How can you save money when buying groceries at the supermarket?

Groceries are a fundamental everyday necessity, but they can be costly. Although homemade cooking is cheaper than restaurant meals, most of us still spend a lot on our weekly food shop. Shopping deal website Rabato gives some tips on controlling your impulses and keeping your spending in check.

Humans cannot avoid buying food, and the larger the family, the longer the list. So, how can you spend less? Retailers actually offer a wide range of cost-cutting methods. Check out the list below to discover how you could save money. Grocery shopping does not have to be expensive. In Germany, top deals can save you hundreds of euros.

1. Take a look at weekly bargain ads

It definitely pays to shop around. Grocery comparison websites give you a weekly or monthly overview of all the promotions being run by retailers in your area. Most of these platforms work in multiple countries, and even offer newsletters to keep you regularly updated. Using a website like this helps you to track down the best deals.

Some of these websites, including Rabato, allow you to directly order discounted items from a number of retailers in one place. Simply add them to your basket and place your order. This saves a lot of time! Pro tip: turn on push notifications in your app to secure the best offers as soon as they arrive.

2. Install shopping apps

Online bargain hunting is not limited to websites. Consumers also have access to a wide range of apps that can help limit spending, since many major retailers offer apps for smartphones and tablets. With these apps, you can browse catalogues, see current bargains and compile wish lists.

Alternatively, consider shopping list apps. The same system may be accessed by every member of your family, so everyone can add the items they want. For instance, try AnyList, an app that can also make suggestions and divide entries by store department.

3. Check your cupboards before going shopping

Before going out to buy more supplies, take stock of what you’ve already got. The items in your cupboards can be used as a starting point for your weekly cooking plan. This will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.

You should also regularly check sell-by dates on the items in your cupboards. If something is about to expire, think of a dish you can use it in. This way, you don’t buy more than you need, and you avoid food waste at the same time! Win-win.

4. Keep your shopping list up to date

Forgetting to add an item to your shopping list is a common problem. Print out your list and stick it to your fridge or food cupboard door. Attach a marker, so you can make corrections as new ideas come. A chalkboard or whiteboard is an even better solution.

Add new items and make adjustments before you forget. Mark the products you are running out of. With a shopping list in plain sight, you ensure your cupboards are always amply stocked.

5. Do your shopping early

While the early bird catches the worm, buyers who arrive early get their hands on the freshest produce. At the same time, they get discounted items before they run out. Early morning shopping has multiple benefits.

If it’s not feasible for you to get to the supermarket before work, or you’re simply not a morning person, a good alternative is to do your shopping at night - another way to avoid the crowds and hone in on some of the best bargains.

6. Pay in cash, when possible

When you pay with a credit card, it can be easy to forget that you’re actually spending money. A simple tap and you walk away with all that shopping - like magic! This can be especially problematic if you’ve got an overdraft or a credit card. Borrowing is never free, even though we humans tend to forget this.

Cash, on the other hand, is more difficult to part with. It is a psychological phenomenon. The global economy is now increasingly cashless, but you can still take advantage of the old-school trick. When you see physical banknotes leave your wallet, it is much harder to spend extravagantly. Perhaps that’s why so many German people still prefer to pay in cash!

7. Leave the kids at home

Even if they are nagging you to take them, you should leave your kids behind. Why? Because having a child present on your shopping trip is bound to translate into unplanned purchases. Any parent knows this.

Your adorable bundle of joy will set his or her sights on a specific item and demand that you buy it. Plenty of parents find it difficult to refuse. If your goal is to shop prudently, you may prefer to leave the kiddies at home.

8. Be flexible

Planning is essential. However, you should be ready to make changes to your shopping list on the fly. Imagine you have a meticulous menu for the week ahead, but pork is suddenly out of stock. Try not to get too stuck in your ways - improve when necessary and find substitutes.

If you were planning on making pizza with pepperoni, but the price for bacon has been slashed in half, you could easily make a swap. Cooking plans should be flexible. With a little creativity and attention to price tags, you can make hefty savings. Fortunately, the internet is full of recipes for every budget and occasion.

The bottom line

These are key ideas to help you spend less. People do food shopping more than any other kind of shopping. With apps, weekly ads, and a little bit of forward planning, saving becomes easier than ever. Follow these tips, and hopefully, you will soon start to notice a drop in your regular outgoings!

Searching for shopping bargains in Germany? Rabato collects all of the best offers and brochures from countless well-known and popular supermarkets and shops all over Germany, allowing you to compare thousands of promotions in one place.