If you pray for pay day and dread the 30th of every month, follow these top tips to make the most of your money and spread the pennies when it comes to food shopping.
1. Do a ‘Big Shop’
When money is tight, the last thing you want to do is pay out for a big weekly shop, but it can actually save you money. Think of how many times you have popped to the shop for a loaf of bread – was that the only item you purchased? It’s likely you added a few other things to your basket on the way round, bumping up the cost of your shopping trip. Do these 4-5 times a week and you will easily have spent more than if you had bulk bought your weekly essentials in one go. There’s also the cost of fuel to consider. If your nearest supermarket is around 15 minutes away, visiting a few times a week amounts to a whopping 2 hours of driving for return trips!
2. Write a List
Yes lists are boring, but they can make the chore of shopping faster, as you’ll grab everything you need in one trip around the shop. Write your meals for the week at the top, then the ingredients required split by aisle if you remember the layout of your supermarket.
3. Eat Before You Go
If you go shopping on an empty stomach, you’re more likely to let your grumbling tummy make purchase decisions for you. Go after you’ve eaten and you’re more likely to stick to the list rather than be enticed by the tasty treats you’re greeted with on the shelves.
4. Bulk Buy
Although this will add to the initial cost of the weekly shop, you’ll be saving on your shopping bill for the next few weeks. Things like toilet roll and washing powder are usually cheaper in bigger packs.
5. Compare Sizes
Look at the price label on the shelf for food products, for example Tomato Ketchup – compare the price per gram for the various sizes, the cost difference can be a lot cheaper on some bigger sizes…but not always on the biggest! Companies know that some people will assume the biggest size is the best value for money, but they often discount the second biggest size – check for yourself on the label before you add it to your trolley.
6. Try Somewhere New
You may go to the same supermarket each week just because you always have, but you could be saving big by shopping elsewhere. If you buy similar items each week, try shopping somewhere new to see how much you save on your shop. Supermarkets such as Aldi are growing in popularity due to their bargain prices without any compromise on quality.
7. Shop Online
Save petrol money and order online! The delivery cost is usually reasonable, and you may even find free delivery vouchers online. Shopping online can stop you from being tempted by products you didn’t intend to buy, making it easier to stick to your list.
8. Compare and Save
Where is the cheapest place to buy your favourite brand of fabric softener? Are there any deals on nappies? One website can answer all of these questions for you – http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/. You can compare prices on your weekly shop without leaving the living room – just enter your usual purchases, then switch between stores to see where you’d get them for less.
9. Keep Coupons
If the postman dumps mounds of junk mail through your letterbox each week, you may carry it straight to the bin – but it’s worth a sift through. From 50p off chips to £2 off toilet roll, the savings will soon mount up. Cut them out and put into your wallet so you don’t forget to take them with you on your next shop.
10. Stay Savvy
You may follow steps 1-9 and feel smug that you now get the best deal on your shopping, but those goalposts will keep moving! Keep your eye on the ball and compare supermarkets, individual items and sizes each week. Keep up with the monthly or weekly big shop, not forgetting to take your list. Eventually being a savvy shopper will become second nature, and you’ll be much better off each month.
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