Tips on cutting expenses around shopping and groceries to help reduce your spending or increase your cash flow.
QUALITY VS QUANTITY
When it comes to shopping, sometimes consideration needs to be taken on whether one prefers quality over quantity. Buying higher quality items could equate to savings for the long run if you want the items to last you a longer period of time like a good pair of shoes, luggage, home appliances, good quality cook pots and so on.
In instances where you are planning to buy an item that is expected to last a while, it would be more advisable to save up for a better quality item that is still realistically within your goal to have.
Say for example, instead of a lower quality cookpot costing BND20, you could wait till you’d saved up enough to buy a BND60 cookpot instead. Items like these that are used often and for longer term are worth spending a little extra on as the quality will ensure that you get more mileage use out of the item as opposed to having to buy a new one sooner due to wear and tear.
Items that you could spend less on would be items whose quality would have less impact on how you need to use the item, for example, paper towels, tissues, dish washing liquids and so on. Balancing your need for quality over quantity could not only help you save for the long run but also contributes to quality of living as well.
LOCAL MARKETS VS SUPERMARKETS
When it comes to fresh local produce, local markets have the best offerings in terms of freshness and price. Larger families would benefit greatly from being able to buy larger quantities at local markets as opposed to buying the same items from supermarkets. With savings made from buying local, you could then spend on better quality foods that supermarkets like tinned foods, beverages and healthier snacks.
COLLECT STAMPS, COUPONS OR DISCOUNT CARDS
Some supermarkets have special offers on purchasing with stamps and these usually work out to be very good value offers on items that are of better quality. Look out also for special offers on items like toiletries that can work out to be quite expensive especially when you would like to use better quality goods.
Some shops also give out discount cards so if you are a regular shopper at a particular store, find out how you can get their discount card to save on your purchases at the shop.
UTILISE YOUR CREDIT CARD REWARDS POINTS
If you are a credit card user, use your credit card points to redeem for supermarket vouchers to redeem with your purchases. Rewards are given to you free when you use your credit card so all the better to use them before they expire.
MAKE A SHOPPING LIST
The next time you need to do your grocery shopping, make a list of the items you need.
With a physical list you will be more likely to stick to purchasing what you need and avoid loading your cart with items that you wouldn’t need. You could even go so far as to compare prices of between shops and make a note to purchase specific items from specific shops if the cost savings make sense.
DON’T SHOP WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY
Always go shopping when you are full. Studies have shown that you tend to make more compulsive purchases on food items that you usually wouldn’t purchase because you were hungry. It also helps to keep you healthier so you wouldn’t be tempted to reach out for a candy bar.
LOOK FOR FREE SHIPPING ONLINE SITES
These days online shopping is alot easier and is fairly safe with online security measures as well as consumer protection measures. Look for online shopping sites that offer free shipping or free shipping over a certain purchase amount.
Bear in mind that certain items are taxable when received in country such as shoes, jewellery and some electronics so be sure to find out locally how much the tax is first before you collect your items.
SAVE UP FOR LARGE PURCHASE OR MAKE USE OF INSTALMENT PLAN OPTIONS
When it comes to furnishing your home, the cost of furniture can range far and wide. With items such as these with long term use, it is advisable to save up to buy the piece of furniture that you really want as opposed to buying a piece of furniture that just suit yours budget but ends up being something that you dislike over the years and therefore feel like replacing which would mean spending more money.
So in this aspect, again, quality over quantity should be considered.
This article is for general information purposes only and whilst the information in it is believed to be reliable, it has not been independently verified by us. You are advised to exercise your own independent judgement with the contents in this article. – Standard Chartered Bank
