The 10 best money saving tips for the budget-conscious buyer

Anyone can benefit from implementing some good money-saving tips when shopping. It often happens that one steps into the store planning on getting only a couple of essentials but somehow ends up buying everything but the things you were originally there for.

It’s a never-ending cycle that could really leave a big dent in your monthly budget or even tap into your savings. So, instead of continuing the cycle, we’ve found 10 great tips & tricks to help you save money and stick to your budget.

1. Budget and meal plan

One thing that is vital to saving money is to set a budget that you can manage, whether it’s an overall monthly spending budget or a budget set per week. If you’re someone who finds an excuse to hit the store every week, then you may want to set up a specific budget that breaks down the total budget and divides it among the 4-5 weeks of the month.

That way, you will have a clear picture of your total, which you can spend on groceries, treats, and other items.

This can not only help you save time daily in terms of coming up with new things to eat but also help you in terms of budgeting, as you know what you’ll be looking for and an estimate of what it will cost.

2. Forget the bulk or special buys

One of the biggest attractions a store has to offer is its specials or bulk buy options. The minute our eyes see a sign advertising these, we automatically consider it a steal and add it to the cart. Whether or not you planned on getting this item, you will get it simply because it’s on special.

While some bulk buy items are worth the spend especially the ones you use on a daily basis, there are other items that you buy on sale or in bulk which you don’t really need or use as much.

It takes up space in the cupboards, and chances are you won’t use all of it before the expiration date.

3. Know when not to shop

There are two times you should absolutely avoid heading to the shopping mall.

Whenever there’s sadness or hunger twirling around our insides, it’s almost like we’re determined to fix it and fill the hole with an instant hit of dopamine. We splurge on anything and everything that looks good or gets us excited for a minute.

Sometimes, we don’t even consider the cost or how this sudden shopping splurge will impact our overall budget. Eat before you go shopping and find other ways to comfort yourself in times of distress.

4. It's a BYOB party

Let’s be real: Grocery bags have become ridiculously expensive over the past couple of years. At the moment, that little extra doesn’t seem much, but it really starts adding up. Places where plastic bags are no longer available do exist.

You’ll spend a couple of bucks on a material bag, and the chances of there being a couple of bags ready to use at home are quite high. So put those bags in the car and take them out when you go shopping.

We’re going shopping, and it’s a Bring Your Own Bags exclusive. If you can save, even if it is a couple of bucks, take the chance.

5. Join loyalty programs

The majority of stores have their own special programs and loyalty cards that offer rewards, special deals and the chance to collect points, which can be traded on purchases later on. Take 5 minutes out of your day to sign up for these rewards programs.

6. Frozen is still food

Many of us were raised to believe that canned or frozen foods are not as nutritious or good for you as fresh produce. The reality is that these foods do still retain their nutritional value and offer the same health benefits. They also have a longer shelf life and come at a much more reasonable cost depending on what it is you’re buying. Don’t be afraid to buy canned and frozen fruits and vegs. It can really help in terms of savings.

7. Go ‘no name’

We often look for certain brands on items because we’ve grown up with them and we trust them. You need to look past the belief that no other brand matches up. The reality is that often, the no-name or store brand of a product is just as good. Except you get to save a couple of bucks because you’re not paying extra for the item name or brand reputation.

8. Shop in the middle of the week

According to financial experts and store managers, weekends are quite busy for most stores. This also leads to a sense of rush when shopping as you try to get all the things you need without being stuck in a crowded space for too long.

Sometimes, this could lead to a break in budget and just grabbing anything that isn’t necessarily essential.

9. Make a list

This is one of those gems you’ve probably heard a number of times. Somehow, we often ignore this advice or argue that we don’t even follow the list.

Then go to the store, head straight for the aisles that contain what you need and tick off the items as you throw them in the cart. If you’re not keen to carry around a pen and paper, take a look at the many different list apps that are available for your phone.

10. Know your aisles

Another pro tip would be to actively make a point to notice the layout of your favourite stores and then target the aisles you know you need to be in. When we stroll from one aisle to the next, we often find ourselves buying additional items or even arguing about our list and budget for all the reasons why this extra snack, book, or t-shirt is absolutely necessary.

When you stick to the dedicated meal plan or shopping list and head for the aisles containing your items, there’s a better chance of not getting swayed into those additional purchases.

Stay alert and stick to your budget

One thing to always remember is that stores are masters at targeting your cravings and your weaknesses. The store layout is designed in such a way that it almost guarantees the majority of shoppers will fill their cart with the essentials and a couple of extras by the time they reach the till.

Your mission is to break the cycle, ignore the attractive displays in your vision field, and learn how to stick to your budget.