Read more about Food
Make a List
Go through your kitchen. Check the ingredients and foodstuffs that are either finished or low in supply. Then, make a scale of the preference-based list. Did you just raise your eyebrow? Don’t you know that there are essential and non-essential kitchen supplies? Do you think it’s practical, for instance, to spend 5000 naira out of a 15,000 naira budget on seasoning when you’ve not bought foodstuffs or gas? So you need a priority-based list. It will deliver you from impulse buying. Moreover, your list should have a realistic spending amount. This will give you an idea of the total amount that you’ll need.Have a Foodstuff Shopping Budget
I’m sure that we can all agree that times are hard. I’m equally certain that food is not the only thing that you and your family need this Christmas. Moreover, life after Christmas is a fact. So, if you don’t want to end up in debt or to go borrowing in the new year, you need to draw up a budget. Specify what you can afford to spend and divide it amongst all the things you need to buy. Then ensure you stick to that budget.Shop Early
Don’t wait till it’s the 23rd of December to buy all your kitchen supplies. Their prices will be higher then. Apart from that, the market crunch will stress you out and if care is not taken, you may get discouraged and leave before completing your purchases. But all these stress can be avoided if you start early to fill your store with needed supplies.Sign up to the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Shop Online
Thanks to internet markets, you can buy whatever you need from the comfort of your home or office and it will be delivered to any location of your choice. Online shopping is convenient. It saves time and it allows customers to shop without pressure. Thus, if you don’t have time to go to the market, buy online. If you know you’re not strong enough, buy online too, make you no faint for the market because the pushing in Nigerian markets is not for small children. If you don’t know where to buy foodstuffs online, please check Jumia or people like @Nwanyimmanu of Instagram.Beware of Pickpockets
Pickpockets are a common, shall we say, almost invisible feature in Nigerian public transport system and the markets. If you’ve not had an encounter with them, I’m sure you must have heard tales of their activities. These guys take advantage of the market crunch to steal money and other valuables from shoppers. What’s more, these pickpockets keep reinventing themselves. Thus, when you go for foodstuff shopping, be at alert. Don’t leave your bag or purse lying carelessly while on the bus or in the market. Clutch your purse tightly and if you have a handbag, don’t leave it swinging by your side. Move it to the front where you can see it and use your arm to further secure it. This will save you from pickpockets that tear people’s bags. Lest I forget, when you stop to price foodstuffs bear in mind that some of the supposed customers around you are thieves in disguise. So, don’t relax your guard. Don’t leave your bag of foodstuffs lying carelessly in the market. If you really need to free your hands to touch what you want to buy, nwanne, use your legs to hold the bag of foodstuffs. This is to prevent stories that touch. In conclusion, my people, if you want to have a stress-free foodstuff shopping this Christmas, shop early or shop online, have a list and a budget then, be street smart. If you found these tips useful, please share with your family and friends. Featured Image Source: Feco FoodsGot a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com