Savings on groceries

> With the prices of things going up, here are some savvy strategies to help you manage the family finances, especially on foodstuff

Secondly, a list will help to curb impulse buying.

Stick to the limit We are always looking for sales, and the best offers are ones which limit the number of items you can buy.

Without the set limit per customer, these items would be swiped by small businesses, because the price is even lower than what they usually pay their suppliers.

Those were the days when I used to bump into the local grocer who bought cheap products by the trolley-load from the hypermarket.

Not any more. The big boys have wised up.

Check the expiry dates If you accidentally buy an expired food item, you could exchange it as long as you produce the receipt, but you will have wasted time and fuel.

If the item has just expired by a couple of days, it is most likely still safe to consume.

You certainly won’t drop dead like Snow White did when she bit into the poisoned apple.

Most supermarkets have a reduced-to-clear bin, where they mark down soon-to-beexpired food.

They might go from 50% to 70% off, so if you know for sure that you could use them up by the expiry date, give or take a few days, then it is a good buy.

But steer clear of perishables such as meat, fish, vegetables and fruits. You might end up discarding most of them.

Compare prices Don’t be duped into thinking that food or drink sold in bigger packages are immediately cheaper per unit.

Always compare the unit price for all available sizes.

If the individual units in the bigger pack are only slightly cheaper, you might still want to buy the smaller one, because you may not be able to finish everything.

In that case, whatever savings you would have made by buying more would go down the drain.

However, buying bigger packaging can still work out, if you know how to store excess amounts.

For example, you can break up the servings into smaller containers, and freeze or seal them tightly for later use.

Be observant during checkout When checking out the items, keep a close eye on the register.

Sometimes, promotional items have not been tagged with the discounted price, and you may end up paying regular price for them.

You would also notice if the cashier mistakenly scans an item twice.

These may be small savings, but they add up in the long run.

Lydia Teh is a mother of four and author of nine books, including the latest, Cow Sense for Young People. Send comments to lifestyle.lydia@ thesundaily.com.