Are your exhaustive food bills are stopping you from doing the things you love at the weekends? Read our six easy ways to slash your food bills and eat diligently with more money in your back pockit!
Plan meals in advance
Planning meals in advance offers two benefits. You’re less likely to purchase ready meals and pre-packaged products which are always more expensive than a home-cooked meal. Secondly, you can use your ingredients in the most cost-effective way without wasting produce. Sitting down every Sunday to plan the week’s meals is a good idea. Keep things simple and nutritious and consider how you can supersize meals and freeze half. One-pot dishes, such as stews, work well.
Downshift product choices
Most people have favourites that always end up in the trolley. Savings can be made by comparing cheaper products against these regular choices. If there is no difference in taste and enjoyment between the cheaper and more expensive options, you should consider switching. In many cases less expensive options are better for you as they do not contain as many artificial ingredients. Downshifting is especially worthwhile for non-edible products such as washing up liquid, washing powder and toiletries.
Eat before shopping
Supermarkets use a plethora of marketing tricks to encourage spending. Impulse purchases, often driven by acute pangs of hunger, make up a significant proportion of the average weekly spend. Ensure you shop on a full stomach. Buying according to a budget and meal plan also helps as you’re less likely to buy outside the scope of both. Supermarkets also know that young shoppers can drive a significant proportion of impulse purchases, so it’s worth leaving your children at home when you do the weekly shop.
Use special offers in the right way
Many shoppers make use of special offers, such as ‘buy one, get one free,’ but they are only cost-effective where you would normally buy the product even it was not part of a promotion. On non-perishable items, such as toothpaste and toilet paper, buy as many as you can store. Make use of offers on perishable items only if you can use both before they go off.
If you find that a special offer is sold out, ask the supermarket for a raincheck voucher which entitles you to the same deal once the item’s stock has been replenished. Some supermarkets hand these out willingly and some may refuse; it generally depends on the staff member you ask.
Think before you bin
Before you throw away food, make sure you’re checking the right date. There are four dates that can potentially appear on packaging; knowing what they mean can help you save hundreds of pounds a year. If the use by date has passed, throw the product away immediately, particularly for foods such as milk and eggs. Health risks can be significant if these are consumed after this date. Best before dates are typically found on longer-lasting products; this is advisory and most foods can be safely consumed after this date. Display until and sell until dates are for supermarket staff and should not be consulted.