In times of inflation, with the cost of living skyrocketing, saving money seems like a distant dream. Even a simple trip to the supermarket can become a source of stress and worry for an increasing number of people.
Sometimes, however, it takes very little to spend less, without making big sacrifices or drastic changes to your lifestyle.
Here are a few tips to reduce the impact of grocery shopping on your wallet without compromising on quality.
- Branded Products Are Not Always the Best
Major brands, the ones most advertised and well-known, tend to cost more, often because of their advertising budgets, and are not necessarily the best on the market.
In fact, recent studies show that the most cost-effective and high-quality purchases often involve products with the retailer’s private label.
- Beware of Discounts!
Promotions on certain products can help you save, but only if used wisely. One of the most common marketing strategies is to use special offers to encourage unnecessary purchases.
So, it’s good to stock up on favorite items when they’re on sale (especially non-perishable ones) but avoid buying things you’re unlikely to use just because they’re discounted.
- Check the Price per Kilogram or Liter
For every item on the shelf, the package price is usually clearly indicated. However, the price per kilogram or liter may not always be displayed.
This can make it hard to evaluate real savings when comparing similar products of different brands or sizes. The price per kilogram or liter is the only reliable indicator for a true comparison.
- Choose Seasonal Products
Buying seasonal products helps save money and reduces the environmental impact of your shopping. Visiting farmers’ markets supports this practice and allows for a better distribution of economic value while bypassing expensive intermediaries. Fruits and vegetables follow natural seasonal cycles: buying the right products at the right time costs less and promotes healthier eating.
- One Weekly Shopping Trip (Often) Saves Money
Fewer trips to the supermarket mean fewer temptation. It may seem simple, but shopping weekly can be a great way to save. Adding the habit of writing a shopping list of needed items ensures even more savings.
Another useful habit is to avoid grocery shopping when hungry. Hunger is a poor advisor—it can lead to buying only instant-gratification items or prepackaged foods, neglecting those that support a balanced diet.
Financial awareness is an essential tool, especially for those facing economic difficulties and needing to learn how to manage money responsibly.
The Museum of Saving offers visitors an independent learning path and organizes year-round activities for all age groups to make financial education truly accessible to everyone.
For more information, visit our website and check out our blog.