8 Shopping Tips You Should Try If You're Super Kiasu And Wanna Save Some Money
Shop smarter to beat the inflation.
Published for AEON, 20 Oct 2023, 10:22 AM
With the cost of living and prices of goods increasing, many Malaysians are feeling the pinch financially
And it's not just food and groceries that have become more expensive. Everything, from the clothes we wear to the appliances we use, is no longer as affordable as before, resulting in Malaysians being more careful with how we spend.
However, did you know that despite our best efforts, we sometimes unintentionally overspend when it comes to shopping? Thankfully, a few lifestyle tweaks and changes to our shopping habits can help us save in the long run.
In collaboration with AEON, we've come up with a few kiasu tips to help you make the most out of your ringgit. Keep reading to the end to find out more about crazy savings AEON has in store for its members.
1. Compare the price per unit or weight of items to find the best value
At first glance, we tend to gravitate towards the cheapest item on the supermarket shelf, but it may not be the most value for money. For instance, a 250g packet of Brand A rendang sauce may cost RM7.50, while a 500g packet of Brand B costs RM10.
In this scenario, Brand A may seem "cheaper", but if you compare it at the same weight as Brand B, it would actually cost you RM15 for a 500g packet. Hence, Brand B is cheaper in this case.
Similarly, you can compare the price per unit or weight for anything you buy, from fresh produce and essentials like toilet paper, to even diapers and packs of stationery.
2. Try out downshifting, a.k.a. dropping one brand level in the items you buy
When it comes to money-saving tips, most people will advise to you to go for the most extreme form of saving by choosing the cheapest option. However, making such a drastic change is not always easy, which is where the idea of downshifting comes into play.
Basically, the concept is to drop one brand level on everything — if you're using a RM30 shampoo, try out a RM25 one. Then, see if you can tell the difference. If you can't, stick with the cheaper one. Or, instead of a branded white T-shirt, try a cheaper brand, or even a generic brand.
The main thing about downshifting is that it helps you find areas that you can cut without giving up on your lifestyle. It works especially great for everyday essentials like dishwashing liquid and cleaning products, since we can't really tell the difference half the time.
3. Don't be lazy when it comes to using your loyalty card
If you used to follow your parents to Jusco back in the day to shop, you'd remember them whipping out their J-Card to earn points. They'd even mark their calendars for J-Card Day and plan a family trip to Jusco to get the best deals.
Well, they were pretty savvy and money-saving shoppers back then! And nowadays, department stores offer member cards and loyalty programmes that are even more canggih than before.
As long as you're a little more rajin to scan your loyalty card, you may find that you actually can earn enough points to redeem a substantial cash voucher by the end of the year. You can even channel your inner kiasu spirit and offer to scan your loyalty card when you're shopping with friends, family, or colleagues to rack up even more points!
4. Buy in bulk, but only for certain items that you know you'll use
Buying in bulk is not the ultimate solution to saving money; in fact, many shoppers end up overspending when they don't finish using the items they buy.
When it comes to items with an expiry date, buy only as much as you can finish. Items that can withstand the test of time, like toothpaste, toilet paper, and detergents, are safe to buy in bulk for long-term savings.
5. Time your big purchases, so you don't spend all your money in one go
As much as we would all like to be able to snag items off the shelves whenever they're cheap, the fact is that most of us don't have the cash to spend that way.
For those of you who have recurring big purchases, whether it's for contact lenses, skincare products, or a regular wardrobe update (hehe), one way to shop smart is to space out your big purchases. This way, you won't be spending all your money in one go.
Or when it comes to household essentials, bulk buy toiletries one month, then kitchen needs the following month, whatever works best for you!
6. Shop for versatile items that you can use for more than one thing
If you're considering whether to get an item at the grocery store or department store, ask yourself, "Will I be able to use this for multiple occasions?"
For instance, if you're shopping for groceries and aren't sure what to cook, get items like potatoes and eggs, which you can easily repurpose for more than one meal. Or, if you're getting a dress, think about whether you'll wear it to different functions.
7. Bring your own reusable bags when you go shopping
While it may seem more convenient to just ask for a plastic or paper bag, or buy reusable bags whenever you go grocery shopping, the cost actually adds up over time.
Skip the hassle and pack a few reusable bags in your car boot, so you can whip them out whenever you go shopping. Not only does it save you a couple of ringgit, it helps the environment too!
8. Opt for items that offer refills
Whether it's shampoo, body gel, detergent, or other cleaning products, it's usually cheaper to buy refills instead of a new bottle every single time.
It may seem like a bit of a hassle having to refill your soaps each time you finish using them, but this little tip can help you enjoy instant savings, especially for big families that go through these items quickly.
If you're feeling kiasu and wanna save big on your expenses, now's your chance with the AEON Members A-Day that's happening at AEON supermarkets nationwide from now till November!
For those of you who remember the good old J-Card Days, well, A-Day is like that, but even better.
Not sure what the A in A-Day stands for? It could stand for anniversary, amazing deals, awesome prices, astonishing promos, affordable options, AEON-members-exclusive, and more, whatever you want it to be! ;P
Exclusively for AEON members, A-Day gives you a VIP pass to shopping nirvana, as AEON rolls out the red carpet for its loyal customers to say, "Thank you for being awesome!"
You'll get to enjoy all kinds of promotions, including exclusive discounts of up to 70% off. Plus, you can redeem a free RM10 e-Voucher with every RM100 spent in a single receipt storewide, along with a bonus RM10 Voucher if you pay using AEON Member Plus Visa or AEON Wallet.
Plus, enjoy referral rewards when you sign up two friends or family members as AEON members.
Mark your calendars for A-Day at these locations:
Not an AEON Member yet? You can sign up on the spot and redeem free gifts while you're at it!
New AEON Members will get to bring home AEON Member Pillows, while enjoying a waiver for their annual membership fee of RM12.
Furthermore, if your AEON membership expires before 30 September, and you renew it during A-Day, you'll get to walk away with a RM10 Voucher.
And that's not all. You can look forward to free gifts, lucky draws, purchase-with-purchase offers, as well as fun activities at A-Day.
There will be free gifts up for grabs for the first 200 AEON Members who spend a minimum of RM200. You'll also be eligible for the lucky draw just by spending a minimum of RM100 in a single receipt.
On top of that, AEON is launching purchase-with-purchase offers on Disney Mickey Mouse Collections, which includes backpacks, cookware, food jars, and dinnerware.
Throughout the day, AEON Members can also take part in fun activities, ranging from skin tests, cooking demos, salmon cutting, and free sampling, depending on which AEON supermarket you're at.
