If you’re living in Switzerland on a student or expat budget, grocery shopping can feel like walking through a minefield. Prices are high, deals are rare, and one wrong move can blow your weekly food budget. But don’t worry, I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to.
In today’s post, I’ll walk you through the most common budget grocery shopping mistakes people make in Switzerland, and how you can shop smarter, save money, and still eat delicious, balanced meals.
1. Shopping Without a Plan
| The Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | The Fix |
| Going to the supermarket hungry and without a list. | You end up buying random items that don’t go together, and probably some overpriced snacks, too. | Make a weekly meal plan and shopping list. Try to base your meals around low cost and versatile ingredients (like eggs, lentils, or carrots).
Bonus: It helps reduce food waste.
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2. Only Shopping at Coop or Migros
| The Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | The Fix |
| Assuming those are your only options. | These supermarkets are convenient but not always the less expensive, especially for fresh produce and pantry staples. | Check my article:
Where to Shop for Affordable Groceries in Switzerland
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3. Buying Everything Fresh
| The Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | The Fix |
| Thinking canned or frozen means low quality. | Fresh tomatoes or spinach are great, but also expensive, especially out of season. | Frozen spinach, mixed vegetables, and canned tomatoes are often more budget-friendly, last longer, and work just as well in cooking.
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4. Ignoring Bulk Buys
| The Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | The Fix |
| Always buying the smallest pack to “save money.” | In Switzerland, bigger packs usually mean better value per gram. | For non-perishables like rice, pasta, oats, or spices, go for the bulk option when possible. It’s an investment that pays off over time. |
5. Not Checking Discount Labels
| The Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | The Fix |
| Overlooking the little orange or yellow stickers. | You might miss out on major savings, especially on soon-to-expire items. | Look for discounts, especially at the end of the day. You can often score bread, veggies, or dairy at half price. |
6. Skipping Store Brands
| The Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | The Fix |
| Assuming branded = better. | Brand-name products can be double the price for the same quality. | Go for store brands like “Prix Garantie” (Migros) or “M-Budget” and “Coop Prix”. They’re usually just as good and much budget-friendly. |
7. Not Comparing Prices per Kilo/Liter
| The Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | The Fix |
| Looking only at the total price. | The cheapest looking item isn’t always the best deal. | Always check the price per kilo or liter (displayed on the shelf label) to find the real value. donc par exemple quelque chose avec le prix per kilo
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Final Thoughts
Grocery shopping on a budget in Switzerland isn’t easy but it’s totally doable. The key is to be intentional: plan ahead, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to try new stores or products.
Want to see what I cook with my 5 CHF grocery hauls? Check out my recipe series for ideas like:
Roasted Carrots & Chickpeas for Under 5 Francs #1
Honey Goat Cheese Gnocchi for Under 5 Francs #2
Cheesy Carrot Wraps for Under 4 Francs #3
Pesto Burrata Sandwich for Under 5 Francs #4
Tuna Taboulet for Under 4 Francs #5
Shakshuka for Under 5 Francs #6
Got any grocery-saving hacks of your own?
Drop them in the comments your smart-budget meals!
Note: All images in this post were either taken by me or generated using artificial intelligence.
great tips!!! so many people do not know how to save money with grocery shopping, assuming this is impossible! Btw Migros is investing huge amount of money in Migros Budget, the quality got so much better as well as the product range:) Thank you very much for your Blog Alix!!!
You’re absolutely right! It’s great to see more affordable options without compromising too much. Really appreciate your comment and support!!