Ep - 31 The High Cost of Convenience
Grocery price inflation is over 16% making it difficult to budget. The discounters are regularly the cheapest in research by Which?, the consumer group, but often customers do not have one of their stores nearby.
Sainsbury and Tesco are the cheapest of the big supermarkets , but we have to be careful which of their stores we use. Tesco Extra and Sainsbury Local do not have the same prices as the group's larger stores.
Which? estimates that regular shoppers at Tesco Extra can pay more than £800 extra a year with the likes of Kipling Bakewell slices costing 28% more at the smaller stores. At Sainsbury Local the extra cost can be £400 a year. Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup was 19% more at the Local stores.
So, they are definitely too expensive for a big shop. Too often we call in for a bag of pasta and are tempted by other items and end up buying a full basket at the expensive store.
There is also less choice with big branded groceries taking up lots of space on the shelves. The loyalty prices offered to Nectar and Clubcard holders may also not be available.
The most essential thing is to allow time wherever you shop. Rushing in to a store on the way home is likely to cost you more than you can afford.
Please send ideas questions, tips and warnings about rip-offs to Mrs Mean through the contact page on her website: mrsmeanmoneyshow.co.uk or to infomrsmean@gmail.com