One of the largest component of a household’s budget is grocery shopping. How many times have you gone to the shops to buy the weekly groceries only to find that when everything is tallied up at the checkout it’s far more than you thought? Smart, savvy shopping is not difficult to do – all it takes is a bit of planning and some thought. You will be surprised at how much you save if you just take some time to organise yourself before you head to the shops. So how do you save money shopping for groceries? 1. Write a list Yes, we have all heard this before, but trust me, it really does work! Write a list of what you need before you head to the shops - you will find that you will focus on what is on that list and reduce your chance of impulse buying. Shops are specially designed to entice you to buy items that you don’t think you need until you see them and it is these impulse buys that will always end up blowing your budget. 2. Buy in bulk when on special Again, sounds like commonsense but a lot of people don’t do it. For example, if toilet paper is on special, don’t just buy 2 packets – buy 6 or even 8! If you can afford to, it will save you money in the long run (not to mention you don’t need to top up your stash for a while!) 3. Markets are king – but the right markets are the key… Yes, you can save a lot of money buying your fruit and veggies at a market. But be careful, markets in obviously tourist oriented precincts will be more expensive than a local farmer’s market. But you can save a fortune buying at these markets – not only are the prices good, the produce is often better. 4. Sharing is caring If you can go to a mega mart like Costco, you can save a fortune on ordinary household items. However, the problem with these places is that you have to buy so much that it can put you off. The solution? Take a friend and share the cost and the quantity (plus it’s fun to shop with others!). 5. Compare cost per item This is a pain if the shops around you don’t do this, but if you can work out the cost per item, it helps you to compare different brands of the same product. Calculating the cost per item can help you decide which product to buy –of course, you need to take into account the quality of the product, but if cost is your only consideration, this can help take the confusion away. 6. Talk to others! Sometimes the best way to learn where the bargains are is to ask people! Don’t just stick with your local supermarket. For example, rice is often cheaper at Asian grocery stores (because you buy them in bulk) than in the supermarket. Ask around and see where everyone else is shopping. I hope the above tips help you shop smarter – you may not think you are saving a lot per week, but it does all add up. So take some time and plan your grocery trips. Your wallet will thank you!
Article Source: http://www.bizymoms.com/expert-advice
Michelle Chan is a qualified accountant, mother and wife who juggles home life with part time work and a beautiful baby girl. Check out her blog at Kateyboo for her thoughts on motherhood, enterpreneurship and life in general!