There are so many different brands/sizes/prices of nearly every product, not to mention so many stores to pick from! How is a thrifty shopper to know WHICH one is the best buy and when specials are really specials worth stocking up on? By developing and using your very own Price Book!
A price book is simply a place to record the prices from various sources on products you regularly buy, with dates and a break down per kg (or relevant size). This way you can see at a glance who usually has the cheapest price, what the price normally is, whether today's special is really that great and, over time, whether there is a seasonal pattern to when this item generally goes at a really good special price (that's when you'd plan to stock up!).
Bulk buying, or stocking up, can save you a ton of money over time. But if you don't do your research first, you won't know when to stock up on what for the best savings. Living payday to payday and think there is no way you can afford to bulk buy anything? Don't worry, I will show you how! If you read all the articles I post in THIS section of my website (and this one too), and begin to implement the ideas, in no time at all you WILL be able to afford to start building a store of supplies, and bulk shop to save maximum amounts!
But whether you bulk buy or not, it is invaluable to know the likely cost of an item, and where best to buy it. Apart from saving money, this also comes in handy if you wish to estimate the cost of buying everything on your shopping list prior to going shopping, so you can trim the list if needed before you head out the door (for more on this read my Master Grocery List article).
Bulk buying, or stocking up, can save you a ton of money over time. But if you don't do your research first, you won't know when to stock up on what for the best savings. Living payday to payday and think there is no way you can afford to bulk buy anything? Don't worry, I will show you how! If you read all the articles I post in THIS section of my website (and this one too), and begin to implement the ideas, in no time at all you WILL be able to afford to start building a store of supplies, and bulk shop to save maximum amounts!
But whether you bulk buy or not, it is invaluable to know the likely cost of an item, and where best to buy it. Apart from saving money, this also comes in handy if you wish to estimate the cost of buying everything on your shopping list prior to going shopping, so you can trim the list if needed before you head out the door (for more on this read my Master Grocery List article).
Here's how to create a price book:
1) Use either a half-size loose-leaf ring binder with alphabetical tabs, or an index notebook with multiple pages per letter.
2) Create headings under the relevant letter for items you regularly buy - in a looseleaf notebook this will probably be one item per page. In an index book, you will probably have 3 or so items per page, with lines ruled between.
3) Little by little over time, record the prices for these items from various sources. Be sure to date each entry, note the store name (use shorthand code such as CD for Countdown, NW for New World, and so on), brand, size of pack, and price. I mark the price with an * if it is on special.
4) To the right of each line, calculate the price in regular units, such as per kg for most food items, or per whatever is relevant to the item. That way when you're glancing at prices for an item, you're seeing the true comparison per unit. Make sure you identify what the break down is (eg Per kg, Per 100, Per unit etc)
1) Use either a half-size loose-leaf ring binder with alphabetical tabs, or an index notebook with multiple pages per letter.
2) Create headings under the relevant letter for items you regularly buy - in a looseleaf notebook this will probably be one item per page. In an index book, you will probably have 3 or so items per page, with lines ruled between.
3) Little by little over time, record the prices for these items from various sources. Be sure to date each entry, note the store name (use shorthand code such as CD for Countdown, NW for New World, and so on), brand, size of pack, and price. I mark the price with an * if it is on special.
4) To the right of each line, calculate the price in regular units, such as per kg for most food items, or per whatever is relevant to the item. That way when you're glancing at prices for an item, you're seeing the true comparison per unit. Make sure you identify what the break down is (eg Per kg, Per 100, Per unit etc)
That's it! It's not difficult, but it does take a little time. But this time will pay off big dividends and revolutionise your shopping! Take the price book with you when you go grocery shopping. If you're not sure a price is worth it, check your book. Don't be sucked in by the supermarket's careful arrangement of products, ranges, specials etc, all designed to get you to part with as much of your precious money as possible - beat them at their own game with a price book!
Below is an example of what might be recorded in your price book - in this case for whole raw almonds. Once you have an idea of prices, if you see a price at a different source that is clearly more expensive, there is no need to bother recording it, as you won't choose that location to buy this item. After you've gathered several prices for an item, you will only add to them if you see a good special on that item, or a new source with better prices. Note that the column headings are there for your benefit - I don't bother to put them in my actual price book, for the most part, except to indicate what unit the final breakdown is for. Remember an * indicates the item was on special when this price was recorded.
Below is an example of what might be recorded in your price book - in this case for whole raw almonds. Once you have an idea of prices, if you see a price at a different source that is clearly more expensive, there is no need to bother recording it, as you won't choose that location to buy this item. After you've gathered several prices for an item, you will only add to them if you see a good special on that item, or a new source with better prices. Note that the column headings are there for your benefit - I don't bother to put them in my actual price book, for the most part, except to indicate what unit the final breakdown is for. Remember an * indicates the item was on special when this price was recorded.
Almonds - whole, natural
Date |
Store |
Brand & Cost |
Per Kg, GST incl |
20/12/15 |
GM |
Store brand 3kg $71.67 +GST |
$27.47 |
20/12/15 |
GM |
Store brand 1kg $23.01 + GST |
$26.46 |
25/1/16 |
PS |
Bulk Bins |
$38.90 |
25/1/16 |
CD |
Store brand 600g $19.99* |
$33.32 |
Don't make yourself crazy over this! Just make a start with the items you buy most often. Look in supermarket flyers when you have a moment, and write down those prices. Each time you shop, add a few more. You'll soon have a very useful, fully functional price book. If you have already created a Master Grocery List, you will have a clear idea of what products you need prices for - there is no need to collect prices on items you never buy!
Remember, the purpose of your price book is:
1) To show you where the best places to buy particular items are
2) To help you judge when a special is really a good special
3) To help you see seasonal patterns to prices on some items, so you can plan ahead and know when to stock up
4) To provide a tool for you to estimate the cost of your grocery spending before you go shopping
5) To save you money!
Don't over-complicate it, or you won't use it.
Keep it simple and in a format that works for you, and you will have a very handy tool in your thrifty Kiwi arsenal!
Remember, the purpose of your price book is:
1) To show you where the best places to buy particular items are
2) To help you judge when a special is really a good special
3) To help you see seasonal patterns to prices on some items, so you can plan ahead and know when to stock up
4) To provide a tool for you to estimate the cost of your grocery spending before you go shopping
5) To save you money!
Don't over-complicate it, or you won't use it.
Keep it simple and in a format that works for you, and you will have a very handy tool in your thrifty Kiwi arsenal!