For the last two weekends I have been going here and there for grocery shopping. Definitely tiring. Also, for the last month I have been searching how to smart shop for new housewife like me :P. But unfortunately, to be able to do all of these, I have been sacrificing our monthly expenses. I haven't been able to control our monthly expenses because of our short drives for specials to the nearest Coles & Woolworths (increase in fuel) and I'm still researching the appropriate expenses for our little family of two. I'm no Economic School graduate, but I have been raised in a family where we are taught to be smart in managing our money. So, based on my "research" for the past month, I'll share with you some of my smart way to shop!
ALWAYS COMPARE PRICES
Not many people like to do this, but for the sake of saving I would really recommend this. If you were about to buy something that is only available at major supermarket (Coles or Woolworths), I recommend you to compare their prices from their "buy online" feature in their websites (you cannot do this through app in smartphones). If you're buying fresh produce, I suggest you might want to try the Sydney Market every Saturday (not the Sunday one!).
ALWAYS CHECK FOR WEEKLY SPECIALS
Stores like Coles and Woolworths have Weekly Special catalogs uploaded on their website every week. Be sure to check on their Weekly Specials, especially Woolworths' half price specials, because sometimes even the cheap Sydney Market's price couldn't beat it! I always look out for Woolworths Weekly Specials (especially their half price specials). Usually, when Woolies has half price specials on non-food stuff, I tend to stock up, buying more than 4 bottles at a time. In the last month, alhamdulillah, I was able to find half price on our daily stuff that we couldn't find in Sydney market such as Palmolive hand wash, Palmolive body wash, Morning Fresh dish liquid, and Dove shampoo. For Palmolive shampoo/conditioner, Dove body spray & body wash, Radox brand, if you couldn't find a half price special in Woolies & you're already out of stock at home, you can get it at a cheaper price at Sydney Market. For food stuff, you might want to check the expiry date first. Once, I saw a half price special of Dorito's snack. But when I check in the store, the Dorito's is about to expire within 2-3 months.
ON BUYING FRESH PRODUCE
For fresh produce, wherever possible, visit your local farmer's market. If you're close to the Sydney Markets at Flemington, I would definitely suggest you to shop there because it's definitely fresh and cheap as well! Buying fresh produce at Woolies or Coles is alright, only if you are going to consume it immediately (or need it immediately). Sometimes I do top-up shopping for veggies and fruits in Guildford or Asian market in Auburn too.
Fresh produce often get price reduction. I think it's alright to buy the reduced product, as long as you cook or consume it right away. It's a good way to save too! :) Also, plan your meal before going shopping. It helps you to estimate how much veggies you would need for a week (don't stock veggies for more than a week, just not fresh anymore).
TRADING DOWN
Last weekend, I went browsing in Aldi store, trying to get the whole picture of the products it offers. Aldi sells cheap cheap basic products for kitchen and bathroom. I thought, "I wouldn't really care whether is a branded thing or not, because once it's mixed and cooked with other stuff, it will taste the same anyway." So, for salt, brown sugar, sugar, cream, cheese, pasta, nuts, canned fruit, and some other stuff, I will trade down to Aldi stuff.
For snack, you might want to try it first, because usually "you get what you pay for". I have compared the mint slice between Arnott's ($3.5) and Aldi brand ($1.59), they taste the same! The difference is that the Aldi brand is a bit hard to bite, but it's alright I think.
For hand wash, body wash, shampoo, and dish liquid, we will still stick to the branded stuff because it smells a lot better, more convincing, works better. Plus, you can get it for half price at Woolies - just watch out for those specials.
For milk, I'm sticking to Dairy Farmer's (even though it's $1 more expensive) because it contains more calcium by 40mg per serving and tastes much much better. Aldi also stocks A2 milk which is more premium than their private label milk.
So, yeah, I hope this helps a bit for the new housewives!
*reposted from my old blog
ALWAYS COMPARE PRICES
Not many people like to do this, but for the sake of saving I would really recommend this. If you were about to buy something that is only available at major supermarket (Coles or Woolworths), I recommend you to compare their prices from their "buy online" feature in their websites (you cannot do this through app in smartphones). If you're buying fresh produce, I suggest you might want to try the Sydney Market every Saturday (not the Sunday one!).
ALWAYS CHECK FOR WEEKLY SPECIALS
Stores like Coles and Woolworths have Weekly Special catalogs uploaded on their website every week. Be sure to check on their Weekly Specials, especially Woolworths' half price specials, because sometimes even the cheap Sydney Market's price couldn't beat it! I always look out for Woolworths Weekly Specials (especially their half price specials). Usually, when Woolies has half price specials on non-food stuff, I tend to stock up, buying more than 4 bottles at a time. In the last month, alhamdulillah, I was able to find half price on our daily stuff that we couldn't find in Sydney market such as Palmolive hand wash, Palmolive body wash, Morning Fresh dish liquid, and Dove shampoo. For Palmolive shampoo/conditioner, Dove body spray & body wash, Radox brand, if you couldn't find a half price special in Woolies & you're already out of stock at home, you can get it at a cheaper price at Sydney Market. For food stuff, you might want to check the expiry date first. Once, I saw a half price special of Dorito's snack. But when I check in the store, the Dorito's is about to expire within 2-3 months.
ON BUYING FRESH PRODUCE
For fresh produce, wherever possible, visit your local farmer's market. If you're close to the Sydney Markets at Flemington, I would definitely suggest you to shop there because it's definitely fresh and cheap as well! Buying fresh produce at Woolies or Coles is alright, only if you are going to consume it immediately (or need it immediately). Sometimes I do top-up shopping for veggies and fruits in Guildford or Asian market in Auburn too.
Fresh produce often get price reduction. I think it's alright to buy the reduced product, as long as you cook or consume it right away. It's a good way to save too! :) Also, plan your meal before going shopping. It helps you to estimate how much veggies you would need for a week (don't stock veggies for more than a week, just not fresh anymore).
TRADING DOWN
Last weekend, I went browsing in Aldi store, trying to get the whole picture of the products it offers. Aldi sells cheap cheap basic products for kitchen and bathroom. I thought, "I wouldn't really care whether is a branded thing or not, because once it's mixed and cooked with other stuff, it will taste the same anyway." So, for salt, brown sugar, sugar, cream, cheese, pasta, nuts, canned fruit, and some other stuff, I will trade down to Aldi stuff.
For snack, you might want to try it first, because usually "you get what you pay for". I have compared the mint slice between Arnott's ($3.5) and Aldi brand ($1.59), they taste the same! The difference is that the Aldi brand is a bit hard to bite, but it's alright I think.
For hand wash, body wash, shampoo, and dish liquid, we will still stick to the branded stuff because it smells a lot better, more convincing, works better. Plus, you can get it for half price at Woolies - just watch out for those specials.
For milk, I'm sticking to Dairy Farmer's (even though it's $1 more expensive) because it contains more calcium by 40mg per serving and tastes much much better. Aldi also stocks A2 milk which is more premium than their private label milk.
So, yeah, I hope this helps a bit for the new housewives!
*reposted from my old blog
