6 ways to outsmart your supermarket on price
A lot of time, money, research and planning goes into the setup of supermarket chains. Odds are your local Countdown, New World or Pak'N Save has a number of design features designed to tempt you into making unnecessary purchases and impulse buys.
The good news is with a bit of foresight and willpower you can come out on top. Here are six ways you can outsmart your supermarket and leave with more in your hip pocket.
1. Shop with a basket, instead of a trolley
Larger supermarket trolleys have been found to subconsciously encourage customers to buy more. By shopping with a basket instead of a trolley you won’t be able to fit as much in, and therefore be more discerning when making purchases.
2. Start your shop in the middle of the store
Bring colours and tempting smells in the bakery or produce section (generally located at the front of the store) can tempt you into buying more. Instead, start your shop in the middle of the store with the less vibrant foods that’s boxed and canned.
3. Buy in bulk (but only after doing the math)
Buying certain items in bulk can end up saving you a lot of money, so if there’s a sale on offer (especially when it comes to food that can be preserved) make sure you take advantage of it. Before you make the purchase however, make sure you do a little bit of math (even if it’s just running the sums on your phone calculator) to make sure it’s worth your while.
4. Generic products
Many generic brands have no discernible difference to their comparative brand named products and can offer big savings over time.
5. Always pay for your groceries in cash
Withdrawing money before you enter the shop (just enough cash to cover your list) makes impulse buys impossible and is the best way to ensure you stick to your budget.
6. Never (ever) shop hungry
You’ve probably heard this one dozens of times before, but it makes a lot of sense. Shopping hungry will make every packaged morsel seem intensely appealing and dramatically increase the likelihood of you making an unnecessary impulse buy.
Do you agree with these tips? How do you make sure you don’t end up spending too much money in the supermarket? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you.
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