TIP SHEET: SUPERMARKET SHOPPING

Sadly, in these times of drought in Australia, it seems the price of groceries seems to go up with every visit to the supermarket. But being very savvy shoppers already, we certainly don’t need to tell you why or even exactly how to save money on your groceries. In fact, most of you have likely developed a few of your own tricks and secrets — we’d like to hear them and you can email us at the address below. Here’s an easy-to-follow guide for bargain shoppers new and veteran alike, so read on. There may well be something here even the most experienced shopper hasn’t thought of or dared to try yet.

PREPARE

Before you leave home, make sure you have very clear boundaries on the following:

• Budget: this is crucial. Set your budget and stick to it. Allocate what you can reasonably spend in one shop and plan for exactly when your next shop will be — weekly, fortnightly or monthly. In terms of bargains, a general rule of thumb is that if you buy in bulk you save, so keep that in mind when planning your shopping budget and schedule. If you start running out of food before the next scheduled shop, take a closer look at what’s left in your pantry, fridge and freezer. Chances are you’ll come up with something to get you through and you’ll surprise yourself with your own creativity and resourcefulness. The most important thing? Stick to the budget and related schedule.
• Shopping list: this works much the same as your budget. Plan it well and stick to it as much as you can. Unlike your budget, however, you can compromise with your shopping list if, for example, you see a special offer/sale item and so on. Make your shopping list as comprehensive and general as possible and only vary from the theme if it will save you money. Having a well-thought out list will keep you from temptation. As much as it can, anyway!
• Never shop when you are hungry: we know it can be difficult but this stops you impulse buying unnecessary junk food, fast foods and chocolate. Well, perhaps we were a little too tough about the chocolate. Everyone needs a little reward sometimes for doing the shopping!

WHERE

You have your budget, your list and your schedule all in place — now where do you go to get the best value for your dollar?

• Big chains: you know the ones we mean. In terms of convenience and brand variety, you can’t go wrong with big names such as Coles and Woolies. And their regular “sale” prices can be competitive, as long as you’re there when it’s happening. A good time to go, if you can manage it, is after 9pm on a weeknight — a lot of fresh produce is marked down in order to offload it before the next shopping day. If you’re really serious about saving, though, avoid the big chains altogether as even their sale prices can’t come close to savings you can make elsewhere.
• Small independents/markets: small independent supermarkets are generally more expensive than even the multi-national corps. They do, however, sometimes stop you from buying things you don’t really need. Your choice is limited and you’re not bombarded with a hundred different brands and sales gimmicks, so consider popping into your local shop if you just need a few items and don’t want to be tempted with walking out with a trolleyful of non-essentials. Alternatively, fresh fruit and vegetable markets are fantastic for stocking up on all your fresh food. If you have one nearby, visit and prepare to be impressed at the variety and impressive savings. Generally market fruit and veg sells at more than $1/kg less than in supermarkets. Another tip is to visit the markets at the end of the day — you may pick up a big box of fresh fruit and vegies for a lot less, simply because the stall holder doesn’t want to pack it up.
• Aldi: we’ve saved the best ’til last! If you’ve never ventured into an Aldi supermarket, try it and be pleasantly surprised — it’s an experience. You can save at least $1 on every item, which adds up to savings of hundreds to thousands of dollars on your grocery bill each year. The big compromise that you have to make, though, is to give up any attachment you may have to brands. If you can do that with everything from hair products to deodorant to margarine, then you’ll become a firm Aldi fan. Just be prepared for the checkout — it can be a bit daunting for a first-timer with a trolley-load of goods, as you must pack your groceries yourself and, if you don’t use cash, you pay a card surcharge. Aldi fully supports Australian growers and farmers. Most outlets in Sydney now sell fresh fruit and veg at a fraction of the normal retail price and the quality is outstanding.