Tips and tricks: This is how you can save money in the supermarket

Stick to the shopping list

When shopping, the smell of bread rolls, special offers and bright colors often tempt us to buy things that we don’t actually need. But there is good news: shopping lists can help! It makes sense to think about what you’re cooking in advance and then stick exactly to the shopping list in the supermarket, because this means that unnecessary things don’t end up in the shopping cart.

Don’t go shopping hungry

In addition, you should not shop while hungry, because the more hungry you are, the higher the risk of succumbing to cravings and buying more than you actually want. So just eat a little something beforehand and only take what you need with you.

Bring your own shopping bag

Plastic bags are not only harmful to the environment, they also cost money. Bringing your own shopping bag or basket not only protects the environment, but also saves money at the same time. For this reason, there are now reusable shopping bags that can be folded up particularly small and fit comfortably in your handbag or backpack.

Pay cash

Because of the many cashless payment methods, it is advisable to pay for purchases with an EC card or cell phone. However, it is easy to lose track of expenses here. When paying with cash, you can immediately see how much money has been spent and how much is left.

Pay attention to discount promotions and advertising brochures

It is also advisable to take coupons from home with you and redeem them when shopping; loyalty campaigns can also make purchases cheaper. Promotional brochures make it easier to see what is currently on offer and then search specifically for the discounted products. If you don’t have a brochure with you, you should just look out for discount offers when browsing the supermarket shelves.

Don’t forget the sorting

Supermarkets use various sales strategies, one of which is clever placement of the range on the shelf. Expensive products can usually be found at eye level, i.e. in the middle of the shelf, while cheaper items are sorted in the lower shelf areas or high up. In addition, supermarket shelves are often designed for right-handed people, so cheaper products are more likely to be found on the left side of the shelves.

Compare prices

If the customer cannot decide between different brands and sizes of packs, a direct price comparison helps; the basic prices for the respective product are listed at the bottom of the price tag in the supermarket. Depending on the item, the basic price is stated either per kilo or per 100 grams. The information particularly helps to identify supposed bargains as deceptive packages. Because not every large pack or every discount campaign is cheaper than the products of other brands. A little tip: pay attention to private labels. The supermarket’s own brand is often cheaper than the branded products.

Buy products that are about to expire

It’s also worth buying fruit and vegetables before the store closes, as perishable foods that aren’t sold during the day are offered at a discount in the evening. Furthermore, there is often a collection point for products that will soon exceed their best-before date or should be consumed on the same day. These foods are heavily discounted and sometimes even sold for half the price, because the fact that the best-before date is about to expire does not mean that the food has to be thrown away.

Marie-Sophie Steinbach, editorial team at finanzen.net