Simple way to save money on supermarket shopping - how stupid am I!

spirit

My DD has just gone off to university so I thought I'd try to save on my grocery bill each week. So I've used the smaller trolley the past 2 weeks. Simple, more than halved my bill. I'm not tempted to fill up the trolley with stuff I don't really need. I guess it must be psychological, if you have the bigger trolley you feel the need to fill it up otherwise you think you've missed something important.

Smiley_Mum

You'll spend even less if you go round with a basket, you'll really question every potential purchase you place in it, as it's getting heavier each time.

tattooed_lady

That is SO true! Also, I try to walk and not use the car then there's only so much I can carry home, that always saves a bit!!

Smiley_Mum

Better still - don't even take a basket. Just take what you can carry in your arms, so long as there's no glass stuff etc. I usually shop daily anyway and just take a Tesco BFL with me. Usually nip round with a basket or not depending on what I "really need". I used to take the small trolley too but I find this way I spend even less as I don't have the buggy now to put groceries in as my son is now walking everywhere. Made a mistake of buying too much when he was first out of it and boy it was a killer walking home with it all. So now just a handful of things each day is enough. Do a big bulky item shop now and again at the big Tesco on the outskirts of town, and take a small trolley for that.

Karnam

also think very carefully if you'll eat what you're going to buy in the next few days. Makes sure you don't buy anything you won't eat anytime soon. My mum used to have tons of food she meant to eat in the cupboard but never got round to. As a student now I just focus on what I need and know I will def eat in the next fewdays.

Bogof_Babe

I hate the big trollies anyway, all that bending and stretching to get things out at the checkout, and they always seem to have wonky wheels, whereas the small ones run quite smoothly.

My only complaint is that all the small ones are generally in use, or I have to walk to the other end of the carpark to get one.

If it wasn't for the lemonade that gets consumed in this house, I would try to stick to a basket.

nearlyrich

Must admit we use a smaller trolley now and we spend less, last night we bought £10 worth of special offer stuff and the bill was under £30, we were just in time for markdowns so a loaf which is 91p was 18p etc. We are adjusting to life with no children in the house as they have both gone to uni, empty washing baskets and a full fridge wooohooo.

sallypurple

I find I save money if I shop in the Tesco Metro because it only stocks essentials, so again I can't be tempted into buying things I don't need.

angel

Since giving up my car I've shopped locally at Tesco Metro. Unlike others here I've found this more expensive as I'm popping in there at least once a day.

I've started shopping for groceries online now which I'm finding cheaper. I do my first order two or three days before the delivery date so that I can go back the day before deliveryand remove any impulse (and usually fattening!) buys. So far this seems to be working.

Smiley_Mum

Don't go shopping when you're hungry and start shopping at the opposite end of the store, don't shop at the front of the store. I remember reading something about doing your shop the opposite way around. They put all the offers and stuff right at the front of the store to reel you in, plus all the smells of baking and stuff so you are pysched up for buying but if you start at the back of the store it's worn off by the time you get to all the offers, hopefully. Take a list and stick to it. I read somewhere too that the best time to go supermarket shopping is Tuesday's and Wednesdays before lunchtime. The shelves are restocked after the weekend, avoid evenings and weekends. Here is a link I've just come across which may be of some interest.

http://www.whatprice.co.uk/financial/supermarket-save.html

myriadabellium

Another tip of mine is to take cash and no cards! Really makes you think about what everything costs and how to get the best value from what you need to buy. Also, no impulse purchases! Can be hair-raising though at the till if you cut it fine, lol!