates
Not many people know how long frozen meat can last in the freezer and throw out food unwisely. You have to know how long certain meats can last when frozen and plan your purchases around that.
Now you have a collection of 30 tips to keep you from overspending the next time you enter a grocery store.
