How to choose counterparts expensive products in the supermarket

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We are used to buy goods, proven in the market: the Japanese car inspires more confidence than the Chinese, and the popular yogurt maker seems to taste better than the one that is done on local factory. And the best indicator of the product is its high price for us.

However, in the majority, there are cheaper analogues of goods. For example, luxury clothes have mundane copies in mass market stores, and at an expensive cosmetics - low cost versions of folk brands. Similar products at a lower cost is also in supermarkets. We understand how to select them.

For some categories of products we overpaying

The cost of any product made up of a plurality of parameters: cost, transportation and storage, packaging, advertising, taxes, rent, staff salaries, and the margin provider trading network. On this basis the products for which we overpay, can be divided into three categories.

1. Products of famous brands

Any product in the supermarket is represented by several brands: the neighborhood are various packaging

buckwheat and oatmeal, chicken legs of various manufacturers and many kinds of milk. They are about the same in quality, but different in price.

Companies compete for our attention and try to do everything that we buy their product is. Hence, the "water of crystal clear mountain rivers," "chocolate of the Alpine milk", "ice cream as a child." In the arsenal of dozens of marketing techniques, but most importantly - it is an advertisement. In any video sold the idea, not the product itself: sour cream - a grandmother's pancakes, yogurt - a happy family having breakfast.

"You sell shkvorchanie rather than chop" - describedThe art of creating advertising messages American advertising marketer Elmer Wheeler.

Generally benefit the companies whose name first comes to mind. It turns out that when we choose a certain product, then do not do it very consciously.

2. Goods, speculating on the lack of time

Many after work simply do not have time to cook something thorough, so buy semi-finished products. From a consumer point of view it is convenient and fast, but for the convenience comes at a price: ready pelmeni, Burgers, nuggets or minced meat are more expensive than those made by yourself. There are also products, openly speculating on the lazy:

• washed vegetables (potatoes, carrots, lettuce);
• sliced ​​products (bread, sausage, cheese);
• ready meal (salads, appetizers, meat products);
• sandwiches and other fast food.

3. Items that are expensive in themselves

Many of the products in Russia are so many that they have to save. This is especially true of imported goods, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. For example, the meat increased in price in the past yearFood in Russia in 2018 rose in price four times faster than in the EU by 7.8% and vegetables - by 20.8%Food in Russia in I quarter to go up to 3.1 times faster than in the EU (In the first quarter 2019).

Not to give up your favorite foods, try to find their less expensive counterparts.

How to choose analogues

1. Do not get fooled by the packaging

Beautiful presentation - it's part of marketing. Packaging is designed to attract your attention. Try making a purchasing decision based on a rational argument: price and quality.

Buckwheat and oatmeal in a transparent stack of beautifully wrapped as good croup. Milk in a package is cheaper than in the carton, and not inferior in taste. sprats without rings better than the bank than with him, just to open them, it will need a little more time.

2. Do not be afraid to experiment

Try to buy cheap goods that were previously ignored: powder less well-known brand, the other ketchup, more affordable canned peas.

If you do not like it - take will no longer enjoy - it will save.

Large retail chains are producing goods of its own brands. Many refer to such products with a grain of salt and sidestep, but often in vain. Such products are not worse than the products of famous brands but are less expensive: the price does not laid advertising and intermediary services, and the margin is less than that the goods looked competitive.

3. Choose foods that are similar in quality

Cheap products can always be found, but do not forget about the quality - otherwise there is a chance to choose something completely inedible. Therefore, goods, between which you select must be of the same category:

• The meat product, not the meat-containing.
• Sour cream, not sour cream product.
• Yogurt, not yogurt product.
• Cheese, not cheese product.
• Oil, rather than spread.
• Cottage cheese, not cheese product.
• Chocolate, confectionery tiles instead.

In addition, companies often save on production, adding to the composition of milk products vegetable fats and meat products - starch, soybean and mechanically deboned meat (cartilage, fat and bones). Therefore, when choosing the latter always pay attention to the category: meat deemedGOST 32951-2014 Semis, meat and meat-containing. General specifications semi-finished products in categories A and B.

The lower category (B, D, E), the lessGOST 32951-2014 Semis, meat and meat-containing. General specifications the percentage of muscle tissue (meat directly). For example, the category A is a meat content of more than 80%, category B - 60 to 80% Category B - 40-60%, category D - 20-40%, category D - less than 20% meat.

Be prepared for the fact that the taste may be different: each manufacturer its composition and formulation.

We'll have to try a few peers and decide which one is more delicious.

4. Buy frozen, not fresh

Off-season fresh vegetables, fruits and berries can afford not to all. Marine fish is considered a delicacy altogether, unless you live in the Far East. To save money, buy frozen foods - they are not inferiorWhy Frozen Fish May Be Better Than Fresh fresh quality. In addition, frost - it is the only way to deliver these products all year round (because of the short harvest and harvest period).

Pay attention to product quality. Well, if the package is written that used shock freezing - this is the bestIntroduction to freezing a way to keep the taste, appearance and use of the product. The major supermarkets are selling and unpackaged products - they are cheaper, but this method of storage have questions: a container with vegetables or berries can easily fall off someone's hair.

5. Take foods that are suitable for food, not just sound better

Let us explain the example of rice. On the shelves there are several varieties: Kuban, brown, jasmine, basmati rice, japonica and others. It seems that the most expensive rice - the best. In fact, each variety for certain dishes. For example, to cereals and soups suitable Kuban rice pilaf - basmati, for crisp garnish - jasmine, sushi - japonica.

If you overpay and buy a more expensive, your lunch will not be tasty.

In addition, some varieties of rice are similar in their properties, so they can be replaced: instead of expensive japonica take Kuban, and the brown for the replacement - steamed. At the heart of such savings are your knowledge of interest, whether it is possible something to replace an expensive product, and find counterparts. This way you can save on other products:

• For pancakes, muffins and ravioli optionally use white flour - suitable first or second.
• To make pork and ground beef, ham, take - the more valuable part of the better bake, roast and stew.
• Broth for soup can be cooked from inexpensive byproducts (tail, head, abdomen), the same with meat broth for soups.
• Analogue chicken perform chicken thighs without bones and skin.

6. Replace imports by local

However, this method is not suitable gourmets. For example, instead of Greek yogurt, you can use sour cream, cottage cheese instead of dessert - cheese and jam instead of anchovies - anchovies in spicy brine, and instead of goji berries - cranberries and rosehips. Such analogies are held for other products:

With the result that

Search counterparts in the store is not as difficult as it seems. We'll have to spend a little more time and effort to make a choice, but it's worth it: for the same product cart you will pay less, and the money saved will be able to direct the next vacation or long dream.