Prices are rising at their fastest rate in nearly 30 years - but there is worse to come, experts have warned.
Soaring food costs and the energy bill crisis drove inflation to 5.4% in the 12 months to December, up from 5.1% the month before, in another blow to struggling families.
The last time inflation was higher was in March 1992, when it was 7.1%. And Tesco warned this week that food costs could jump by another 5% in April.
But the weekly food shop is an essential big part of your family budget, and despite rising prices, it’s not something we can simply go without.
Thankfully there are small changes you can make to beat the rises.
Personal finance expert Mrs Mummypenny has joined the Mirror as one of our team of experts here to help you through the cost of living crisis.
Below are her 10 top tips on how you can save money on your weekly shop.
Mrs Mummypenny will talk through her money-saving tips on the Mirror's Facebook page at 1pm today. She will also be on hand to answer your questions. To watch, visit facebook.com/dailymirror/live. If you have a question in advance email webnews@mirror.co.uk.
1. Ditch top-up shops for one big weekly shop only
I am hugely guilty of just popping to the village shop for a little something, milk and whatever else I grab whilst there.
You will spend a lot less if you just do one weekly shop and get everything you need at that one shop. And you save so much time too.
2. Write a shopping list
Put in a bit of preparation and write a shopping list before you shop.
Meal plan for the week, breakfasts, lunches, dinner and snacks.
Only adding the items to the list that you don’t already have in the freezer or store cupboard. Plan in a treat meal or two to reduce the temptation of takeaways.
3. Choose a smaller trolley
A simple trick but I have found I spend less with a half size trolley than full size.
4. Scout out the reduced section first
Head straight to the reduced fridge, bread and grocery sections of the supermarket and get what you can here from your list.
And be creative - maybe you had chicken on your list, but there is turkey in the reduced section – so substitute.
Don’t forget that much of it can be frozen to save for beyond the best before dates.
Get to know the best times to shop the reduced sections as this varies from one store to the next. Eg, 8pm at my local Tesco is the best time to hit the reduced sections.
5. Frozen goods are your friend
Frozen meat and vegetables are a much cheaper alternative to fresh, and there will less wastage too.
6. Tinned food is value for money
Plus it makes a great vegetable addition to a meal.
A tin of lentils will make a slow cooker dinner or soup go so much further. Canned beans of all types are our favourites.
7. Swap big names for own brands
Over the years I have switched so many branded goods to own supermarket brand. Ignore the advertising and the fancy packaging and go for the supermarket versions.
We are huge fans of Aldi own brand cereals, chocolate spread and washing powder.
The only brand my children refuse to switch is tomato ketchup.
8. Check the price per item, price per 100g
The shelf edge label will give you this information on the different sizes of packaging for items.
It’s not always the bigger volume packaging that gives you the best value.
9. Avoid the middle aisle/non-food/seasonal sections and end of aisle promotions
This is the part of the supermarket where you are likely to make that impulse purchase of the luxury candle or new mugs, that you don’t need.
And those end of aisle promotions are often branded treat foods, treat foods that didn’t make it to your shopping list that you will stick too. Avoid them all.
10. Shop when the supermarket is quiet and without children
A big one as a busy supermarket is stressful and you are more likely to just grab and go and not pay attention to the best prices of own brand goods or the price per 100g.
If possible don’t shop with children, it doesn’t matter how old they are they always ask for treats and slip in the odd item that they want.
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