Grocery shopping in the Netherlands can get expensive quickly.
But you do not always need to shop at the cheapest supermarket or buy the cheapest products to spend less.
I recently managed to save around 30% on a grocery shop by combining several simple tricks. The good news is that most of these tricks are easy to use!
Here are 15 ways to save money on groceries in the Netherlands.
1. Check the supermarket offers before you shop
Before going to the supermarket, check the weekly offers. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, Aldi and other supermarkets run promotions all the time.
Do not build your shopping list first and then look for discounts. Do it the other way around! Look at the offers first, then plan your meals around them.
2. Use your supermarket loyalty card
If your supermarket has a free loyalty card, use it. There is little reason to pay the full price when the discounted price is available to you.
Check here my article on the best loyalty programs in the Netherlands.
3. Compare supermarkets
Do not assume that one supermarket is always the cheapest.
Prices can vary considerably between supermarkets.
Lidl and Aldi can be particularly useful for keeping the cost of fruits and vegetables down, while other supermarkets may have better deals on specific products.
Comparing a few expensive items that you buy regularly can make a difference.
4. Buy supermarket own brands
One of the easiest ways to save is to stop automatically buying well-known brands.
Try the supermarket’s own brand instead for basic products as rice, milk, canned vegetables and cleaning products.
The cheaper option is often perfectly good. You may not even notice the difference.
5. Look for products close to their expiry date
This is one of my favourite ways to save money. Most Dutch supermarkets discount products that are approaching their best-before or use-by date. You may find meat, dairy, bread, ready meals and other fresh products with significant discounts.
Check the discount stickers for these products!
6. Shop later in the day for discounted products
If you are flexible about when you shop, try going later in the day.
Supermarkets need to sell products that are approaching their expiry date. That can mean finding discounted fresh food towards the end of the day.
One of my favorites? 35% discount on sushi around 21:00 at Albert Heijn XL!
7. Use “1+1 free” offers carefully
A big discount does not automatically mean a good deal.
For example, 1+1 free sounds fantastic. But only buy it if you actually need two.
Check also the price per kilo after the discount. Sometimes is still more expensive than the supermarket brand.
8. Check the price per kilo or litre
Never compare only the package price. Look at the price per kilogram or litre.
A €2 package is not necessarily cheaper than a €3 package. The €3 package might simply contain twice as much. The unit price tells you what you are really paying.
9. Buy seasonal fruit and vegetables
Seasonal produce is often a better choice for your budget. And usually more tasty!
10. Freeze discounted food
Found a great discount but cannot eat everything immediately?
Freeze it.
This works particularly well for bread and meat.
A discount is only useful if the food does not end up in the bin!
11. Plan your meals around what is already at home
Before going shopping, check your fridge, freezer and cupboards. You may already have most of what you need. Then build your shopping list around those ingredients.
It also makes it easier to use food before it goes bad.
12. Make a shopping list and stick to it
A shopping list sounds boring. But without a list, it is much easier to throw extra snacks, drinks and random products into your basket.
Write down what you actually need. Stick to it.
13. Do not shop when you are hungry
This is a simple one but easy to forget.
Do not go hungry to the supermarket! Eat something before you go. Something filling and healthy like almonds.
14. Use supermarket savings programs strategically
Some supermarkets have additional savings programs.
For example, Albert Heijn offers Koopzegels, which allow customers to save alongside their grocery shopping.
These programs can be useful. But do not let a loyalty program convince you to spend more than you normally would.
15. Try a “cheap week” every month
You do not have to eat on a tiny budget every week. Try having one particularly cheap grocery week each month. Use what you already have. Buy discounted products. Choose cheaper meals. Use your freezer.
How I Saved 30% on My Grocery Shopping
So, how did I manage to save around 30%?
I Read the Bonus Folder in advance
I already knew that the NALYS kitchen paper was 1+1 for free!
Savings: €4,29
Bought seasonal products
This week strawberries and corn were in Bonus.
Savings: €2,50
Got an Albert Heijn Bonus card
Without the bonus card you can’t score on the Bonus products. Also with a Bonus Card you can optionally sign up for koopzegels.
Bought cheap supermarket brands
I got AH cloth detergent for only €4,99.
Shopped after 20:00
I found AH burger (containing 2 burgers) with 25% korting (discount). And a BBQ steak with an amazing discount of 70%.
Savings: €6,85
I saved in total €13,65 and we enjoyed a really nice BBQ for two.
Would you like also to share your receipt? Get in touch at info@myexpatwallet.nl!
Until next time, stay savvy,
Mew
