For a few months now, I've noticed that my shopping at Carrefour costs me way more than it used to, even when I'm buying the same stuff. Fruit and vegetable prices went through the roof this summer. Do you guys have any tips for spending less without sacrificing quality?
Prices are going up for sure, but it's not just at Carrefour where you see it - it's everywhere, unfortunately. What really helps me is checking the promos at the beginning of the week instead of just going in without a plan, and honestly the store brands do the job without being much cheaper than the big brands so it doesn't really change anything. What actually makes a difference for me is getting seasonal fruit and veg - yeah it's obvious to say but seriously in August tomatoes cost three times less than in January. And if you've got a market near you, it's often cheaper than a supermarket, the vendors will negotiate on prices towards the end.
I've noticed the same thing with my spending since the start of the year. What really makes a difference is spending less time in the fresh produce section in summer and going for frozen stuff instead - I know it sounds cliché, but honestly they keep the nutrients pretty well and cost like half the price. For basics like pasta, rice, and oil, I buy store brands without hesitation, they're rarely worse and you actually save a ton of money. You can also try checking out smaller neighborhood supermarkets or local markets - they're often cheaper than the big chains and you've got more options for seasonal produce.
What also helps me a lot is making a real list before I go and not letting myself get tempted by impulse buys - I know it's easy to say but in practice that's where most of the spending happens. Another simple but effective thing: make meals that can be made in bulk, like a big tomato sauce or a baked dish that you can freeze and reuse multiple times. It takes a bit more time upfront but in the long run you're buying less often and wasting less. Do you buy a lot of processed products or more raw ingredients? That really changes the strategy you need.
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