Today, I’m going to share some money-saving tips for moms. As someone who has lived in Africa since I can remember, I can confidently tell you that things are not as they use to be. For instance, inflation in Nigeria and Ghana as of today is 16.7% and 13.9% respectively compared to a few years back when it was a single figure. The price of food and other commodities has gone quite high with salary earners struggling to survive.
I have always lived a frugal lifestyle and inflation has even made me become more economical. I know I’m not cheap, I just don’t like to spend money on unnecessary things.
Here are some tips on How to Save Money on Grocery.
1. Ditch your fancy supermarket for a farmer’s market: We all like the comfort of shopping in a serene environment with the air conditioning and cool music playing in the background. It’s a sweet experience and that is why you are paying a high price for a tuber of yam you could have bought for half-price at the farmers market.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you shouldn’t shop at the supermarket, I’m just saying you should know what to buy from there and what to buy from the farmer’s market. For instance, yam, tomatoes, and palm oil would be cheaper at farmers’ markets while it would be best to get things like beverages and other similar items from the supermarket.
Usually, I visit the supermarket once a week to get things like bread, drinks and so on. This has not only saved me money but time as well.
2. Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk will help you Save money on groceries. I usually go to a market located in the suburban area of Accra once a month to buy a large number of food items that will serve my entire family of 4 for one month. I make sure I fill my car with things like plantain, yam, palm oil, fresh fruits etc. I prepare four types of Nigerian soup and store them in my deep freezer. It’s easy to say, “let me just buy 1 kg of rice to cook tonight, tomorrow I will buy another 1 kg” no, don’t do that! If saving money is your goal, then it’s best to buy stuff in bulk. If 1 litre of vegetable oil is $5 buying 5 litres for $22 will save you $3. I know you may say “just $3”? Well, when you save a couple of changes on different items, you will be surprised at how much you will save.
3. Buy Items on sale. I have to admit, I am one of those women you see in the supermarket with a cart filled with 4 – 5 of a similar product. Imagine getting a can of milk for half price. Each time I go to the supermarket, I always look out for promotions and discounts on staple items and I make sure I buy a couple of those items especially when they are up to 50% off. This is a great way to save money on groceries.
4. Compare Prices. Some items may be expensive in one store and cheaper in another. It’s important to compare prices to ensure you are getting the best.
Final Thought.
Apart from the points listed above, there are other ways you cAn save on groceries like signing up for a loyalty program, using coupons etc. Saving money on groceries is one of the easiest ways to top up your saving. You just have to choose what works best for you.