How to save when buying food

The first and golden rule when buying food is not to go to the store on an empty stomach. This will ensure that you buy what you need without your "hungry" eyes. Namely, if you go shopping with your empty stomachs, there will be a lot more things in the basket than you actually would. I have tried this several times myself. When I went to the store after a meal, I loaded up exactly the things I knew I would need / consume. Conversely, I stayed in the store, turned over almost all the shelves, pondered what to take and what not, and wasted a lot more time and of course money.

1. Discounts and discount coupons

Browse the flyers and look for discount coupons when buying specific products, and some retailers also offer discounts on products on request. Certain malls occasionally and unannounced publish coupons for a 20 percent discount on one product, which usually need to be redeemed in a day or two.

You can find these coupons in free and daily newspapers, and with them you can save a lot when buying food. Shopping malls sometimes also offer additional discounts for purchases above a certain amount, and in some they give preference to retirees who are subject to a 10 percent discount.

2. Think about what you really need

Do not go to the store without a shopping list and a pencil to tick off what you have already bought. Force yourself to buy only what you have on the list and learn to distinguish between foods you really need and use often and those you buy just to have more choice at home.

Do you really need ten types of flakes and three types of cheese? However, do not buy foods that you have never bought before and would like to try them out of curiosity, but only if you are really going to consume them, e.g. in the new recipe you want to try.

3. Protect your health and save money

Saving on the purchase of food is also associated with the decision to live a healthier life. Remove some unhealthy vices from the shopping cart, e.g. chips, chocolates, salty snacks, fattening flakes, high-fat fruit yoghurts, etc.

If you go to the store once a week and buy a bag of 150-gram figs each time, which on average cost a little more than one euro, you spend more than 4 euros a month and 48 euros a year.

If you also buy a 100-gram pack of breadsticks every week, which costs an average of 0.70 euros, you will deduct 33 euros for them after a year. The total annual calculation of both offenses is almost 80 euros, but if you add to this the purchase of chocolate (even if it is the cheapest, approx. 1 euro), you deduct around 100 euros a year for unhealthy habits.

4. Compare the prices of different products

If you want to save on food purchases, compare the price of products between different malls, but also pay attention to different brands within a particular store.

In most cases, products that fall under the brand of a particular shopping center are no worse than world-famous brands, in addition, they are usually cheaper. Also compare different packages of the same products and check the price of the product per kilogram or per piece. Your view should also stop at the bottom of the shelves, where cheaper products are often hidden from the eyes of customers, and you will also save by buying products that are just before the deadline.

5. Buy in stock

This is a measure that will save you money when buying food only if you buy a food that is proven to suit you and will not fail in just a few days.

You can’t buy cheese, bread, and most fruits in stock, so you can save quite a bit on buying more canned fish, frozen vegetables, and fruits, and so on.

Read the information on the products

Food and products are stored in stores in various packaging. Whether in plastic, cardboard, paper, can, glass, wood and other materials. Packaging gives food: physical and chemical protection, transport protection, product / food information, convenience and aesthetic appearance.

my advice- let's go to the store with a list of things we need to buy

Vegetables - which to buy, how to store it?

Lettuce does not stay very long, especially sliced ​​and cleaned. Therefore, it is better to choose whole heads. Or instead of lettuce, chicory prefer Chinese cabbage, cabbage heads, kale.

Cauliflower lasts much longer than broccoli-like. Brussels sprouts also stay in the fridge for at least a week. Best in an open container and covered with a damp cloth.

Similarly, we also store fairly durable cucumbers and courgettes. Pumpkins have a harder shell and can be stored in colder rooms instead of in the refrigerator.

In similar conditions, the tubers of beets, beets, kohlrabi, radishes remain useful for several weeks, and a little less carrots, parsnips and radishes.

Asparagus is kept fresh the longest if placed in a glass of water.

Onions do not need to be refrigerated. A cooler room, preferably dark and dry, and airy will suffice. It is very convenient to store in a special container - a bulb with ventilation openings. The same goes for garlic.

Fruits from the store: apples last the longest

Apples are among the most persistent fruits. Of course stored in a cool, dark place.

Citruses last at room temperature for up to a week, and in the refrigerator significantly longer. Kiwis keep for a long time, especially if they are hard at the time of purchase.

Pomegranates are kept at room temperature for several weeks.