Lesser-known grocery shopping hacks

Adulting is already hard enough, but there’s still grocery shopping, just one of the chores you have to figure out every other week. Between checking expiry dates, setting aside a shopping budget, and planning a shopping list, the task almost feels like a second full-time job. But don’t worry – we’ve uncovered some lesser-known grocery shopping hacks that’ll help you conquer your next supermarket run.

How would these hacks improve my grocery shopping experience?

Most of these hacks are cost-saving techniques that’ll help you stretch your dollar with freebies, vouchers, cashback, or rebates. For instance, you can actually share your SG60 vouchers with your family members, so everyone gets a slice of the savings pie.

Other tips are for those forgetful moments or when you’re in a rush at the supermarket.

1. Getting free disposable ice

Helps prevent frozen items from thawing

Fresh fish from the supermarket.
Image credit: William W via Google Maps

Buying frozen items or fresh fish can be tricky, as there’s a risk that they might thaw before you make it home. To prevent that, ask a staff member for some disposable ice, and most of the time, they’ll happily give you some for free. Just remember to toss it once you get home, before someone tries using it in their drink and wonders why it tastes weird.

Availability varies depending on the supermarket, but some Redditors have mentioned that it’s most common at Cold Storage and Fairprice Finest. Some comments also suggest asking the workers at the seafood section.

Go a step further by bringing an insulated bag to place all the frozen items. It’ll keep everything cold for longer and save you the horror of melted ice cream before you even unpack.

2. Daily discounts for seniors & CHAS cardholders

Extended until the end of 2026

Image credit: FairPrice Group

FairPrice rolled out a daily discount scheme a while back to make groceries a little easier on the wallet for certain groups, and good news: it’s been extended from the original end date on 31st December 2025 all the way to the end of 2026.

Senior citizens aged 60 and above, Pioneer and Merdeka Generation cardholders, and CHAS Blue and Orange cardholders are eligible. If you fall under one of these categories, you can redeem vouchers on the FairPrice Group app (App Store | Google Play) or flash your physical card at the cashier when shopping at FairPrice outlets.

Discounts for each group are divided into different days of the week. Here’s a breakdown of the discounts for each day:

3. Using apps like Healthy 365 to get vouchers

Earn Healthpoints & redeem them for rewards like vouchers

Sticking to a healthier lifestyle isn’t easy, especially over the long haul. Luckily, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has your back with the Healthy 365 app (App Store | Google Play), which rewards you for making healthier choices.

Earn Healthpoints through the app by tracking your daily steps, or completing surveys and quizzes, among others. Then redeem them in exchange for rewards, like HPB eVouchers, which can be used at FairPrice and other merchants.

If you have the FairPrice app, you can also link it to the Healthy 365 app and earn points by purchasing an item with a healthier choice symbol.

4. Voucher stacking when ordering groceries online

Save more by using more than 1 voucher

Screenshot from: Shopee

The 11.11 or 12.12 sales on platforms like Shopee and Lazada are big events every month, and for good reason. These mega sales help you save big with vouchers and free shipping, making them one of the best times to go online grocery shopping. There are usually vouchers you can claim beforehand, which allows you to do something called voucher stacking to score bigger discounts.

Some of these vouchers have different minimum spending requirements, so plan your festive shopping trips around one of these sale periods to get the most bang for your buck. Also, keep in mind that some platforms only allow you to stack different voucher types, and there may be caps on how much discount you can get.

5. Grab a free shopping bag

No more paying for plastic bags

Reusable Back Rack at the 100 AM FairPrice Finest outlet.
Image credit: Journey to Zero Waste Life in Singapore via Facebook

In an effort to be more environmentally conscious, many supermarkets in Singapore have started charging for plastic bags. This initiative is mainly to encourage shoppers to do their part for Mother Nature by bringing their own reusable bags.

But on days you happen to forget, FairPrice has you covered. Many outlets have bag racks stocked with donated paper or reusable bags. Just grab a bag from the rack so you don’t have to pay for a plastic bag.

These racks are community-driven, so if you ever have surplus, feel free to drop some here for others to use.

6. Buying gaming consoles using CDC or SG60 vouchers

Get Nintendo Switch 2 consoles & games at FairPrice Xtra

Image credit: Amazon Singapore

Yes, you can purchase gaming consoles and electronics using CDC vouchers, and if you’ve got your eye on the Nintendo Switch 2, you’ll be glad to know that Fairprice Xtra sells them. Use the FairPrice app to check which outlet has them in stock, then head down and grab one for way less with your CDC or SG60 vouchers.

But it’s not just gadgets – you can also make use of your vouchers to get medicine, supplements, and general health supplies from the Unity pharmacy inside FairPrice supermarkets.

7. Using a credit card for payment

Enjoy cashback on grocery purchases

For those questioning whether a credit card is worth it, here’s a great reason to get one: cashback and rebates. Whenever you do grocery shopping, pay with your credit cards, like POSB Everyday, DBS yuu, and Trust, to get cashback.

These cashback rates can go all the way up to 18%, which adds up over time, the more you spend with the card.

8. Buying in bulk

Enjoy more savings on bulk purchases

Image credit: Rick Hkc via Facebook

During festive seasons, there’s usually a lot of cooking to be done as families plan for reunion dinners and house visits. This often means stocking up on groceries, so it’s a good time to consider purchasing in bulk.

Many supermarkets and local grocers roll out festive discounts on items like packet drinks and cartons. Take a moment to compare these bundle deals with the price of buying items individually, and you might find that bulk buys give you better value.

For instance, you can get a carton of 24x250ml Pokka Jasmine Green Tea packets at Cold Storage for $8.95 – that’s ~$0.37/packet. Meanwhile, a smaller 6-pack costs $3.70, which works out to ~$0.61/packet.

9. Visiting supermarkets at strategic timings

Clearance sales later in the day

Supermarkets like Don Don Donki sell pre-packed meals, and near closing time, these items are sold at significantly lower prices to clear them. The timing for the clearance sale usually starts around 8pm, but it can vary depending on the day. During these times, prices are sometimes 20%-30% cheaper.

10. Choosing local or housebrands

Usually cheaper than international brands

Image credit: FairPrice Group

Supermarket chains in Singapore sometimes carry their own housebrand products, which usually cost less than big-name brands since there’s no extra shipping or fancy branding markup. There’s also a surprisingly wide option, from tissue boxes to potato chips.

Let’s use bread as an example: FairPrice’s wholemeal bread goes for $2.80, while Gardenia’s Wholemeal Bread starts at around $3.30. If you consider adding more housebrands to your typical grocery haul, it’ll help you save a lot more in a single receipt.

Breeze through your next grocery shopping run with these hacks

With so many aisles and endless choices, grocery shopping hacks like these can help make the experience less daunting. For even more tips, check out forums like Reddit, where fellow Singaporeans are willing to share first-hand tips and tricks.

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Cover image adapted from: William W via Google Maps, Journey to Zero Waste Life in Singapore via Facebook