Always write down what you need to buy beforehand, either on paper or on your smartphone. Having a list keeps you from buying on impulse – you don’t end up wandering the supermarket aisles stumbling upon things you want to buy but don’t need.

When you shop on an empty stomach, your hunger can influence what you grab from the shelves. Before you know it, you might end up with bars of chocolate and packs of instant noodles you never intended to buy.

Lugging a heavy basket around the supermarket is a pain, which is why it deters you from buying more than you need. Unless you are buying big items such as boxes of tissue, or big bottles of drinks, aim to fit all of your shopping into one basket. This helps to limit your spending.

You won’t be compromising on product quality. Supermarket house-brand items are cheaper than name-brand items not because they are inferior, but because the manufacturers save on advertising and other intermediary costs and can then pass on these savings to consumers.

The members-only Warehouse Club by Fairprice, located at 1 Joo Koon Circle, promises discounts of roughly 20 per cent on products that come in bulk quantities compares to what’s usually carried by supermarkets. For example, cornflakes may be sold in 1.7kg bags rather than 300g boxes.

At $50 per year for membership, you can make bulk buys in the form of value packs to save on groceries and household essentials, particularly for non-perishable goods like detergent and toilet paper.

Many credit card companies have tie up with the major supermarkets in Singapore. For example, the UOB Delight Card gives you up to 8 per cent cash rebates at Cold Storage and Giant, and offers special discounts on selected items.

Do your research to find out which credit card offers the best fit for your needs. Some cards offer reward points and other benefits like free delivery for online purchases.

Reduce wastage by freezing fresh produce so it can be kept longer. Raw fruits and vegetables can last up to a year, while meat can be kept for three to six months in the freezer.

Prepare meals in bulk and freeze them in portions to be reheated. Find out how tofreeze foods properly to preserve nutrients and prolong freshness.

Consider shopping online the next time you’re going grocery shopping.

Online stores like RedMart and Honestbee sometimes have discounts and savings or free delivery as long as you order is of a certain minimum.

Text: Davelle Lee/SimplyHer

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