In April, food prices in Bangladesh reached a five-month high, with inflation hitting double digits for the first time in this period. Soaring inflation and higher commodity prices are forcing many middle and lower-income families to tighten their belts. Many families against such realities are even planning to cut their expenses for the Eid-ul-Azha festival. It has already been reported that the prices of many essentials including spices are already up in the kitchen markets.
Against such a backdrop, many are trying to find ways to save money on their daily and monthly grocery expenses, no matter whether they're shopping online or in-store. The good news is that it's possible to lower grocery bills even when prices are high if you plan strategically. In fact, many homemakers are already doing it and surviving the storm in the market. With smart planning and strategies, people can manage their expenses effectively, both online and offline.
Here are a few ways how households can plan and manage their grocery bills better and make the most of the celebration during Eid without compromising anything.
Shop smart from your kitchen and freezer: Before heading to the store for the weekly grocery run, take a glance at the kitchen and fridge. You can definitely find some ingredients including leftover vegetables that will cover two more meals. This will help you save money by utilizing what you already have.
Meal planning: If you ask a homemaker, the most difficult part of managing the house is to decide what to cook. Making a weekly meal plan not only minimizes time and waste but also encourages home cooking over costlier takeout options. Keep your plan simple by jotting down a few recipes and shopping the necessary ingredients only.
Utilize a grocery delivery service: Eid can be an exciting yet hectic time for all, and rushing to the departmental store every time we need something can be a hassle. To save up on grocery bills, online food and grocery delivery platforms like foodpanda offer deals and discounts up to 80% under pandamart’s Eid Bazaar. By buying essentials from such platform, you can save quite a good amount of budget if you choose your basket strategically.
Strategic stockpiling: Properly wrap and freeze perishable goods for later use, extending their shelf life and reducing the frequency of shopping trips. Cooked meat can be safely frozen for three to six months, while vegetables can last even longer, up to 8-12 months when frozen properly.
Understanding expiry dates: The dates and suggestions you see on food packages often indicate quality standards rather than safety. These include "best if used by," "sell-by," "use-by," or "freeze-by," which signal freshness and quality. It's important to check these, both when shopping online and offline, to ensure you're consuming fresh products and using older items first.
By implementing these strategies, you can navigate the challenges of inflation and maintain a balanced budget without compromising on the quality of your meals.