Good news this week – inflation is going down. However, many households still feel the pinch when it comes to shopping and budgeting. People are looking for ways to save money on their weekly supermarket trips. I have a simple trick that I’ve been using to get more fresh food for the same price. It’s easy for anyone to try on their next shopping trip if they have the time. This trick can make a real difference, especially if you buy a lot of fruits and vegetables or make family meals.
All you need to do is go to a supermarket that has scales in their fruit and vegetable aisles. I usually do this at Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, and Morrisons. Unfortunately, budget supermarkets like Aldi or Lidl don’t have scales. The trick is to weigh pre-bagged and pre-weighted fruits and vegetables that you plan to buy. The weight printed on these items is the minimum required by trading laws. Sometimes, these pre-packed items can weigh more than what’s stated on the packaging. By weighing them, you can get more product for the same price.
For example, a 500g bag of carrots might actually weigh 630g. I’ve found that you can get significant gains by weighing these items at the supermarket. This is especially useful if you have a family to feed. Getting a few hundred grams extra of potatoes or carrots can go a long way in providing more portions. I recently did a sample shop at Tesco and found that I got a lot more produce for the same price by using this trick.
For instance, I weighed three packets of Tesco Finest jacket potatoes priced at £1.60 each. The weights varied from 800g to 1.1kg. By choosing the heavier pack, I got more potatoes for the same price. I also weighed parsnips, pears, carrots, and tomatoes, finding that the heavier packs offered more value. However, the gains on lighter items like strawberries were minimal. While you could apply this trick to other weighted goods in the supermarket, fresh produce is where you’ll see the most significant benefits.
Weighing your fruits and vegetables at the supermarket can help you get more for your money. It has become a part of my routine when I shop, and it’s a simple way to stretch your budget. Give it a try on your next shopping trip and see how much extra you can get for the same price.
