By Darren Brown
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Luke 14 vs 28
In recent times, Jamaicans have demonstrated an increasing propensity for grocery shopping and are stocking up on large supplies of food. According to data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, the cost of food in Jamaica decreased to 6.20 % in June 2023 compared to 10.2 % in June 2022.
Several questions arise with this known information. What are the reasons for Jamaicans spending more? Are we eating more? Are people buying more out of fear/ panic buying? A lot of you visit the supermarket, and as you walk the aisles and look at the shelves, a small voice in your head will often start saying, “Buy one more bread, just in case,” or “You really can’t have enough paper towels.” Whether we realise it or not, many of us overspend at the supermarket because of a survival stockpiling mentality. While it’s true we should have food to last for about two weeks, here are a few ways to help you manage and save on your food bill.
Make a list: Before venturing out, walk through your kitchen and look at what you are running low on and what you need for the week. Also, consider how much space you have. Knowing you already have bread and buns will help keep your “Just one more” small voice quiet. If you can, make the list organized by area of store. This will also help minimise time spent at the supermarket.
Plan out your dinners for the week. This helps you determine exactly what you need at the supermarket, and you can then include these ingredients on the list. This will help reduce buying food that may go to waste.
Shop at the Market: Buying some items at the market versus supermarket may be more economical and even much fresher.
Buying in Bulk – dos and don’ts: Be aware of what you buy in bulk and stock up on. How much toilet paper and dishwashing liquid do you really need? This is especially true if you’re looking at items like milk, yoghurt, and bread. Anything that has a use-by date and you don’t plan to freeze, you’re more likely to waste that food by letting it go bad. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have a supply of non-perishables, but keep it within reason. Two weeks is an adequate amount of food and supplies to have, made up of mainly non-perishables.
Loyalty Cards and Promotional Deals: When looking to accrue some benefit on purchases; the use of merchant loyalty cards and buying items discounted are always a plus. Look out for two for one deals and cash back based on your spending, e.g., Magna Rewards points that can be translated into future cash back.
Use what you have first: Regularly check your fridge and cupboards for items that are about to go bad and use them. Get creative! Now’s the time to use that rice that’s been sitting in your cupboard for months.
Reduce fast food purchase. If you often calculate the money spent on fast-food consumption monthly, you will notice that it is a significant part of your food bill. Yes, it is easy to just grab and go, not requiring time to prepare. However, it also adds up and in the long run, is not ideal for your proper dietary intake.
Check the prices at cash register. These times require us to be very vigilant. Take that extra minute to double-check your purchases to be sure there are no mistakes and that you are not being overbilled.
