Navigating the Markets

Today is Saturday, and around the country that means one thing - Markets!

I live in Adelaide and usually make it to the Central Markets on a Saturday.  If you can handle navigating the markets at the crazy time then afternoon on a Saturday is when the fabulous bargains are to be found, however, if you need to buy exact food, and too many people will drive you bonkers I recommend going on a different day of the week, or earlier in the morning!

Today I managed to get the following items:
Cucumber $0.80
Second cucumber $1.80 (yes, a bit more pricey, but still cheap compared to the shops!)
Mango $1.00
Strawberries $2.00 punnet
Almost 2kg tomatoes $1.00
2 punnets cherry tomatoes $3.00
6 Avocados $1.00
Apples @ .99 per kg
Fresh Basil $1.00
Mushroom @ less than $6 per kg.
Pears @ 2kg
Banana @ approx $2.50 per kg (nice)
Snowpea sprouts $1 (I think)
Zucchini @ $3-$4 per kg


Plus a range of other gourmet fruit and veg at much cheaper than any grocer or supermarket prices.  Anyhow totalled to just under $35 for heaps of fruit and veg (and carparking)!  The fridge is full!

Last week I didn't make it to the market and paid approx:

2.60 for one cucumber
Definitely no mango as they were about $5 each.
No strawberries as they were about $4.00 punnet
4 tomatoes at approx 4.50 kg.  And they were tasteless - yuck.
No cherry tomatoes as they were about 2.50 per punnet at least.
2 Avocados for 3.80
3 Apples somewhere around $3-$5 per kg
Some coconut yoghurt that made me sick $10.90
No Zucchini as they were approx $7.00kg.

And so on... much less food, $75

In short $40 difference.  Yes, it's more time going to the markets, but I'm not earning $40 for half an hour's work.  Which is how much extra time it took.  The day I'm earning over $80 an hour and desperately short on time I might reconsider market shopping, but for now it's great for the budget.

The other point I will raise also is this: Yucky food, tasteless, makes you feel sick v fresh produce that I picked myself - much tastier!  It's a no brainer.  :)

Things to look out for when shopping at the markets:

If they are small, go around to all the stalls and check the prices, quality of produce etc. and have an idea of what you want (i.e. I knew I didn't want lettuce today as I still have some, but I knew I wanted tomatoes), but also be flexible.  In short orientate yourself with the place.  Each week.

Invest in a trolley bag of some sort.  They are around $20.  Definitely cheaper than a visit to the chiro or the physio, and you won't get so exhausted as you do lugging around bags.

Realise that some places are cheaper, and some places are fresher.  You can compromise what you're comfortable with.

Look around, don't get bullied into anything.  Traders are pushy.  If you semi like the idea, but could never pay that price, insult them by asking for a pittance (that you would pay).  Sometimes they will give it to you for dirt cheap if you push back.  Other times they will look at you like you're crazy and tell you that's ridiculous.  Your cue to say no thanks.

On that note, No is your best friend.  Do not pull out your purse too quickly.  However, it will cost you more initially, and you probably won't get the amazing bargains straight away.  It can take weeks and months of learning, watching, listening, and practising bartering.

Don't despair.  It is still probably cheaper, and you will get there.  ;)  Also, remember you are supporting the farmers, and if you buy the nicer produce it's still probably cheaper.

Happy Shopping!