Friday, June 29, 2012

Tips on Supermarket Shopping

I have asked some wonderful local bloggers to write guest posts and I have the extremely funny and charming Lisa from Mrs BC's house of Chaos guest posting today. Lisa is one of my favourite bloggers and I know you will love her as much as I do....
Hello! I blog over at Mrs BC’s house of Chaos, but today I am sharing some pearls of wisdom for you here, at Redcliffe Style.

I was going to give you my style tips, considering this is a stylish blog, but that could be considered slightly fraudulent as I really don’t have any. It would be a very short post – 
  leggings; 
  thongs, ballet flats or boots (seasonal);  
  hopefully nice shirt that covers your lady bumps; 
  cardigan if required.
Thanks for having me!


No, I thought I might share some hints on something I was clearly born to do, something I spend hours and hours doing, something I have done in different states and different countries. Something I practise every single day.


Tips on Supermarket Shopping
1.    Shopping is hard work, so reward yourself. I like to sit down and read a glossy magazine, but I can’t do that after shopping or my frozen items will thaw. It’s also hard to shop for new shoes or have a cocktail with a full trolley by your side, so think ahead and get your reward first!

2.    Find a supermarket you like and get to know it intimately. Know where everything is so you don’t waste time wandering about. Write your shopping list in order of your trolleys route, so you don’t waste time searching for things.  

3.    Don’t shop on an empty stomach, because you will buy all sorts of so called food stuffs that you don’t need and can’t afford. If you can’t avoid it, at least buy a coffee and a little sustenance to get you through the aisles.

4.    Handle a trolley like you handle a car, with confidence and mastery. If you hold your head high and stride purposefully, people will jump out of your way.

5.    Its one thing to avoid trolley rage, but it is another thing entirely to take any unnecessary nonsense from people who have no business in the supermarket (looking at you, retired husbands) at the very least, a snippy look will give them something to discuss at bowls besides the weather; so really, you are doing them a service.

6.    If your favourite brand is on special, buy only as much as you can store. Sounds simple, but how much toilet paper can you fit in your bathroom
?
7.    Generic brands are great. I never used to think so, but now I love them. I started off with basics like flour and soda water, and then expanded to other items. My current favourites are Woolworth’s cocoa powder which is like Dutch process cocoa, and chicken nuggets. Yes! Chicken nuggets! Get over it!

8.    Check out the supermarkets secret timetable. What day is the meat on sale? When do they mark down the seafood? Sometimes the trolley traffic flow changes depending on the day or hour. Sometimes (if you are in the city) there is an unofficial singles night, and it probably won’t be Thursday or Friday night. On singles night, it might be a special code to put bananas in your trolley, so, umm...it pays to be aware Mmkay?

9.    Most supermarkets are pretty good at keeping their shelves stocked, but if you want it and the shelf is empty, ask a shop assistant to get it off the top shelf, or look out the back. They might not want to, but it is their job so they are obliged.

10. At the checkout, let the person with 4 items go ahead of you and your full trolley. Make sure you smile nicely at them. The shop assistant will think you are a lovely person and won’t be so reluctant to look out the back for you next time. The retired husband you offended back in aisle 2 will decide it must have been his fault after all. His wife, who has been listening to him complain all this time will decide he has finally lost the plot and leave him at home next time. Supermarket karma is a funny thing!

Happy shopping!
Mrs BC
xx


You can find Lisa at Mrs BC House of Chaos and on Facebook. Make sure you drop by and say hello.


18 comments:

  1. Thanks for having me today, Rachel!
    xx

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    1. You are so welcome. I am thrilled to have you. Rx

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  2. Great tips, but I just can't go past doing it all online, the delivery guy puts it all in my kitchen! I can't express how much I love this service, taking 4 boys grocery shopping is not ever going to happen. 2 I can do, if I just need a few thins.

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    1. I agree, online shopping is excellent. No impulse buying either! Rx

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    2. Is it sad that grocery shopping without my children is considered 'a break'? It's one of the few times I am monkey free, I don't think I can give it up!
      x

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  3. Mrs BC is my favourite ever!! Some of these I already practise and many just gave me a grin :)

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    1. You can't help but smile when you read Mrs BC. Thanks for visiting, Rachel x

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    2. Awww you guys are so sweet, and very kind. Sheri, which night is singles night at your local?
      x

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  4. I think that I must be Mrs Bc's shopping sister! Can I get a hell yeah! Love your work lady!

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  5. Oh, I totally agree about the Woolworths homebrand cocoa Mrs BC! I just want to know where you shop. A cocktail? Now that's my kinda shopping centre!

    Anne xx

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    1. I am going to find a place with cocktails too. I think that would be the way to shop. A Pina Colada as an award before shopping. I loved meeting you at NNB2012. Rachelx

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  6. Hahaha gosh this made me laugh! I work at a grocer and deli so it's so interesting to read this from that point of view! When I see customers letting people with a few items jump the queue, you're right, I totally like them more :)

    Oh, and if you love having gorgeous nails, check out my Butter London Giveaway!

    www.iwastakenbysurprise.blogspot.com
    xx

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    1. Hi Jessica-Anne, you would have great insight. I let people go head, but i am going to do it even more now :). Off to check out your giveaway now. I love Butter London. Rachel xx

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  7. Gold! I almost never go supermarket shopping because the Wekshman does it on the way home. So it is actually a bit of a treat for me. How sad is that?! We had a family trip to the supermarket today. Oooh, life on the edge! :)

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    1. You are lucky! The welshman is awesome. We should have gone to the supermarket yesterday but it all seemed too hard. Rxx

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