Saving Money On Your Shopping
Is it cheaper to buy in bulk?
It can be cheaper to buy in bulk, but remember, in supermarkets, large sizes of washing powder, for example, are not necessarily cheaper than the small or the medium sizes. Check on the labels as you're looking at the prices it will give you a price comparison per kilo. If you have the cash and you're not paying by credit, it is sometimes better to buy shopping in bulk. If you want the item - and if you can store it without buying an expensive new American freezer or even whole kitchen! - then it is cheaper to buy in bulk. Sometimes, however, buying in bulk, especially at warehouse clubs, just gives you an excuse to use and eat more wastefully rather than save money. I know that on my last trip to a warehouse club, unfortunately we bought expensive French bread in bulk and we simply ate better than we would normally eat when it came to toast.
Is it cheaper to buy fresh or frozen meals?
Frozen meals are cheaper than fresh meals, on the whole. I find frozen food in Iceland incredibly cheap. Frozen meat is good value for families on a budget. Balance that out by buying cheap fresh vegetables and fruit.
Are ready meals good value?
Ready meals, what a waste of money! Frozen or chilled ready meals cost, from my research, eight times more than if you bought the raw ingredients and cooked them. You're buying time - to do what with? Sit in front of the TV? You are rarely so important that you don't have time to make scrambled egg with salad, or something equally quick and wholesome. If you want to save money, don't buy frozen or chilled ready meals.
