I am back with a pet topic of mine, supermarkets and how to get the best use out of them! And this time, i am going to take a look at common supermarket mistakes. As i feel they are very common, as many fall into the traps laid for them by the big and small supermarkets alike.
Not All Offers Should Be Snapped Up
There are two good reasons for this. Firstly, just because something is on offer does not mean you need it and you are winning by purchasing it. You should utilise offers for items you intended to buy anyway. Secondly, not all offers are as good as they seem. I have just received a half price offer for Pizza Hut. Great, until you realise their normal price for pizzas is exorbitant. So at half price, it’s just a normal price. so when looking at offers, be aware of what you think a fair price is for the item, then decide how good the offer is. also consider similar items which may be cheaper compared to the item on offer.
Small Reductions May Not Be Worth It
Imagine that you want to buy a yoghurt for 30p. But there is an offer on that means you can get three for 80p. Is it really worth it when you wanted a single yoghurt, not three? And yet many times i have fallen for such offers, which are really commonplace. They make many buy more than they intended, for a small discount. But you end up spending more than you intended on the item. Try and keep your discipline when shopping.
Common Supermarket Mistakes – Shop On A Full Stomach
It is well known that it is a bad idea to shop when you are hungry. Or inebriated for that matter. This is a key way to lose your discipline, and purchase too much. An empty stomach means you get easily swayed by treats and perhaps the more costly items on display. It is best to eat before you shop, then you buy what you know you need, and nothing more. Hopefully.
Common Supermarket Mistakes – Look Beyond The Displays
I have mentioned before how that many brand names are double the price of alternatives that are essentially the same product with a different label. In fact, they are even made in the same factory much of the time! So always look towards the strategically placed displays that exit to lure you in to specific products. And always look at everything that is available out of your eyeline to get much better value for money.
Common Supermarket Mistakes – Purchase Things You Don’t Really Require
We have all done this. You see something you wouldn’t normally buy, but as there is a special discount or an introductory offer you decide to give it a go. This is especially risky with cashback apps that supermarkets run.
Sometimes you do get to try some premium brands for the price of a standard item, but more often than not you could still buy something you will like just as much for a lower price.
Bulk Buying Is Superior Value? Not Always
The supermarkets are full of offers like these, where bigger packs are available at seeming irresistible prices. That does not mean it is truly great value however, whatever it may claim. Buying bulk works in some circumstances – think toilet paper, which will not expire and will always be used. But i have lost count of the number of times i have bought in bulk and ended up losing out as i have had to dispose of some of the item. This is especially true of fresh food. And sometimes, these value packs are not better value anyway. It always helps to do the maths and work out what value you are getting. On the labels on the aisles and in online listings, it should list for many items the price per quantity so that you can compare value for money. I use this guide a lot when buying fresh meats.
