Saving Money on the Groceries and Shopping Tips
Many people now realise that Aldi is a fantastic place to shop and save money on everyday grocery items. They have their own brands for numerous household items that people buy week in week out. Whilst the range and quality has improved greatly over the years I still don’t know anyone who can do all their grocery shopping at just Aldi.
Whether it is a particular item they don’t stock, or a favourite brand you simply can’t do without, most of us will still need to venture into one of the other large supermarket chains to get everything we need for the household.
So before we head off to buy Lindt balls and Kettle chips, there are some basic supermarket tips we can all learn to save ourselves money at the checkout. With some careful planning and implementing some of the following strategies it is possible to save money on groceries and still enjoy your favourites!
Shopping Lists
Saving money on groceries starts before we walk into the supermarket whether it be Aldi or not. Many of us are used to making a shopping list. It helps us remember the tuna we need for tomorrow night’s dinner and is supposed to stop impulse buying for things we don’t need. But few of us realize the way we put this shopping list together is equally important.
Firstly obtain a copy of the weekly specials for the supermarket chains you plan to visit. Coles and Woolworths letter drop pamphlets on a weekly basis to many suburbs, but they are also available online. Then write up your shopping list in columns according to the different supermarkets, making note of what is on special at each supermarket. This way, before you head off to the supermarket you will not only have a list of the items you need to buy but also from which supermarket you will be purchasing each item from.
Don’t expect to do all your shopping from one supermarket. Sure it is a bit more running around, but the savings are worth it, and these days many shopping centers and malls have at least 2 or 3 of the different supermarket chains under the same roof.
Interesting fact
Statistics show that where there is an Aldi, Coles and Woolworths in the same complex are generally cheaper than Coles and Woolworths in a shopping center where there is no Aldi. The same applies to specialty chicken shops, butchers and fruit markets. So even if you don’t plan on shopping at Aldi, at least try to shop at a center where there is an Aldi.
Timing is everything to save
The day and time of day you shop can also save you money. Try to do your grocery shopping towards the end of the week. The new weekly specials begin on a Monday but it often takes a few days for them to mark out all the specials on the shelves. Also most supermarket and specialty shops do their own comparisons with their competitors so often you find more things are on special towards the end of the week.
Shopping later in the day can also save you money at the supermarket. In particular bread, cakes and pastries are heavily marked down in the early evening. This is a great time to buy and you should stock up for future use. If you freeze these items on the same day you buy them not only will you never run out of bread or desert when an unexpected visitor pops in, but they will taste as fresh as the day they were baked. The same applies to barbeque chickens. They are marked down to half price in the evening and they too can be frozen. Great for an emergency dinner, or for adding variety to a soup next week!
Try to do one big shop fortnightly or once a week if you have to. If you have stocked up on bread you should only need to run in for milk until the next designated big grocery shopping day.
Try to limit the amount of ‘extras’ you buy on these days by not using a trolley and using the store basket they provide at the front of the store. This way you physically cannot carry too many extra items and you are not tempted as you make your way to the milk, which coincidently is deliberately placed towards the back of the store. Supermarkets deliberately place essentials such as milk towards the back of the store to make you walk further and tempt you to buy other things as you make your way to these items. Similarly the most expensive brands are placed at eye level so make sure you scan ALL the shelves.
Big shopping no no!
Lastly and most importantly don’t shop when you hungry and try not to shop with the children, unless of course you plan on bribing them!
How do you save your family money?
We would be interested to hear how your family saves money with their groceries?
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5 Responses for Saving Money on the Groceries and Shopping Tips
Interesting article and in this time of global financial crisis, very timely.
One way to save money is to buy your groceries online. You save because research shows there is less impulse shopping and people buy to their list more. If you are smart, you can also look for free delivery slots and by signing up to all the delivery companies you’ll often get money off offers by email.
Apparently the best day to shop at the larger supermarkets is a Friday. That’s the day they put up their weekend specials.
Rose is correct many supermarkets do have 2 day specials. As a department manager of a large grocery chain, I can tell you these are fantastic. Sometimes 50% off the original price. I would however like to say if you are flexible and change your day of shopping each week you can save thousands of dollars in just one year.
Try to buy in bulk at all possible opportunities, and if you see a product that is a popular brand and product/item, and it is heavily marked down, then buy big and stock up, because most people will buy one or two of these items each shop whatever the product/item is.
Buying food in bulk to save money is a fantastic option Wayne. I try and always buy the essentials (Toilet paper, Canned Soup, Tissues, Soap and more) in big bulk purchases, that way I know I will have them on hand at all times and ideally save some money by buying in bulk.
Are there any websites available for bulk buying items and groceries in Australia?
