Money Matters: Saving money on your food shop
Searching for ways to cut your food bill is essential as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
We are having to juggle rising energy bills, petrol prices mortgage payments, or rent, on top of paying more for our weekly food shop.
Here are some handy tips on how to save money on food shopping.
Set yourself a budget
It’s good to know how much you are planning to spend before you even leave the house.
Don’t shop hungry
We’ve all been there. A full stomach will help you view food in a more practical way!
Consider swapping your supermarket
Cheaper supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi offer brilliant discounts without skimping on quality. Shops like Home Bargains sell branded household products and some food items – worth a look if you’ve got one close to you.
Shop online
One sure way of sticking to your shopping list is by doing it online. You can enter exactly what you want without the worry of being tempted by other products.
Check out online discount stores
Save money on food by choosing products that are just past their sell-by-date. Items are available for a fraction of the price on sites such as Approved Foods and Cut Price Barry’s, which can pass on massive savings to their customers.
Make the most of loyalty cards
Loyalty cards are a great way to save money on food and earn a little extra while you shop. A Tesco’s Clubcard can offer you huge savings in-store – and points can be transferred into higher-value things such as days out and family meals.
Buying wonky fruit and veg
Buying fresh fruit and veg adds up, but you may be able to cut the cost by finding misshapen produce. Morrisons Naturally Wonky, Tesco’s Perfectly Imperfect and Sainsbury’s Imperfectly Tasty offer great value. Lidl does a ‘Too Good To Waste’ box with 5kg of fruit and veg for just £1.50,
Test the value range
You can often save a pile of cash buying the value range, particularly when it comes to your basic foods. For example, a 500g bag of Smart Price Asda pasta will set you back 29p, compared to around 80p for the standard range. Similarly, Morrisons Savers chopped tomatoes are 32p for 400g, compared to 45p for its standard version.
Buy frozen
Frozen fruit, vegetables and fish are often cheaper than fresh and they last much longer. People often think that frozen foods aren’t as fresh but the vegetables and fruit are frozen as soon as they’re picked - so they’re actually fresher.
You may be entitled to extra help towards milk and healthy food if you’re pregnant or have young children
If you are on a low income, check your eligibility and apply at Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)
24th May 2022