The escalating prices of food are affecting households across the UK, causing financial strain. If you find yourself grappling with the mounting costs of food shopping, you're not alone. While food prices may appear beyond control, numerous strategies can help you trim expenses and save money on your grocery bills. From smart budgeting techniques to prolonging the shelf life of your groceries, explore the ways to reduce the cost of your next food shopping spree.
Rising food prices are putting a squeeze on household finances across the UK. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the increasing cost of your food shopping, you’re not alone. Although food prices can seem out of our control, there are many ways to cut costs and save money on your grocery shopping. From tips on planning your food shop to tricks on finding cheap deals, we share exactly how to save money on food shopping.
Planning your food shop:
Evaluate your current food spending: Examine your bank statements to gauge your current expenditure on food shopping. Many mobile banking apps allow you to review past spending by category, identifying areas of significant expense.
Set a spending limit: Develop a budget to determine your allocated funds for food shopping, whether on a weekly or monthly basis. Establish a spending cap to guide your food-related expenses.
Check existing supplies: Before shopping, survey your kitchen and freezer to identify items already on hand. This practice helps avoid unnecessary purchases, contributing to overall savings.
Plan your meals: Reduce your food bill by planning meals in advance. This strategy provides clarity on required ingredients and aids in identifying more affordable alternatives.
Compile a shopping list: Always create a list before heading to the supermarket or shopping online. A list helps adhere to your budget and resist impulse buying.
Cut back on luxuries: Trim expenses by eliminating non-essential luxury items. Consider crafting your favorite treats at home instead of purchasing them.
Finding the cheapest food prices:
Compare prices: Utilize price comparison apps and websites like Trolley and My Supermarket Compare to identify supermarkets offering the most cost-effective deals on thousands of groceries.
Explore budget supermarkets: Investigate discount supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl, which may provide more economical options compared to traditional retailers. Online food suppliers like Approved Food offer discounted items near their best-before dates.
Leverage loyalty schemes: Capitalize on supermarket loyalty programs like My Morrisons Card, Sainsbury’s Nectar card, and Tesco Clubcard to accumulate points and rewards for future savings.
Seek discounts: Money-saving websites like SuperSavvyMe and VoucherCloud offer discounts that can contribute to substantial savings on food. Keep an eye on supermarket magazines and receipts for additional deals or discount codes.
Consider meat-free nights: To reduce costs, incorporate vegetarian meals into your weekly plan, as meat and fish tend to be pricier. Websites like BBC Good Food and Meat Free Monday offer meat-free recipes for inspiration.
Saving at the supermarket:
Opt for budget brands: Choose more affordable or store-brand alternatives at the supermarket, known as downshifting, to lower your overall food bill.
Be cautious of special offers: While buy one get one free offers can save money, ensure you genuinely need the items and can utilize them before expiration. Explore alternative, less expensive options.
Avoid ready meals: Pre-packaged meals are often more expensive than cooking from scratch. Opt for home-cooked meals, and consider batch-cooking in advance for convenient 'ready meals.' Shop seasonally: Favoring seasonal produce can contribute to cost savings on your food bill.
Embrace frozen foods: Frozen fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish are generally more affordable than their fresh counterparts. Additionally, they minimize food waste as you can use only what's needed for a meal.
Check the reduced section: Explore supermarket reduced sections for potential bargains. Items close to expiration can be frozen to extend their lifespan.
Time your shop: Experiment with different shopping times to catch supermarket reductions. Some stores may implement discounts in the evening or early morning.
Buy in bulk: Consider purchasing larger multipacks, which are often more cost-effective than buying smaller quantities. Be mindful of product use-by dates to prevent waste.
Check unit prices: Compare similar items with different packaging sizes using unit prices, typically provided by weight or volume, to ensure optimal value.
Avoid shopping hungry: Shopping on an empty stomach can lead to overspending. Whenever possible, eat before heading to the supermarket or opt for online food shopping.
Look at the bottom shelf: Lower shelves often house cheaper items. Be strategic and explore these shelves to save money on your food shopping.
Bring your own bags: Carry reusable bags to avoid additional charges at the checkout. Consistently bringing your bags can accumulate savings over time.
Limit supermarket trips: Exercise discipline in the frequency of your supermarket visits to prevent overspending. Fewer trips can lead to substantial savings.
Spending tricks:
Shop online: Online shopping can help control spending by reducing exposure to tempting in-store deals. Additionally, leverage cashback sites for added savings.
Utilize shopping services: As navigating supermarkets becomes more challenging, especially with age, consider using local shopping services provided by charities like AgeUK to find cheap deals and save money on food shopping.
Try a prepaid card: Employing a prepaid card can assist in adhering to a food budget. Load only the desired amount, reducing the risk of overspending. Keep in mind that prepaid cards lack Section 75 payment protection.
Seek cashback: Cashback apps and websites such as Shopmium, TopCashback, and Quidco enable you to claim money back on groceries from specific retailers, contributing to future savings.
Track your spending: Maintain a record of food-related expenses through spreadsheets or budgeting apps. Monitoring spending patterns ensures adherence to the budget, resulting in long-term savings.
Split the cost: If living in a shared home, consider splitting the grocery bill among residents. This approach is particularly useful for online shopping, allowing sharing of delivery costs.
Making food last longer:
Invest in reusable containers: Choose reusable containers for food storage instead of single-use options like sandwich bags and cling film.
Utilize leftovers: Save leftover portions for subsequent meals, extending the lifespan of your food shop and reducing overall costs.
Store food correctly: Adhere to storage instructions on food packaging to prevent premature spoilage.
Monitor use-by dates: Organize your cupboards and fridge to keep use-by dates visible, minimizing food waste and avoiding unnecessary replacements.
Freeze food: Freeze perishable items to extend their shelf life. For example, freeze sliced bread and retrieve slices as needed.
Regrow food from scraps: Explore the possibility of regrowing vegetables like spring onions, celery, and lettuce from stems or roots, contributing to savings.
Explore food waste apps: Apps like Too Good to Go offer discounted surplus food from supermarkets and restaurants, combating food waste and providing cost-effective options.
Where to get help with food:
If struggling to afford food, consider seeking assistance from charities such as The Trussell Trust, Bankuet, and the Independent Food Aid Network. Food banks may require a referral from professionals like social workers, Citizens’ Advice, health professionals, Jobcentre Plus, or others. Explore eligibility for free school meals if you receive government benefits to alleviate pressure