5 Things We Can Learn from Gierige Gerda
Minke knows exactly how to make ends meet on a small budget, where to shop for groceries cheaply and how to get the most out of your household budget. She writes about this on her blog Gierige Gerda, which has been around for more than seven years. Would you also like to get more out of your money? Take advantage of Gerda’s creative tips, er… Minke’s.
Gierige Gerda shares money-saving tips
Four for the price of one, fifty percent off and extra bonus points: supermarket offers are very tempting. But Gierige Gerda says: don’t let them drive you crazy. She herself once bought lots of small tins of vegetables on impulse, but she was able to use them for years. Don’t buy food you don’t like, and if you’re unsure: don’t stock up too much.
Don’t let the offers drive you crazy
Controversial tip: don’t care about what other people consider a good deal. And that also applies to Gierige Gerda’s advice, although we’ve never seen her get it wrong.
Being fourth in line at Jumbo is a pleasant surprise
Gerda shops at Jumbo and has to wait in line for a moment. Someone in front of her complains: the fourth person in line gets their groceries for free; that’s what the store advertises. And she is the fourth! The video footage is checked and no, the complainer isn’t the one, because the person paying does not count as part of the line (good to know, by the way). But Minke, standing behind her, is the fourth, so the entire bag of groceries can come home for free! Exception: she has to pay for the bottle of wine. Still, that’s a very nice bonus! Another Jumbo money-saving tip: if a product is best-before today, you can take it with you for free. Happy hunting, little savers!
Not wasting food while saving money is a win-win
Minke is a fan of the Too Good To Go bags (check out the app), but she also finds bargains elsewhere. Almost every supermarket has a shelf or basket with products that are being discontinued or are nearly past their best-before date. See something tasty, but already have dinner for tonight? The freezer is your friend. Preserving and bottling are also options. And you can always take that best-before date with a grain of salt, as the site says: ‘There’s no date on the vegetables in the vegetable garden either.’
Money is lying in the street
Sometimes literally! The tip: always look at the ground when you’re out walking. Not only to photograph sidewalk plants, but also because you might find money there. Coins also sometimes remain in supermarket trolleys, and some people leave groceries behind at the packing table and in the car park. Keep your eyes open and you’ll find it all. Gierige Gerda also picks up receipts, because you receive a small amount through the Storewards app for every receipt. Every little bit helps…
You can save money with a pantry
Over time, Gierige Gerda has built up a well-stocked pantry. And that saves money, especially if you mainly shop the offers. Buy both edible and non-edible products (paper towels have become more expensive again lately, so having them on the shelf does make a difference) and keep your supplies tidy so you can keep track of everything. And if you think Minke’s entire utility room and garage are packed: no, just two cupboards in the house, that’s all. It does look enviably neat, though!
