How do you shop?

[Leigh]

When you are shopping, do you check the prices carefully, or just throw in what ever it is you need or want and worry about it at the checkout?

Some weeks we need to do a really small shop, and I try very hard to buy just what we need. But it seems the harder you try to shop "light" the more you spend.

I have just started to buy some things in the home brand, to try and save a little. I have always bought name brands, but thought I'd give it a go. I have been suprised at the quality of some of the products.

[Naomi]

We tend to do smaller frequent shops, but it's much more expensive this way, I know.

[Jewly]

I have a strict budget most of the time and know exactly how much I'm spending. When I do my grocery shopping, I actually keep a track of how much I'm spending and only spend what I've budgetted for. I also tend to do a shopping list and only get things on the list if I can, but I will buy things that I normally buy if I see them on a really good special.

I also try and get bulk packs too, to save, and because I have heaps of tupperware to store it all in, it always lasts a long time. I find with groceries, that I have to sometimes not do a big shop and just use up things at home, because at times it just seems to build up too much.

Some homebrand products are actually the exact same product as the named brands. A guy I knew worked at Meadow Lea and the only difference between the Meadow Lea margarine and the homebrand is that they stopped the machines, changed over the containers and started it up again. Some things aren't as good, but you just have to shop around.

I normally shop at Woolworths but lately I have been trying Action and I do think they are a bit cheaper.

[ritzmoon]

With only two of us to shop for I usually only shop about every 4 weeks . Then I just pick up milk and bread as I need it. I find by not going to the supermarket you spend less as you can whim buy. I always try to buy specials especially things like toilet paper and washing powder and cleaning products.

[PinkDot]

I think it varies for me. Some things I am really fussy about and dont mind about the price (like mince). Other things that dont matter so much I buy a cheaper version. I dont generally buy home brands, except for grated cheese :)

[MissieK]

I try & do a big shop each week, sticking to a shopping list.

Melissa

[Patricia]

I have to admit that I am the worlds worse shopper. Living out of town and having to go in every day to take Callum to school I find myself just "ducking" into the shops for a couple of things and coming out with much more several times a week :S.

When it comes to Home brand products I have a very open mind, I will buy things like cling wrap and foil, tomato sauce, I used to buy toilet paper but have seen the light and now only buy the bulk packs of Quilton from Woolies..after using that luxurious (read 3 ply!!) toilet paper I certainly couldnt go back to that horrible bum scratching stuff!

Patricia :)

[Monty]

We have to try and stick really close to a budget but sometimes I underestimate the cost of things (which is really dumb since I work at a supermarket :roll: ). The way things are advertised these days it is very very very hard not to impulse buy (i think). Walk into any Coles and everywhere you look there is a 'special' or a 'deal' and now its on the music CD's they play 24/7... It drives me nuts!!!! Keep listening to it over and over again and a couple weeks later I end up buying that product (are they taking over our subconscious??!?!)... Bulk is the way to go and the deli is generally cheaper.