These 7 tips will save you stacks on your grocery bill

23 February 2017 - 16:01 By Toni Jaye Singer & Hilary Biller
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Don't automatically assume a bigger packet means better value. Compare products when you're at the supermarket, check the weight and do your sums.
Don't automatically assume a bigger packet means better value. Compare products when you're at the supermarket, check the weight and do your sums.
Image: iStock

Is the dizzying increase in food prices giving you anxiety every time they tot up your total at the till? Knowing these seven things will help you keep costs under control when you're doing your supermarket shop

1) KNOW WHEN YOUR FAVE FRUIT AND VEG ARE IN SEASON

Fresh fruits and vegetables are at their most delicious when they're in season. Happily, this is when they're cheapest too.

Don't pay over the odds for out of season produce. Use the list below to predict when some your favourites will be readily available in store and plan to make the most of them. Your taste buds will thank you.

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What's in season?

Apricots: November and December

Artichokes: October to November

Asparagus (green): September to May

Avocados: March to November

Berries: December to March

Bok choy: August to March

Chillies: January to April

Citrus fruits: May to September

Fennel: May to June

Figs: October to April

Granadillas: January to May

Parsnips: May to September

Plums and peaches: November to March

Pomegranates: February to May

Tropical fruits (litchi, mango, watermelon): December to March/April

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2) EGGS AREN'T JUST FOR BREAKFAST

Eggs are a excellent source of protein that won't break the bank so don't relegate them to the breakfast table.

Don't feel like scrambled eggs on toast will cut it for supper? Use one of these simple recipes to turn them into a more substantial meal:

Crustless cheddar, ham & mushroom quiche

Low-carb pizza omelette

Dukkah-crusted eggs, roasted tomatoes & lentils

Mexican eggs with a spicy bean mash and tortillas

3) LENTILS AND BEANS CAN MAKE MEAT DISHES GO FURTHER

Low cost pulses —  lentils, beans and split peas —  pack a big punch nutrition-wise. Many have a fairly neutral flavour, which means you can sneak them into just about any soup, stew or casserole and, as they're so filling, you'll need to include less pricey meat or poultry as a result.

If you've always steered clear of pulses because they tend to give you gas, try soaking and rinsing dry pulses before cooking them, and rinsing canned varieties well before use.  This may put a stop to your digestive woes and, as an added bonus, will speed up the cooking time of dried types.

4) BUYING IN BULK ISN'T ALWAYS A CHEAPER OPTION

Buying an ingredient in bulk can save you money, but it's no saving at all if you end up throwing most of it away.

Before popping a bulk buy in your trolley, check the sell-by dates and consider whether all that food can realistically be eaten before it goes off, or whether some of it can be frozen.

Ask yourself the same questions when contemplating taking advantage of 'buy two and save' specials or similar deals.

Sometimes buying two packs to get a special offer can work out more expensive than just buying a bigger pack of the same ingredient.

That said, don't automatically assume a bigger packet means better value. Compare products, check the weight and do your sums.

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5) RICE ISN'T JUST A SIDE DISH

Stop thinking of rice as something to serve other things on. This pocket-friendly staple can easily hold its own as a star ingredient — think a spicy biryani, Chinese fried rice, paella or a creamy risotto.

Yes, the specialised short-grain rice needed to make a risotto or paella is pricier than the regular rice, but remember you'll be using smaller amounts of more expensive ingredients like meat and cheese to make your meal.

Rice can also be used to make a flavourful stuffing for baked peppers, aubergines and baby marrows.

Try this easy recipe for stuffed peppers: Stuff 4-6 halved peppers with a mixture of 1 fried onion, 1 clove of garlic and 1 seeded, chopped chilli. Add cubed feta cheese, cooked rice, seasoning and small cocktail tomatoes. Bake at 180°C for 30-45 minutes till peppers are soft and lightly charred.

6) YOUR TIPPLE WILL COST MORE COME APRIL

Finance minister Pravin Gordhan's 2017 budget increases the so-called 'sin taxes', so from April 1 you'll see the price of alcohol go up.

Here's how it'll affect you at the till:

• Beer will cost 11 cents more per 340 ml can;

• Sparkling wine will cost 93c more per litre;

• Wine will cost 30 cents more per litre; and

• Spirits will cost R4.43 more per bottle.

7) SUGARY DRINKS WILL SOON BE MORE EXPENSIVE

Sweet sips including cold drinks and 100% fruit juices will be subject to a 'sugar tax', which according to the finance minister, "will be implemented later this year once details are finalised and the legislation is passed".

The tax will be calculated at a cost of 2.1 cents per gram of sugar content in excess of 4 grams per 100ml.

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