30 Ways you can save when buying groceries Part 1

Groceries unfortunately form a necessity when it comes to spending, one that needs to be fulfilled every month. Here are fifteen ways you can already save when doing grocery shopping. Keep an eye on our blog and we will give you fifteen more!

1. Do some personal stock taking

Go through your pantry, fridge and cupboard and make a list of what you do have and how you can use those items to stretch them a bit further.

2. Gather all the specials pamphlets from all the grocery stores

Don’t only look through one store’s specials for the month, another store might have an even better special running on the same product. Go through everything and mark the interesting specials.

3. Plan your meals around the specials

Instead of planning your meals first, seek the specials you are interested in and plan your meals around those instead.

4. Get creative

Think of ways you can use some of the items you own to make them last longer. Take chicken fillets for instance, instead of using them whole to make chicken burgers, grind the chicken into a mince in a food processor and make chicken patties or meatballs.

5. Shop only once a week

Or less, is possible. Avoid going to the store more than once a week because it is then when you buy uncessary things.

6. Make a list and stick to it

Make a list of what you need and stick to it. It is much easier to focus on your list when shopping instead of your mind drifing off to things you don’t need. However, when you write certain luxuries on the list, ask yourself twice whether you really need that item.

7. Review your last receipts

In order to sort out where you have over spent, review your till slips and calculate your purchases. This way you will know what is the most expensive and to seek a cheaper substitute.

8. Buy cheaper brands

We have all come to know, and some of us love, the no-name products. These are products with no branding which are much cheaper and sometimes better than the real brands. Don’t pay unnecessary money on brightly coloured packaging.

9. Compare prices

Make a list of the essentials you purchase every month, such as milk, eggs, bread etc and go to at least 3 or 4 markets and compare prices. You would be surprised at how much the prices differ from store to store.

10. Beware of buy three get one free promotions

And any other promotion for that matter. Before diving into a special, calculate whether the money you will save is actually a fair amount otherwise you will be cheated.

11. Weigh the price

Do not only look at the price on the sticker when buying meat. Instead, look at the price per kilogram. This is the surest way to know whether this meat is a worthy buy.

12. Get coupons

Go on sites such as Groupon and go on the hunt for any coupons you can get your hands on. However, make sure the coupon is worth the effort. Getting 50cents off your next can of tomatoes isn’t really such a fine deal.

13. Beware bulk buying

Yes, it is wise to have a stock but unwise to overstock. Especially when it comes to meat. Many stores tend to put meat and other products that are close to the expiry date on sale. Sometimes half of the produce ends up going bad while the other half ends up wasting because everyone in the house has grown tired of noodle soup.

14. Get a loyalty or smart shopper card

Many stores love rewarding loyal customers. Although you have to spend a lot before you actually accumulate points that actually mean something to you, you are still getting something back. That’s all that counts. With a little patience and smart shopping, you would be surprised how much money you end up saving on your card.

15. Map out your route

Make sure you know the entire layout of the store well. Grocery stores place their products in such a way as to encourage spending money on nonsense. Be sure to avoid soft drink, candy and biscuit aisles. Keep your head down and in the game.

Do you have some grocery saving tips to share with us? Join the conversation!