As you know, food prices are on the rise and everyone is suffering as a result. It might be time to rethink your shopping habits to get the most out of your money.
- Cook at home. Home-cooked meals are more nutritious and work out cheaper than shop-bought ready-made meals or takeaways. Make meals out of fresh produce and freeze what’s left over. And where better to find inspiration for home-cooked meals than our recipe section?
- Do a bit of homework before going out shopping. You might be missing out on vital products that are on special, or maybe you can find your regular products cheaper elsewhere in the neighbourhood. Look at brochures and flyers in your local newspaper to locate the best specials.
- Leave the children at home. Children can become cranky in supermarkets and demand sweets and unnecessary extras.
- Find out if your supermarket offers a rewards programme or points system and use these to your full advantage to get the most out of your chosen supermarket.
- Make a list. This is such an age-old piece of advice when it comes to sensible grocery shopping, but it works. Shops are often filled with tempting products that you really didn’t need in the first place. Draw up a simple meal plan for the week ahead, decide what you need from the shops and stick to your list.
- Do not go to the shops on an empty stomach. Another piece of advice used ad nauseam, but we all know the scenario: you’re starving and quickly nip into the supermarket for a few ingredients for supper. Your massive craving for chips can’t be contained and before you know it, you’re walking out with snacks that weren’t on your list or your budget. We’ve all done it! Make sure you’re full when you do grocery shopping.
- Buying in bulk isn’t always the best. It’s not always true that bulk sizes work out cheaper than smaller quantities. Do your research carefully and determine your family’s needs so that you don’t waste. A kilogram of butternuts on special might be a good deal, but if you are not planning on cooking butternut soup in bulk, rather go for smaller quantities of fresh produce you will actually eat.
