Prepare
Before you leave home, make sure you have very clear boundaries on the following:
• Budget: this is very important. 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, it is a general rule of thumb that if you buy in bulk, you save on cost 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 is to 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’s going to save you money. Having a well-thought out list will keep you from temptation. As much as it
can, anyway!
Where
So 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? Well, your choices, really, can be broken down into the following:
• Big chains: and you know the ones we mean! In terms of convenience and brand variety, you really can’t go wrong with big names like 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 week night — a lot of produce is marked down in order to offload it before the new shopping day. If you’re really serious about saving, though, best to 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 multinational corps. They do, however, sometimes stop you from buying things that 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 needs. If you have one nearby, do a shop there and prepare to be pleasantly surprised at the variety and impressive savings. Generally market fruit and veg sells at over $1/kg less than in supermarkets.
• Aldi: always save the best ‘til last! If you’ve never ventured into an Aldi supermarket, try it. You can save at least $1 on each and every item, meaning you save 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 any or all brands. If you can do that with everything from hair products to deodorant to margarine, then you’ll become a firm Aldi fan. You can drop in for a box of cereal or do your full monthly shop. Just be prepared for the checkout — it can be a bit daunting for a first-timer with a trolley-load of goods. 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.
Some final tips:
• Consider making your own wherever you can. For example, with a box of soap flakes, a few drops of eucalyptus oil and some methylated spirits, you have your own wool mix. Invest in a household tips/bargain shopping guide — these offer endless economical tips that have the added benefit of generally being a lot better for our environment.
• What do you spend the most money on in your grocery bill? For most people the answer is immediate — healthcare or cosmetic goods. Consider ways of going without, making yourself or just simply extending a product’s lifespan. Razor blades, for example, are very expensive. If you soak the blade in ordinary cooking oil, however, the blade doesn’t rust and so stays sharper for longer. A blade that may have only lasted a couple of weeks with frequent use can last for up to three months like this, saving you on costly regular replacements.
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THE ORIGINAL AND THE BEST
