As the cost of living continues to increase, many residents are seeking ways to reduce their expenses and save more money. One area where significant savings can be made is on grocery bills. By implementing a few simple strategies, you can reduce your grocery expenses in the UAE without compromising on quality or variety. Below are some tips to help you cut your grocery bills while shopping.
1. Use coupons and promo codes
Coupons have proven to be the most enduring money-saving method. By using coupons wisely, you can significantly reduce your bill and even get your groceries for almost nothing. One great way to find discount offers is to look for printed receipts instead of opting for an online bill.
Carrefour, for instance, has coupons and vouchers on the back of the bill, which show discounted items in their store and partner brands. Additionally, it’s essential to check the online store and mobile app of the grocery store of your choice to see the price difference of products. For example, if you’re shopping at Grandiose, you can check the app for the best applicable voucher, which you can present at the counter when shopping in person. Also, online grocery shopping platforms like Noon, Careem, and Instashop offer daily promo codes that can help you decide which deal is ideal for you.
2. Watch out for daily, and weekly sales
Aside from major sales events like the Ramadan and summer sales, shoppers can also watch out for daily and weekly deals at supermarkets.
Bayara provides sales and promos on first orders. Carrefour rolls out new promos, sales, and discounts every Wednesday. Meanwhile, Almaya does it on Wednesday, once every two weeks. Grandiose offers a regular weekend sale, so be sure to come by the store on Saturday or Sunday. Prime members can avail themselves of supermarket discounts during the first week of the month on Amazon.
3. Plan your meals
Grocery stores offer daily and weekly deals on various items such as meat, fruits, and vegetables. Planning your meals around these discounted items is an effective way to reduce your grocery bills and save money for the week. Studies and testimonials have shown that families can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars just by meal planning.
4. Sign up for loyalty programs
Signing up for loyalty programs is an excellent way to save money while spending it. Most supermarkets provide loyalty programs that offer their members exclusive discounts, reward points, and other benefits. You can earn points for each purchase you make and then redeem them for discounts or free products.
There are several famous loyalty programs available, such as Share by Carrefour, Shukran by Landmark Group, and Smiles by Etisalat. You can use your Share points and Smiles points to pay for your groceries. Additionally, you can use your Shukran points to pay for toiletries at partner brands like Centrepoint.
5. Collect credit card points
When signing up for a credit card, you can avail yourself of various discounts, offers, and partnership benefits. Checking out the offers on your credit card can help you save money on grocery items you regularly buy.
Most banks partner with grocery stores and grocery shopping apps, so make sure to check your mobile banking app before making a purchase.
ADCB, FAB, and Mashreq usually partner with Noon and Careem, so be on the lookout for the promos that will earn you discounts and credit card points.
6. Buy in bulk
Most supermarkets in the UAE offer significant discounts when you purchase items in bulk. Buying in bulk can help you save money not only on individual items but also on transportation costs since you’ll be reducing the frequency of your shopping trips. Some stores, such as Bayara, even offer free delivery services, which can further reduce your expenses. However, it’s important to keep track of the expiration date of the items you buy since buying in bulk can result in a surplus of products. Always make sure to check the expiration dates before making your purchase.
7. Buy only what you need
Have you ever thought about how much money you waste on grocery purchases that go unused or end up being thrown away? This often happens when you buy more than you need or make impulsive decisions, especially when you’re hungry. It’s also common when you buy fruits and vegetables intending to use them, but end up not doing so. All of this can hurt your finances, as it’s equivalent to throwing your hard-earned money in the trash.
8. Buy now, pay later
Take advantage of Buy Now, Pay Later schemes when grocery shopping. Applications such as Tabby, Tamara, and PostPay offer shoppers interest-free monthly installment options. By using these options, you can pay for your purchases in full over a longer period without any interest charges. This can result in significant savings compared to using a credit card and being charged interest for late payments.
9. Read promotional emails
Some supermarkets like Carrefour, Grandiose, Choithrams, and Viva offer discounts to people subscribed to their email lists.It might be time to pay attention to the promotional emails in your inbox. You might be surprised by the number of coupons, offers, and savings there.
