Frugal Living

Grocery shopping is actually one of the easiest way to save money. When one is shopping, you always have a variety of choices to choose from. Products have become more competitive and cheaper brands does not necessarily mean ineffective products.

Here goes:

1. Do your shopping once a month. Small trips are expensive. Less trips to the store means you save on transportation and gas.

2. Make a shopping list. And since household shopping is indispensible, I bet my savings that you have a flexible grocery list already and can run along the aisles of the grocery store even with your eyes covered. Make sure to write down the estimated price (base it on previous month’s purchase) and tally everything so you would know more or less how much everything would cost you.

3. Double check bar codes and prices as declared on the shelf. This is important. Its known that the bar code system in the shops are convenient for the stores and not necessary for you. Double check the bar code at the back of your items against the code and price on the aisle.

4. Try store brands. Many store brand items actually come from the same factories as named brand items. They are just packaged differently. Store brand items can save you 20 to 30%.

5. Stock up. Buy and stock up items you know your family consistently consume like eggs, rice, milk, noodles, oil and diapers if you have babies.

6. In season items. When it comes to fruits, buy fruits that are in season and shy away from imported fruits and vegetables. Like I say, buy local.

If you have other frugal shopping ideas, please email me at : frugal.pinoy@gmail.com