subject: 10 Tips to save money on your supermarket bill [print this page] 10 Tips to save money on your supermarket bill
Follow these 10 simple steps to reduce the cost of your food bill.
1: Plan you meals:
Take so time at the end of the week to decide what meals you are going to have each day in advance this will not only save time during the week but also allow you to trim the fat so to speak from your food bill. This is because you will know what you need but even more importantly what you don't need.
2: Write a list:
It is very important to write a list. I am always shocked at the amount of times my wife goes shopping without a list and always comes back with items we don't need. Oh and by the way don't forget to bring the list with you
3: Plan your route:
When you are writing you list try to imagine your journey through the supermarket or store. Now order the food items in the order of your route. This will save time in the long run and will also mean avoiding unnecessary items that may tempt you as you criss-cross the store.
4: Store own brands:
Not many people realise but in many occasion the store's own brand product is produced in the same factory as the branded item. As such this means in many occasions you can get the same quality item for a lower price.
5: Two for one's:
Here is one occasion where you can be allowed to spend more than you were planning to, with one or two provisos
a: It's already on your list already
b: It's something that can be easily stored or frozen.
The thing to remember about this tip is that you will not see the saving until your next shopping trip, when you won't have to buy that item.
6: Collect points wisely:
Many stores now have loyalty schemes where you can build up points and are rewarded for shopping at their store. This can be very useful especially if you shop at the same store each week/month. You will also find from time to time the store will have extra promotions to boast you points make sure you make the most of these
7: Keeping your points for Christmas
It's up to the shopper when is best to use their points and how it fits their lifestyle. However for most people Christmas is the most expensive shop of the year.
Most stores will allow you to defer all your points to this time of year. This will help soften the blow at a very expensive time of year.
8: Shop online
Most stores will charge for delivering your goods; however the cost of this can often be offset by the fact that you are saving petrol and more importantly the temptation of buying extra items is removed as you will not need to pass other items to get to the items you need. It's also a great way to compare like for like items.
9: Use local suppliers
Most people shop at supermarkets because they are convenient and cheap. But on this second point this is not always so. By spending some time you can shop at butchers, greengrocers and markets. Not only will this produce usually be local and potential of better quality it is not always dearer many local suppliers will offer deals that are worth checking out.
It is also useful to by small items that you by regularly by e.g. Milk & bread. By buying these items from you local shop it will not only save you going to the supermarket it will stop you buying anything else while you are there that you don't need.
10: Use everything you bought last time
It is amazing how much food is wasted in our country. One of the reasons for this is most people will go shopping each week/month whether they need to or not. Before you go shopping see what you actually have in the freezer or cupboard.
You may be shocked to see you have enough to make another meal or two
