An expert in saving money, cutting bills and making your cash go further has explained five tips that could help cut your shopping budget by £1,500 a year. Supermarket inflation hit 17.5% in the month to March 19, reaching another record high, Kantar said last month.
It means more than £800 could be added to yearly bills for the average household if they do not change their spending habits. Consumers have been taking action by shopping around multiple supermarkets to hunt for bargains, with households going to the shops just over four times a week in March – more than at any point since the start of the pandemic, other than Christmas.
Experts also suggested that people are opting for frozen food over fresh food because it is longer-lasting and less likely to lead to waste.
Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, said there are easy things he does to lower his food bill. He told The Mirror: “By following these simple tips, I’ve been able to save an average of £30 a week on my supermarket shop.
“That’s over £1,500 a year in savings! So if you’re looking to cut costs and save money on your groceries, give these tips a try and see how much you can save.”
Plan meals based on what’s on sale and in season
Tom always plans his meals for the week ahead based on what’s on sale and in season to help him save money.
Check the weekly flyers at each supermarket as well as their online deals to see what’s being offered at a discount.
"This helps me to create a shopping list that takes advantage of the best deals," said Tom.
"For example, some of the more popular vegetables in season are cauliflower from January to April, asparagus in June and July, carrots from June to September, broccoli from August to October, leek from September to March and sweetcorn in September.
"To save even more on your groceries, have a read of 'The Seasonal Cookbook: How to Turn Fresh, Seasonal Produce and Vegetables into Delicious Home-cooked Meals' by Diana Peacock and Paul Peacock.
"The 'Best-Ever Book of Organic Cooking: How to Make the Most of Fresh and Seasonal Produce' by Ysanne Spevack is another cookbook I enjoy."
Potential savings: £5-£10 per week
Buy store brands whenever possible
Tom also makes sure to buy store brands whenever possible.
"These products are often just as good as their name-brand counterparts but are offered at a much lower price," he said.
"I’ve found that this can save me a significant amount of money over time. Right now, the Asda Just Essentials range is my favourite.
"You can get a mega amount for just £5-£10. The products are bright yellow and usually on the bottom shelf."
Potential savings: £5-£10 per week
Change where you shop
Another tip is to change where you shop. Different supermarkets offer different deals and discounts, so it pays to shop around.
"I’ve found that by shopping at discount supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, I can save a lot of money on my weekly shop," explained Tom.
"But, you shouldn’t overlook places like The Range, Home Bargains, and Poundland. They’re effectively supermarkets too now and each one sells something for the cheapest price."
Potential savings: £5-£10 per week
Stick to your shopping list and avoid impulse purchases
It may sound obvious, but if you make a shopping list, then it's important to stick to it. This will help you avoid impulse purchases.
"This allows me to stay within my budget and avoid buying things that I don’t need," said Tom.
"I have a shopping list on my phone so throughout the week you’ll hear me shouting: 'Hey Siri, add milk to my shopping list!'
"I'll do this whenever I see a deal or product that's about to go on sale."
Potential savings: £5 per week
Check for coupons before heading to the store
Finally, always make sure you check for coupons before heading to the store.
"There are many websites and apps that offer coupons for groceries, and these can help to bring down the cost of your shopping even further," said Tom.
"Nectar now offers personalised coupons, as does Clubcard and Co-Op membership. Lidl has weekly coupons."
Potential savings: £5 per week
