Save more on grocery shopping

smart shopping

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Save on groceries

Rising food prices strain family household budgets, as groceries are a regular part of everyday expenses. Especially spontaneous purchases and expensive branded products increase spending. So how do you save? For example, you reduce your expenses by writing a shopping list and choosing store brands. You also save money by comparing prices and sticking to your shopping list. With products you buy frequently, it’s worth looking at more affordable alternatives. Many store brands are cheaper than branded products and still offer good quality. Unlike famous brands, they avoid costly advertising and extra distribution costs, so they are more affordable. When assessing a product’s quality, it helps to look at the ingredients.

Mother and child buying fresh fruit at a farmers’ market.

Woman holding shopping list while buying groceries at farmers market.

Why it pays to write a shopping list

Rising food prices put particular pressure on families and raise the cost of weekly grocery shopping. Supermarkets are often laid out so that staple foods like meat, milk, or bread are placed at the back of the store. On the way there, you pass many products and special offers that catch your eye. This quickly tempts you to take more than you planned. Using a shopping list keeps your spending under control and prevents impulse buys. This saves not only money, but also time.If it’s not on the list, it stays on the shelf. In addition, a quick look at special offer brochures is worthwhile. Many supermarkets offer new promotions every week. So it’s best to write down discounted items that you actually need. And don’t forget: If you shop hungry, more ends up in the cart than necessary.

A young man crouches in the supermarket in front of the bottom shelf to pick out affordable groceries.

Saving with own brands

Every time we shop, we face the same decision: branded product or own brand? Out of habit, we reach for the familiar brand, assuming it offers better quality. Yet own brands are usually equally good and significantly cheaper. On average, they cost about 20 percent less than comparable branded products. Own brands belong to the supermarket and are sold exclusively in its stores. They use simple packaging and avoid costly advertising. That keeps design and marketing costs down. Branded products, by contrast, come from manufacturers who supply many retailers. They spend heavily on advertising and striking packaging. In the end, it's the customer who covers those costs. Savvy shoppers know: Branded products are placed at eye level, where your eyes naturally go first. Cheaper options are often found on the top or bottom shelf. It’s always worth comparing products on your weekly shopping trip. Choosing own brands saves money while offering comparable quality.

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