Many families struggle to make ends meet, and one of the biggest expenses is food. It can be a real challenge to find ways to save money while still eating healthy meals. In this article, we'll share some tips and tricks for budget-friendly meal planning that can help you save money on groceries.
Compare Prices
Shop around for the best deals. Not all grocery stores are equal, and some are significantly more expensive than others with certain items. To save money, it's essential to shop around and compare prices. Make a list of the items you need, and then visit different stores to compare prices. You may find that one store is significantly cheaper for certain items, while another store is more affordable for others. Consider making a regular trip to a wholesale store, like Makro for bulk purchases of non-perishable items. Also, keep an eye out for promotions and specials, which can help you save even more money. For example, knowing when Pick n pay celebrates their birthday you could potentially find deals on that day or weekend.
Let's compare the prices of three different grocery stores in South Africa for a few common items:
1kg of beef mince:
- Woolworths: R135
- Pick n Pay: R160
- Checkers: R115
1kg of chicken breast:
- Woolworths: R115
- Pick n Pay: R97
- Checkers: R90
1 loaf of bread:
- Woolworths: R24
- Pick n Pay: R20
- Checkers: R20
As you can see, there are significant price differences between the stores for these items. By shopping around and choosing the more affordable option, you can save money on your grocery bill.
Shop at Local Markets
Shop local markets where you may find unique or standard grocery items at lower prices, for example at Jozi Real Food Market. You would also be able to buy in bulk more easily at these markets. You also get to support local farmers or independant businesses which allow for more diversity in options and a better community atmopshere.
