Nelson Morales

As gas prices rise, save money on groceries with these 8 simple tips

Article (news)

Aneth Ng-Lim

<p>Everyone is watching the price of oil because we know that it will impact our cost of living. That’s because oil remains the primary energy source for global transportation.  While there have been giant strides for alternative power sources, oil is still estimated to power roughly 80 percent of all vehicles, ship and aircraft.  </p><p>As the price of oil continues to rise, we can expect to pay more for nearly everything, including our groceries.  This would hurt all our wallets and it’s time we become smarter with how we spend.  We may not be able to stop the price increases, but we can stretch the value of our hard-earned peso.</p><p>Here are eight practical strategies that can help keep our daily food costs low.</p><div><strong>#1 Shop with a Strict List and a Full Stomach</strong></div><p>Soon after I got married and sentenced to a lifetime of grocery shopping, I was given a smart advice: do not shop hungry.  When you do, you end up buying things that look tempting to you such as expensive and unhealthy snacks.  What’s more, being in a hurry so you can go and eat after may keep you from getting the best value products.</p><p>It’s also important to have a grocery list and to stick to it.  Impulse buying is a major budget-killer. Before leaving the house, check your pantry and prepare a list based on what you need.  </p><div><strong>#2 Visit the Wet Market for Fresh Produce</strong></div><p>You’re trying to maximize your supermarket visit so you buy your meat, fish and vegetables there too.  But that convenience can come with a hefty price tag.  Instead, go to local wet markets near you for the best deals as they are typically much cheaper than supermarkets. Go early in the morning and you can also be assured of the freshest selection.</p><div><strong>#3 Master the &quot;Ulam&quot; Stretch</strong></div><p>SocMed channels are full of cooking tips that can help you enjoy tasty dishes without busting your budget. Check out FB or Instagram or TikTok for recipes that can help stretch your food budget by adding more vegetables like sayote, kalabasa, or talong to meat dishes. Personally, I like the &quot;one-dish meals&quot; like sinigang or nilaga which also helps maximize ingredients and reduces waste.</p><div><strong>#4 Compare, Compare and Compare</strong></div><p>I spend time on every supermarket aisle to do the math and encourage you to do the same.  Don&#x27;t just look at the total price; use your phone&#x27;s calculator to check the price per gram or milliliter, or even per item piece. Sometimes a &quot;large&quot; pack is actually more expensive by weight than two smaller ones, especially during &quot;Buy 1, Take 1&quot; promos.</p><div><strong>#5 Embrace Generic or Store Brands</strong></div><p>If you have favorite brands, you likely reach for them on the shelf every time.  Maybe because it was endorsed by your favorite celebrity, or a family member or friend recommended it.   But those brands can cost more because they had to pay your favorite celebrity or paid for ads for market recall.</p><p>Instead, consider house brands like SM Bonus, Puregold&#x27;s &quot;Always Value,” or Robinsons’ &quot;Right Price&quot;. These often provide similar quality for essential items like toilet paper, detergent, garbage bags at a fraction of the cost.</p><div><strong>#6 Discover &quot;Dali&quot; and &quot;O!Save&quot;</strong></div><p>Did you know a big drain on daily budgets of workers are convenience store purchases?  If you must stop for a snack or a drink, try &quot;Dali&quot; and &quot;O!Save&quot;.  These neighborhood hard-discount stores often offer lower prices, even to those from major supermarkets. </p><p>They also offer good deals for daily essentials like rice, cooking oil and sugar.  They specialize in limited but high-value inventory, allowing them to pass savings on to you.</p><div><strong>#7 Shopee, Lazada and TikTok are good options too</strong></div><p>As part of your compare, compare, compare exercise, you can also check deals offered by online shopping platforms.  For some items, I find I get a better deal during monthly sales of Shopee, Lazada, or TikTok.  You can also time purchased during the &quot;double-digit&quot; sales (e.g., 3.3 or 4.4) for bulk non-perishables.</p><p>Being able to stack vouchers is a plus.  Make sure to claim free shipping, discounts from the app, plus payment discounts from their partner debit and credit cards or e-wallets.</p><div><strong>#8 Buy Bulk Items at Superstores</strong></div><p>I’ve been told that for non-perishables like rice, canned goods, and toiletries, shopping at warehouse clubs like S&amp;R or Landers can save you money in the long run. Many members also take advantage of exclusive gas discounts at their partner stations like Unioil or Caltex.</p><p>However, superstores can also tempt you to buy things that are not on your grocery list and I’ve been a victim of this many times.  So consider yourself warned.</p><p>On top of these budget strategies, make sure to claim loyalty rewards if available.  Try to register for rewards programs like SMAC (SM Advantage Card), Go Rewards (Robinsons), or Puregold&#x27;s Perks Card to earn points that can be used as cash for future purchases. Every little bit counts, and being smart with your spending can help lift the burden on your wallet in these trying times.</p>

<p>As the price of oil continues to rise, we can expect to pay more for nearly everything, including our groceries.</p>

As the price of oil continues to rise, we can expect to pay more for nearly everything, including our groceries.