It’s time to get money-saving! Whether you’re on a tight budget or simply want to save your pennies, finding cheap products will help you along the way. If you’re currently overpaying for your general shopping trips, you need to make some changes. Without further ado, here are some tips and tricks to help you get more for less!
Head to the world food aisle
Have you ever wandered to the world food aisle at your local supermarket? Making the effort could help to save you some cash along the way. Much of the time, you can find the same items in this section as you would in other areas of the shop—only at a cheaper price. It’s all about finding the best deal for you and your budget.
For example, take the humble chickpea. You could pay up to 85p for a 400g tin of chickpeas in the main aisle (if you go for a mainstream brand). However, in the world food aisle, a standard 400g tin of chickpeas is as cheap as 30p. That’s a huge saving.
Stop buying women’s razors
Could you be paying extra for women’s branded products? The short answer is yes. One example of this is the razor. If you head to Boots, a four-pack of BIC Miss Soleil Disposable Razors will set you back £3.85. On the other hand, a ten-pack of BIC Sensitive Disposable Razors costs just £1.45. The main difference between the two products is the colour and the fact that the former is marketed at women. Always shop around.
And quit buying ‘beard oil’
Here’s one for all the hipsters out there. Did you know that you may be overpaying for your beard oil? The premium price you pay for this thoroughly modern beauty product could be down to branding and branding alone. Typically, these products include very few ingredients and mainly consist of oils that you can buy elsewhere much cheaper.
Some of the best beard oil substitutes include argan oil or coconut oil. The latter can be quite cheap when you buy it in a supermarket. Of course, it’s worth understanding that every man—and, indeed, his beard!—is different. For that reason, you should try out a range of oils until you find the one that works for you and your hair.
Avoid snack pack food items
Snack pack food may be convenient, but you end up paying more for it. One great example of these products is the Snap Pot Beans from Heinz. A pack of four pots, which comes to 800g in total, costs £2 at Tesco. Getting two 415g tins of Heinz Beans costs £1.40 in total. Not only does that mean you get more beans but you spend less money!
Head to the baby aisle
Unless you happen to have a child, hitting the baby aisle at the supermarket might sound weird. But did you know that you can often find products cheaper here than they would be elsewhere in the shop? For example, cotton buds are usually more expensive in the health and beauty aisle than the baby aisle. Sure, they might have slightly different packaging but the product inside will be exactly the same. Give it a go when you’re next shopping.
Buy alternatives to cleaning products
One part of your shop that can seriously eat up your money is cleaning products. The chances are that you’re overpaying for these items. If you happen to rely on brand-name cleaning products, you could be spending around £4 per product which is costly. So, how can you save money and still have a home that is sparkly clean?
Using alternatives to cleaning products is the answer. For example, you can use white wine vinegar for a whole range of cleaning tasks. Mix it with water and put it in a spray bottle and it instantly becomes window cleaner! Another trick is to use corn flour rather than laundry starch. Being aware of these tips could make all the difference to your shop.
Try buying wholesale
There’s no doubt about it—you can get a better deal when you buy in bulk. Joining a wholesaler like Costco can save you loads of money when it comes to your everyday shopping bill. While you have to meet certain criteria to become a regular member (and shop in the stores!), there’s a simple trick that most people don’t know about.
Anyone can become an online member for £15 per year. That means that you can only do online shopping with the brand. However, it opens up a whole world of deals and, as a bonus, you can even get them delivered right to your door. It’s worth the subscription fee.
Avoid pre-cooked food
Spoiler: Pre-cooked rice, quinoa and lentils will always cost more than the standard product. If you rely on microwave packs, you need to change your ways sooner rather than later. Buying these items in their dried form means that you will get loads more for your money. Yes, you will have to spend a little longer cooking them, but it’s a great tip!
Always compare supermarket prices
Finally, one of the biggest things you should keep in mind when it comes to saving money on branded products is to shop around. Supermarkets regularly have a range of deals and discounts that are available for a limited time only. That means that your favourite product could well be in a bargain offer right now. Take the time to shop around and look at where you can get certain items cheaper. It might just save you a whole lot of money.
