TikTokers reveal South Africa’s most affordable grocery store
EVER wondered which is the cheapest grocery store in South Africa? You are not the only one.
Numerous South Africans face the daily challenge of coping with increasing expenses related to everyday life, and this has brought about many conversations on social media regarding the cheapest grocery store right now.
Starting the conversation on TikTok was Donalbain Machabaphala (@iam. donalbain), who recently took to the video-sharing app to show users the difference in prices of certain items at Woolworths, Checkers and Pick n Pay.
Machabaphala first noted the prices of a 2.5kg packet of sugar from each store: at Woolies, it cost R53.99 (on special); at PnP, it cost R68.99 and at Checkers, it was between R64.99 and R69.99.
Next, he looked at Lucky Star's tinned pilchards. At Woolies, it costs R50 for two (the original price was R27.99); at PnP R54 for two and at Checkers R50 for two when using the Xtra Savings Rewards card, with one
tin costing R27.99. Donalbain looked at six 1-litre cartons of milk. This time, he did not go to PnP but at Woolies, a six-pack was R99.99 (on special) and at Checkers, R99.99. He captioned the post, “Now I wonder who told us that Woolworths is expensive?”
South Africans had a lot to say in the comment section. Tsholofelo Sithole wrote: “Milk, cooking oil, toilet rolls, most of the time you get them at the lowest price at Woolworths. Meat is the most expensive there.”
Lauryn wrote: “Spar is where the danger is. Those prices are insane.”
YibaJay commented: “I did a study on this in my final year, and Woolworths is a cheaper than Pick n Pay, with Spar being the most expensive.”
Looking to save money on groceries, here are a few hacks:
Save fresh herbs for later
Does a packet of fresh herbs get used before it goes past its best date? Seldom, right? But they can be frozen to flavour your food in the future. Use an ice-cube tray, chop them up, and mix with water or stock – then you can simply pop one in the pot the next time you see fit.
Generate leftovers
I always try to make more of an evening meal, and I cook in the hope that there will be leftovers for lunch the next day. Pasta, noodles or rice dishes are all good for making in excess and will save you from having to buy lunch the following day.
Shred and slice your own cheese
Cheese is expensive, and the price only goes up when it is sliced and grated for you. Do the work yourself. Buy a large block of cheese, grate what you need, slice the rest and freeze.