Rules for the skilful shopper

Resolve

• I will be a skilful and thrifty shopper

Plan ahead

• Draw up a budget and decide how much money you can afford to spend on housekeeping
• Plan one main shopping trip each week or fortnight to save petrol and running costs
• Draw out extra cash for fresh bread, milk, fruit and vegetables with your main grocery shop.
• Check out sales, special discounts and bargain offers
• Write a list of what you have run out of and what you need to buy
• Plan daily menus for the week or fortnight, using food in the house as well as your new purchases (and taking advantage of discount coupons)

Compare

• Carefully compare prices of brands and weights for best buys
• Check sales bargains with normal price of the same article
• Compare brand discount prices with normal store brand prices
• Compare bulk-buying prices (they are not always cheaper)
• Check out advertising claims

Avoid

• Avoid fancy packaging and gimmicks
• Don’t buy items you do not need just because they are a special price
• Don’t buy more food than you can use or store safely
• Don’t shop for food when you are hungry

Share

• Share transport and bulk buying with a friend
• Talk over your saving successes and compare notes with a friend or family member

Save

• Save your supermarket dockets to account for your spending and to help you plan the costs of your next grocery purchases
• Unpack and store good carefully
• Try and save a little each shopping trip to spend on extra ‘specials’ or gifts
• Carry a card with family sizes and measurements to take advantage of special offers if you have saved on your normal shopping

Source: The Salvation Army Community Ministries, Manukau City