Depending on the level of income and the size of your family, the amount a typical family will spend buying groceries can range anywhere from 8% to 30% or more in some situations. With the rise of many online groceries in Abu Dhabi, saving money and cutting down costs is easier than ever!
The cost of living in Abu Dhabi is set to rise further especially since post-covid, and the importance of keeping your food costs in check is becoming more and more significant today than ever. However, food budgeting doesn’t have to be as difficult as it seems. Let’s take a look at 8 tips that will help you save money when you shop for your weekly or monthly groceries.
1. Plan Your Meals!
When creating your grocery list, plan ahead your meals for the week or the month, and add the ingredients you’ll need to prepare those meals. This will help you cut down on impromptu visits to the nearby baqala, where products are often priced substantially higher than what you can find at a supermarket.
2. Whenever you can, buy in bulk!
One of the benefits of having a detailed grocery list is that you can easily identify long-shelf items like Wheat, Rice, Sugar, Salt, Pasta, Dried Beans, Lentils & Other Grains. You can get a better one if you buy them in bulk.
3. Compare Prices:
There are a lot of supermarkets in Abu Dhabi. Each store has different prices for the products it has so keep an eye out and see what prices are more affordable for you based on your lists. When you do compare prices, check for different products from your grocery list as some stores may have certain items at lower prices while increasing the prices for other items.
4. Buy Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables:
Fruits and Vegetables that are currently in season tend to cost less compared to off-season produce. Also, consider buying produce at varying stages of ripeness. For example; if you want to keep some fruits or vegetables for a few weeks, then consider going for slightly green versions if you can store them properly.
5. Buy Canned Foods:
If you’re in the mood for some offseason fruits, you may want to consider canned versions instead. Not only are they just as nutritious and taste just as good, but also quite affordable.
6. Consider Generic Brands:
Many supermarkets have their store brands carrying a variety of foods like baked goods, grains, etc which are also just as nutritious and tend to be cheaper than branded alternatives.
7. Buy Only What You Need:
While buying in bulk makes sense for long-shelf products, consider buying only what you need when it comes to products that have a shorter shelf lifespan. Excess products may lead to wastage, which can amount to significant amounts over time.
8. Shop Online:
Just as comparing products is a lot easier when you look up prices online, some online stores like RGrocery in Abu Dhabi are starting to incentivize more customers to purchase online by offering products at very competitive rates compared to other local supermarkets. With most stores offering home delivery, you no longer have to look for a specific online grocery near you to shop from.
