We give you some tips on how you can be savvier at the supermarket and save cash next time you shop.
The weekly shop can be particularly frustrating for those on a budget because it’s so hard not to fall for the special offers and tempting treats that supermarkets use to trick us into parting with our hard earned cash.
However once you learn a few straightforward tips you should be able to navigate your way to the tills without piling your trolley full of things you don’t really need to buy, and significantly cut the cost of your supermarket shop - we show you how.
Alter your mindset
Psychology plays a large part in what we buy when walking the aisles – the supermarkets know this and use it to their advantage. However if you are aware of their tactics you can try to stay in control of what you choose to buy. For example:
- Goods placed at the end of aisles, especially those that are brightly coloured, are eye-catching. They're designed to make you stop and think about whethr you could do with stocking up on whatever is being sold.
- Clever product placement means that you may be tempted to pick up last-minute items at the checkout, or persuaded into buying a delicious-smelling pack of donuts on your way to the bread section.
- More expensive branded products are generally placed at eye level to make you more likely to buy. Similarly products aimed at children will be placed at children’s eye level so make sure you scour the shelves for the best deal before you buy.
- Offers such as BOGOF (Buy One Get One Free) entice you to buy products you don’t really need, by 'conning' you into thinking it’s too good an offer to pass up.
- Staple goods such as bread and milk are usually spread around the store rather than being stocked in one convenient place. This means you have to walk throughout the shop even just to pick up basics so it's more likely you'll be tempted by things you didn’t come in to buy.
Plan your shop
Writing a shopping list before you venture into the supermarket could potentially save you a considerable amount of money, because you are less likely to impulse-buy. Better still, plan the meals that you are going to have for the week and buy accordingly. Train yourself not to stray from the list or be lured into buying whatever’s on sale.
Look through your store cupboards before you go so you only list what you actually need. Therefore when you are in the supermarket you’ll know whether you need to stock up on cooking oil, for example, or if you already have some at home.
It may sound obvious, but doing your food shopping on an empty stomach is bound to make you spend more than you need to. Shopping when hungry will make every item seem appetising, from the cheesecakes in the dessert aisle to the tinned tomatoes at the back of the store. So plan to do your shop on a full stomach to minimise the risk of impulse-buys.
Make the most of discounts
Most supermarkets will have a reduced section where items close to their sell-by date will be dramatically reduced. It’s definitely worth having a look as there’s always a chance you could snap up a bargain. What’s more, if an item is close to its sell-by date but you don’t anticipate using it that day, you can always put it in your freezer until you are ready for it.
You should however approach attention-grabbing sales with caution, such as BOGOFs and offers like 2 for £2. First of all figure out if it really is a good deal (sometimes items might be marked as 2 for £2 but only cost £1.02 or so each anyway – a saving of 2p is probably not worth you stocking up unless you really needed 2 of them in the first place).
Then ask yourself honestly if you would have bought that item regardless of the offer. If it was already on your shopping list then you’ve found a good deal, but if not then you are probably just buying something you don’t really need.
Change your shopping habits
Sometimes abandoning a habit in favour of trying something new can completely overhaul the way you spend. You might try doing your supermarket shop online instead, for example. This can potentially save you money because it reduces the temptation of impulse-buying – that chocolate éclair won’t look half as appealing when viewed on your computer screen. On the other hand you may find online supermarket shopping a time-consuming business, or dislike not being able to sample your fruit and vegetables in your own hands.
Another habit you might want to scrap in the name of supermarket budgeting is shopping for the ‘deluxe’ or branded items. You might try the supermarket brand of a particular product and find that it is just as good or sometimes better than the branded alternative, and supermarket brands are always considerably cheaper.
You also might benefit from shopping for fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables at your local market stall or taking part of a local box scheme, instead of using your supermarket. As well as being much lower in price, market stall produce tends to be fresher and will present a good selection of what’s in season. Alternatively you could take up gardening and grow your own produce – a practice that could save you significant amounts of money in the long-run.
It can also be a good idea to take out a specific amount of cash for your shopping, instead of bringing your credit card with you. In this way you won’t be able to spend more than your set amount and will think more carefully about everything you buy – a sure-fire way to stay under budget (although a calculator may be necessary!).
Reward yourself
If you shop somewhere regularly, there’s no reason not to take advantage of any rewards or loyalty schemes that are on offer. If you use your reward card every time you shop you’ll get regular vouchers for money off; and although these won’t seem like much at first, they will quickly mount up if you do your majority of your shopping at one store.
If you rein in your supermarket spending it’s likely you’ll start eating better too – especially if you buy smaller portions of food and increase your intake of cheaper alternatives such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and pulses. Ready meals are also undeniably expensive, whereas fresh ingredients for home-cooked meals are infinitely cheaper. In this way, tightening up your supermarket spending could benefit your health as well as your wallet.
