Practical Shopping Tips Collection

Bogof_Babe

You're in Scotland?

Smiley_Mum

Sure am!!!

Bogof_Babe

Oh great, I solved it! Thought you might be in Australia or NZ at one point!

Vermilion

I'm a convert to shopping trolleys since finding Rolser ones.

They are both very trendy and incredibly easy to use. Even when stuffed full I can pull mine along with one finger, the balance is so precise. Kerbs are no problem whatsoever and the packed trolley is very stable. it fits wonderfully on that little hook on supermarket trolleys. The bag is detachable and can be machine washed (well that is what I do without problem)

I believe it is popular all over Europe. They are not cheap but after a lifetime of using trolleys I think these are superb value for money. I have used mine regularly for a good few years now and it is still in very good condition. I previously had to renew them every couple of years or so. Rolsers are not easy to get hold of and I have had people stop me in the street to ask if I would sell mine, even though it is in one of the "less sexy" colours. The large supermarkets sometimes stock them but, when hunting them down for friends and family I have found the best source are small high street luggage shops. I just have to phone round a few of them.

Edit to add that I forgot to say, the one I have is the Mountain version (the exact same model and colour as the one on the home page, in fact). mail order link but I have never ordered from this company so am unable to comment on them.

Smiley_Mum

Thanks for the info Vermilion. I'll check out the Rolser ones when I have a bit of time. I feel a bit guilty that the threads gone off a bit so here's a practical shopping tip.

When you are going to the supermarket, make a little layout plan of the store stating where everything is and make up your list as you come to things in the store. Fruit and veg first etc etc, that way you get round the store quicker, so long as you stick with your list and don't get swayed by the offers, and so long as the store doesn't change the aisle layouts too often, which usually happens when they crank up the price on things. You are so busy looking for stuff that when you eventually reach what you are looking for after searching for ages you don't notice the price of it as you in such a flipping hurry to get out of the store.

filigree_2

Smiley_Mum wrote:

When you are going to the supermarket, make a little layout plan of the store stating where everything is and make up your list as you come to things in the store.

Sometimes supermarkets will provide you with a little map, along with the other leaflets they promote with recipes etc. This especially happens when the store has been refurbished.

I have a master shopping list (how sad am I) with all the usual items listed in aisle order. If I want to add something I can usually guess what aisle it is likely to be in, then write the list in the appropriate order.

Sarahsaver

Stick to the place you know is the cheapest - for example I can get 3 litres of milk for 99p near where I live, but the closest shop the same amount costs £1.35.
I use my wheeled bag(mini trolley I spose) when i go to the market.
Shop alone.
Get to know the best days for 'reduced to clear' items.
Keep cash in a purse for groceries.
Do your meal plan for the week THEN the shopping list - i.e. see how little you can get away with buying.
Have a couple of days of 'storecupboard' meals a week.
Don't do a 'big shop' just because you always have done. I have 3 kids, and I no longer do my fortnightly 'big shop' online - I have saved loads of money this way.
Dont completely rule out impulse purchases if they are not-to-be-missed and are a TRUE bargain - like my 6 big fat juicy lamb shanks I got today for £5. I will get several meals out of that.

Smiley_Mum

If you have only a few things in your basket, nothing to weigh, and all the main checkout queues look busy head to the newspaper checkout, usually no queue. Just gets you out of the store quicker and you'll spend less too.

16011996

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=3151&productId=136891&clickfrom=name

this is a cool and funky shopping trolley i just replaced my old one with. cheap too!!.

Aril

I make sure that my weekly menu is written on my list that I take with me so that if I see anything which is a good offer I can either substitute it for one of the meals I had planned or check to see which meal I can carry across to the next week - either by freezing or it being long life ingredients

Regards
Aril