Buy what is on the list and give yourself a small reward for sticking to the list. E.g. 1 item not on the list only per shopping trip. To make a list for the first time takes a little effort, but here is how to do it…
- Decide on the number of meals you eat at home in a month. Usually 1 meal per day.
- Split your list into categories, the isles in the shop are normally set out in this way too. Frozen foods, fridge goods, grocery items, snacks, cleaning materials, bathroom items are all excellent section headings.
- Tick off items as you add them to your trolley.
Shop less often
Buy for the whole month on 1 trip and by bread and milk weekly not daily. Every time you enter a store you are tempted to buy something extra, limit your excursions. This saves petrol too!
Dealing with Kids in the shop
If your children ask for sweets at the shop, tell them to spend their pocket money on it, they will quickly realise sweets actually cost money and will limit their spend for themselves. Buying sweets daily at the shop is an expense you should not be incurring.
Bulk Buying
Buy in bulk….some places like Fruit and Veg city offer larger quantities for lower prices, sadly the product does not usually last too long. Shops like Makro sell bulk goods at prices your local shop get them at. Shop for your neighbours or family too, when you go shopping split what you bought and swap with your friends or family, they need to buy too and if you can pay the lower prices and share the cost you all win. Take turns at going to the store and splitting the food. Try different things to see what works best for you.
Lunchtime
Buy lunch box items so you don’t give tuck money, this is expensive….add a days tuck money per week to your child’s pocket money and ensure they use their own money when they want tuck. Pack lunch for yourself everyday as opposed to buying lunch, treat yourself if you do by going out for lunch or supper once a month.
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