Food prices always seem to be on the rise and a trip to the supermarket can be an expensive experience. There are a number of ways to ease the cost each month though by using coupons, loyalty cards, shopping at certain times of the day and setting challenges and goals.
The best place to start is to look at how much is being spent each month at the moment. Gather all the till receipts over the coming month and add it all up. Online personal finance software is a great tool to assist you. Include trips to any store where food is sold including local corner shops where quick visits for bread and milk have taken place.
After you have all the receipts, challenge yourself to reduce your spend each month. Start with a small reduction such as £20 and then take it from there. Many people aren’t aware of how to reduce their spend and so see the bills increase rather than decrease as items become more expensive.
A great way to save money is to find out when fresh produce is reduced each day. Every supermarket has certain times of the day when fruit, vegetables, bakery items, meat and dairy are reduced. There will then be a further reduction a few hours later when day to day items such as bread can often be bought for pennies. Although the items are short dated, they can be put in the freezer for the future. Don’t be shy about asking what time the reductions take place – they don’t keep it a secret and will be happy to tell you.
Signing up for a supermarket loyalty card will mean that you save as you shop. All major supermarkets have a scheme and it’s about finding the best one for you. You’ll be rewarded with money off vouchers or codes specific to the items you regularly buy and you can often use them online as well as at your local store.
If you buy branded or premium labelled items, there is a good chance that you could just be paying for the name or the packaging. Many own brand or budget brand items are often very similar to their more expensive cousins and you can save by ‘downshifting’ each time you shop. If you currently buy branded baked beans for example, switch to the supermarket own brand. If you buy own brand, downshift to the budget equivalent. Try the product and if you like it, carry on saving by buying again or even continue downshifting another level. If you feel you and your family don’t like a cheaper product, return to the previous one but carry on saving with all the other items you put into the trolley.
When you decide to organise your finances to start to save money on the shopping each month, you may feel you need an emergency injection of cash to pay such things as utility bills to give you a fresh start. Consider guaranteed payday loans as a way of easing your way into your new financial adventure as they will provide the solution to a financial shortfall. You can then start to save your way to financial freedom from your visits to the supermarket and know you will easily be able to afford to repay the loan on your next pay day with the savings you’ve already made.
This article was provided by http://www.thewigleyfamily.com