Each week across the ACM network Ali and Gaby Rosenberg offer quick tips for big wins in understanding your money. The sisters are co-founders of the Blossom micro-investing app.
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If you're in line at the supermarket, waiting to pay for 17 things you didn't want to buy, you can prepare yourself by guessing what it's going to cost you by adding $10 for each non-"home brand" item, then doubling the number you first thought of.
Grocery shopping these days is painful enough without the shock of a giant bill, so it's better to shoot for the moon.
With the cost-of-living crisis, Aldi comes up at lot in conversations because it actually can be cheaper (at least 4 per cent overall, says comparison site finder.com.au).
In an environment where you just decided not to "splurge" on body wash, any saving feels like a win, and winning feels good.
Whether or not you have an Aldi nearby, there are other supermarket hacks to give you those dopamine hits:
Buy things in bulk
Boring purchases like toilet paper, washing-up liquid, laundry detergent, shampoo, deodorant, garbage bags and pet food are never going away, so rip off the Band-Aid.
Then, every time you skip the toilet paper aisle because you already set yourself up until 2026 will feel like a cheat.
Only buy brands when you actually care
Do you prefer a specific paper towel? Does a certain cereal brand represent you as a person?
Spending more when it matters to you feels good, so if you have a personal or ethical standpoint on a product, or an affiliation with a particular brand, go ahead.
If you don't - and it's toothpaste - the laser focus is cheapest.
Never shop if you're hungry
Enough said. Even if you're just a little bit peckish, exit the building.
Play the game
A shopping list is not just a list of items. The way the human brain is wired, a list turns the objective of "obtaining food to live" into a game of "list completion".
Use the checklist function in the notes app on your phone and congratulate yourself with a big tick for every item secured.
Even if you think you know what you need from a shop, have it written down before and ignore all promotions (unless the principles mentioned above apply).
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Nobody likes overpriced goods - or talking about Aldi - because so few of us enjoy grocery shopping in the first place.
But we all love winning, so get out there and kick some goals.
- Sisters Ali & Gaby Rosenberg are the co-founders of Blossom App.
- Nothing in this article should be construed as being personal financial advice. It is general in nature only and has not taken into account your particular circumstances, objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information, strategies and investments are appropriate and suitable for you or seek personal advice from a licensed financial planner before making an investment decision. Past performance does not indicate future performance. BlossomApp Pty Ltd (ABN 74 644 216 151) is a C.A.R. (No. 001284228) of Gleneagle Asset Management Ltd (AFSL 226199).
- ACM co-owner Alex Waislitz has a stake in a company that provides services to Blossom. ACM is the publisher of this masthead.
