Supermarkets use tricks to get you spending more money
Let’s talk about how to spend less on groceries. One thing for sure, supermarkets aren’t planning on ways to show you how to spend less on groceries. Is anyone doing their grocery shopping on a budget? – This question has become common in conversation around a dinner table with friends.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of simple ways to either stay within your budget ( assuming you have set one ! ) or beat the supermarkets at their own game.
There is definitely a retail psychology around getting customers to spend more from their wallets, whilst letting you also believe you have grabbed a grocery deal at the same time.
So who could use a few simple tips to understand how to spend less money on groceries? I am sure that was a resounding ME.
One of the strategies used by supermarkets is using good warm lighting, and colourful well presented fresh foods to entice you to a specific area.
Another approach is to place the more expensive items or optional items at your eye level on the shelves.
A common food retail saying is “eye level, is buy level”.
And don’t forget the supermarket promo items or grocery deal items that are displayed at the end of the aisle – just waiting to catch your eye and dollars on the way past !
Suppliers actually pay bigger dollars to retailers, just to gain access to this position in the supermarket – that means it sells.
Okay, so let’s jump to those tips we mentioned earlier – all pretty easy to follow, meaning you will save money quickly.
7 simple tips showing you how to spend less on groceries
1. Set a weekly grocery budget
One of the first and most important tips about money, is how you intend to use what you have – and that includes groceries.
Okay, so setting a grocery budget will depend on a variety of factors. How big is your family, where do you live, what’s your salary?
Even the types of food you or your family prefer to eat will directly impact your budget.
This may become a work in progress, but you might be surprised how many people don’t have such a budget.
Have a look at this article about an average grocery bill for a starting point. See if you agree with the general results of what others are spending.
Given that the average Australian family of 4 in 2021 spends around 10% or more of their salary on groceries, you have to get this right.
When you get it right, you save more and spend less!
Just another step along your journey to make better money decisions and save more spend less by shopping for groceries on a budget.
2. Shop for groceries online
Get out your phone, download a grocery app for your chosen supermarket and start saving. How do I start saving you ask ?
You save, because online you have total control of the items you wish to buy, taking away that impulse shopping reaction if you were pushing your trolley down the aisle.
Better still, if you have younger kids it’s a much more relaxing shopping experience, not having to amuse the little ones as you search the grocery shelves.
AND you can arrange an agreed collection time at the supermarket, or even have the groceries delivered for a small fee. That’s convenience and smarter spending!
Some supermarkets don’t even charge a delivery fee if you spend a minimum amount.
If you do decide to go down the online shopping route, make sure to read the following tip BEFORE you shop online.
3. Check what's in the pantry - make a shopping list
Always have a look through the pantry before shopping and check what you already have on hand.
You don’t want to end up with unnecessary or extra items, because that just wastes your money.
It’s also a chance to check that any perishable items are not out of date, or close to being so.
Doing a pantry check helps you decide which meals you might want to cook this week and then you can shop to match those meals.
This is how you spend less on groceries, by buying just enough for what you need.
Time for a show of hands.
Raise your hand if you have extra cans of diced tomatoes, or extra jars of honey etc. because you didn’t check first ?
Don’t worry because you are not the only one!
Yup, it’s not just you don’t worry. Do yourself a favour and check the pantry before shopping.
You might even just find something special to make for dinner tonight.
So let’s assume you have checked that pantry. What’s next you ask ?
Well, it’s time to make a shopping list. That’s the really easy part of this tip. The bigger challenge is sticking to the list!
And a shopping list is great for the online shopping option, or even when you visit your local supermarket.
Stick to your list, because that is a list of items that you have decided you NEED to buy, not WANT to buy.
It’s also a good tip to checkout the supermarket specials before you head out and match them to the items you actually need.
You can then prepare a cheap or value shopping list to help out your budget. Remember your challenge is to stick to it!
It’s okay to still buy some fun treats, like chocolates or ice creams, but make sure they are on the list before you head inside the store.
You will be surprised how good you will personally feel when you achieve buying just the items on your list.
It may take a couple of shopping trips to get this right. But stick to the process, because this is how to spend less on groceries!
4. Don't shop when you are hungry!
Sounds too easy right?
But it makes a lot of sense. If your tummy is grumbling for food as you hit the supermarket, imagine what’s going to happen.
Your list and focus gets diverted to filling that immediate need for food. And that’s just extra money you didn’t NEED to spend.
If you absolutely have no choice about having an empty tummy as you begin shopping, hit the fresh food section and just grab a banana.
It’s healthy and cost effective too. Even more important if you have the kids with you too – that’s multiple tummies looking for immediate satisfaction.
Some supermarkets offer a FREE piece of fruit for the kids too!
5. Weekly meal plan
This can take some practice, effort and time.
It’s a busy fast paced world if you have a job, family and house to run. But the simple fact is, if you can get this right, you will save money.
You don’t need to become a 5 star chef, or even produce a different variety of meal each night.
Planning meal quantities and side items for your plate, means you only buy what you need.
Keep your meals simple and tasty, enough that they don’t need lots of different additives or spices.
Half a dozen regular spices can create a huge variety of meals. You can also choose meals that you can cross purpose those bottles of oregano, basil, pepper or sauces and pastes.
Don’t forget to freeze any leftovers.
It’s also a good plan to cook extra food and have that in your freezer for last minute dinner ideas. It’s saves that temptation of ordering take out! More money available to save.
6. Bulk buying can get you a grocery discount
Buying bulk groceries can be a good way to save dollars. It does come with a few small challenges, but worth the effort.
Family homes are busy enough right? But imagine if you could get to the stage of writing a monthly grocery list. Sounds hard doesn’t it?
However, once you master this task it opens up a world of bulk shopping discounts!
A great supermarket example for buying bulk groceries is to go Costco shopping. To do this, you will need a Costco annual membership, currently AUD$60.
This entitles you to grocery, fuel and fast food discounts at their warehouses worldwide.
Pretty sure the membership cost will be saved in the first month!
The challenges of bulk shopping are mostly:
- adequate fridge/freezer space
- having available money to buy in bulk
- space in your vehicle to get the groceries home
- sticking to items you NEED, not just grabbing that bargain you see
Given the savings available, it’s definitely worth the effort to consider bulk buying as an option.
7. Try supermarket brands
We all have our favourite food brands. Whether it’s a cheese, or cereal or coffee brand.
Generally a national branded product comes with a premium price tag and is not always a better tasting product for the $$.
So have you tried supermarket or private brand products yet? There is a reasonable amount of money to save here.
It’s a growing trend worldwide, as retailers focus on their profit margins, whilst simultaneously offering customers dollar savings.
There is a potential downside for smaller businesses. They may see their product disappear from retailer shelves as a result of the private brand expansion.
So if you agree ethically with this supermarket approach, try the private or supermarket brand products.
Always search for specials or deals
One final bonus tip for grocery shopping on a budget. It may seem almost too obvious this one. But we all lead busy lives and time is precious, so we don’t always take the necessary time to hunt down bargains.
There is always a grocery deal for you. Or a supermarket promo to be grabbed.
It’s the retailers way of enticing you to spend more.
Just be strong willed and buy the discount food article and be on your way. Or stick to that shopping list you made above!
Shopping late in the day will offer up some great bargains on bakery items, dairy and meats.
They are always keen to clear out these items. Sometimes they are about to hit their use by date. Or the is best sold fresh, and they clear out the space for tomorrow.
Best part about these bargains, you can mostly freeze them for later use. Items such as bread, pizza, bread rolls.
You can even freeze products like cheeses and milk if you want to! However, there are few handy dairy freezing tips worth noting that explains the process to follow.
The same principle applies to fresh produce, although the quality may suffer slightly as it will be older. It just depends on your use for the product.
If you are adding tomatoes to a casserole for example, the quality change is not too much to notice. But if you plan a nice salad, you would probably prefer better quality product.
So keep in mind that bargain time of day – look for the savings appearing daily!
Hope you have enjoyed reading these simple tips on How To Spend Less On Groceries. You will be surprised how easily you can accumulate a bunch of savings every week.
NOW you need to consider what to do with the extra money you will save!
Watch our Articles for upcoming suggestions on Using Your Savings.
