Easily save money by staying near a supermarket
One of the most common questions I am asked is how to save money during a trip or stay. An easy answer to that question is to shop at the local supermarket for all your food, drink, and household product needs. This tip can easily save you a hundred dollars or more per week. Shopping at the local supermarket also allows you to connect with the culture by shopping where the locals shop and experiencing everyday life as they do. If saving money and indulging in the local culture interest you, then read on for detailed explanations on how being near a supermarket is the way to go on all your travels.
Location, Location, Location
Location is undeniably king. Whenever you book a hotel or any accommodation, the location of your booking is of the utmost importance. Location can be the difference between a safe and convenient location and a dangerous and inconvenient one. For your next trip, I recommend booking a stay that is near a local supermarket. Being near means it’s within a walkable distance of 5-15 minutes to the local supermarket.
To find out if a supermarket is near your accommodation, you will need to do some research. The easiest way is to search the address of your hotel or accommodation on Google Maps and search the surrounding area for nearby supermarkets. If the accommodation is only near convenience stores or has no stores at all, skip it and look for another option. Convenience stores are not supermarkets, and you will pay a higher price for products for the sake of “convenience.”
Save money on everyday products
Buying products at the supermarket can save you serious cash, and it’s essential to be staying near one. If you aren’t wealthy, eating out every night will quickly drain your funds. You pay a premium for eating out due to the atmosphere, service, and food you receive. Sometimes you may want to allocate your limited funds for activities and sightseeing trips instead of spending it solely on food.
Besides food, the supermarket is a wonderful place to save money on everyday products such as soap, shampoo, clothing, toiletries, and other items. If you were to purchase these items in another type of store, like a convenience store or through the hotel, you would be charged a hefty premium. Smart shoppers will utilize the supermarket for the majority of their everyday product needs. It’s also worth mentioning that supermarkets often carry medical products at reasonable prices!
For nerds like myself, the supermarket is a great place for affordably priced replacement batteries, phone cables, and lens wipes.
The Perfect Place for Souvenirs
Another overlooked benefit of staying near a supermarket is that it’s the perfect place to purchase local souvenirs to bring back home and share with your loved ones or coworkers. A supermarket in any country is packed with local snacks, both sweet and salty, that make for wonderful souvenirs at an affordable price. On just about every trip, I love to bring back home chocolate candies or chips from the host country to have my family taste them.
Supermarkets often carry local books, calendars, clothing, keychains, refrigerator magnets, and other typical souvenir items.
An Overlooked Benefit
When your accommodation is near a supermarket, it’s often near public transportation and other businesses. The supermarket acts as a gathering place for the community, and many things are centered around it. Based on my experience, a supermarket, no matter where it is, has life and energy. It’s a great area to mingle and see how the locals live.
Supermarket Brands Research
When you research your next accommodations, use Google Search to find out which supermarket is located in the specific area you are staying in. There are thousands of supermarket brands out there, and you need to know which brands are located in the area you are searching so you don’t overlook one. Wikipedia is also a great source of identifying global supermarket chains.
Key Takeaways
Staying near a supermarket is one of the simplest ways to save money on your next trip. As mentioned, you can easily save hundreds of dollars per week by this simple move. The supermarket is stocked with all your everyday needs and fresh groceries. It is also the center of the community, so a supermarket is often near public transportation and other business establishments like bakeries, barbers, and restaurants. Location is critical to having a wonderful time in another country, so it’s best to have your hotel or accommodation in the most convenient location near a supermarket.
