The recent drought, the worst in over three decades, has negatively impacted SA’s agriculture industry and pushed food prices higher, due to certain crop shortages. Here are ways to decrease your monthly grocery bill:
- Don’t shop when you’re hungry. Have a snack or a meal beforehand to prevent impulsive purchases.
- Make a list of all the grocery items that need replacing throughout the month to avoid forgetting anything and having to return to the store. A list will also prevent you straying to other aisles and making unnecessary purchases.
- Bigger shops equal more choice. Larger stores and hypermarkets offer a wider variety of brands, making it easier to find bargains and compare prices. You can also get all your shopping done in one place, so that you don’t over-spend at another store.
- Use your calculator to add up prices as you put items into your trolley so that you stay within your budget. Round off every item to the next rand, so that you’re definitely within your limit.
Make smart comparisons: be wary of price and value. Don’t blindly purchase cheaper items, as you may either lose out on a deal or find yourself having to replace an item sooner. Non-perishable items like flour, oil, pasta, rice, sugar and washing powder should be bought in larger quantities (eg 2kg instead of 1kg). Rather skimp on tinned foods, milk, herbs, spices and other perishables by choosing cheaper or no-name brands.
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