Food Shopping on a Budget

New Zealand Food Shopping on a Budget

The supermarket is becoming a daunting place - for those on a tight budget basic foods are quick becoming luxuries. But don't fret, there are plenty of options to shop on a budget by shopping smartly.

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With rising food prices, fuelled by the increasing cost of transportation and unseasonal climate, families in New Zealand and around the world are tightening the purse strings to save on the weekly grocery shopping bill. There are many simple ways to save money and enjoy healthy food at low prices.

Stick to these guidelines for food shopping on a budget:

1.      Take advantage of specials - supermarkets often have low prices on selected items when you buy more than one, so stock up on the basics when you have the chance. Flavoursome tinned tomatoes, loaves of wholegrain bread, packets of pasta, tins of beans, fruit juice and packaged frozen vegetables are just some of the items commonly available at low prices.

2.      Compare brands and prices - often the supermarket's ‘home brand' is exactly the same as the more expensive brands. Compare the cost of each, remembering to look at the weight of the product too, and choose the cheapest, healthiest option (try to avoid added sugar, salt and additives). A few cents here and there will add up - and once you know which brand is cheapest, you'll be able to go straight for your favourite.

3.       Make a grocery shopping list - it may not be as exciting as writing your Christmas wish-list, but a shopping list will help you eat a healthy, balanced diet and save dollars too. Plan your meals for the week, stock up on basics and let yourself have a few (cheap) treats. Don't stray from the list though - and to improve your chances of success, don't go to the supermarket with an empty stomach!

4.      Make your own instead of buying readymade - many foods can be cheaper to make yourself than to buy from a supermarket. You'll save money if you make your own muesli (using whole oats toasted in honey and combined with dried fruit, nuts and seeds); mix up your own hummus (using chickpeas, tahine, olive oil, garlic and black pepper blended to a smooth texture); buy ingredients to make your own pizza rather than getting takeaway Italian. Shopping for whole foods is usually much more efficient than buying processed, pre-packaged foods, so try to apply this guideline to your whole grocery shopping list.

5.      Shop for fresh produce that's in-season - follow the seasonal cycles of fruits and vegetables. If you buy  fresh produce that's in-season, you'll enjoy the flavours of the freshest produce available and avoid paying a premium for off-season fruits and vegetables. In winter, go for broccoli, cabbage, spinach and sweet potatoes; in spring, try avocadoes, asparagus, baby salad greens and fresh green beans. Warmer days of summer are a time to enjoy berry fruits, grapes, mangoes, cherries, plums, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumber and sweet corn, while the cooler days of autumn are the harvest time for apples, pears, pumpkin and quince. Of course fresh is always best, but snap-frozen vegetables are also a good way to get your greens during the winter months.

6.      Visit markets as well as supermarkets - shop for fresh produce at weekend markets. You'll save money, support local growers and often have the choice of buying organic vegetables. Most towns and suburbs have one or more local markets, so make this part of your ‘eating on a budget' plan. Vegetables and fruits at market stalls are often cheaper than supermarket vegetables, and they're also much fresher.

7.      Arm yourself with discount cards and coupons - when you have chosen a convenient and budget supermarket, take advantage of any available discount membership cards or coupon books. Also watch for any mail-out catalogues or in-store promotional material offering specials or discounts.

8.      Limit spending on alcohol - it's cheaper to buy a bottle of wine at the supermarket than to go to a bar to enjoy a drink, but try to limit your alcohol purchases and buy wine or beer that is on sale at a discounted price. Many quality New Zealand wines are available for less than $20.00.

9.      Make your own convenience meals - food on a budget doesn't have to be hard work. Instead of buying pasta snacks, weight loss dinners or television meals, shop for ingredients to make your own. Using pasta sauce, tomato paste, garlic, onion, basil and oregano, green beans and courgette, you can make a quick sauce that can be frozen in single or double serves, to be added to pasta when you need a quickie meal. Alternatively, make a tray of lasagne or a big pot of soup to be frozen into individual serves.

10.  Make homemade snacks for when you're on-the-go - rather than picking snack-packs of chips, dried fruit and nuts off the supermarket shelves, buy these items in bulk and make your own snack-size servings to take to work or carry in your bag for the day. You'll also be helping the environment by choosing foods with less packaging and packing your own snacks in re-usable plastic containers.

Looking for more information? Find food on a budget in the NZS.com directory.

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Lifestyle images from Flickr: Supermarket Job, Yoga and Wine.