Eating nutritiously, without breaking the bank, is no easy task. The cost of food has gone up significantly in the UK in recent years, and it can be difficult to figure out how to balance your budget and still eat well. With a little bit of planning and savvy shopping skills, it’s possible to save money on food shopping without compromising on quality or nutrition. Here are some top UK tips and tricks to help you out.
Shop Around
Before you go grocery shopping, it’s always worth taking the time to compare prices at different stores. The UK has a huge variety of options when it comes to food shops – from discounters like Lidl and Aldi to high-end supermarkets such as Waitrose and M&S. Each store typically offers different promotions and discounts, so it’s worth exploring which one is the best for your needs. On top of that, you can also look into local markets and ethnic shops, which can be great for finding fresh produce and unique ingredients at a fraction of the usual price.
Check for Discounts and Promotions
Take advantage of stores’ discount and promotions sections when you’re food shopping. Many supermarkets, such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s, will have areas dedicated to discounted products which have been reduced, either for a limited time or as a permanent item. If you’re willing to invest a bit more time, you can also search for bigger discounts by scouring online for vouchers and coupons, or signing up for loyalty cards.
Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk can really help to bring down the cost of your weekly food shop. Many stores offer special bulk discounts, which could help you save a few extra pennies. However, it is important to make sure that any item you buy in bulk can be consumed or used before its expiry date, or frozen if necessary. You will also need to account for the delivery fee if you are shopping online, as sometimes these can easily add up.
Be Flexible with Your Shopping Habits
Flexibility is key when it comes to cutting down on your weekly food shopping bill. Take a look at seasonal fruit and vegetables to get the best value for money – in the UK these are generally picked to perfection and require less to no additional seasoning or preparation. Fresh fish is also an affordable option, although you will need to choose carefully as there may be a high risk of wastage.
Follow the seasonality of products too – there tends to be less offers when certain items are in season, such as winter and Christmas food. But if you purchase those items at other times of the year, you could end up making significant savings. Try to shop for staple items such as rice and pasta as far in advance as possible. These items tend to have longer shelf lives, so you can stock up and avoid having to pay extra for them in the future.
Make Meal Plans and Portion
Having a meal plan for the week ahead can really save you a lot of time and money. Not only will you be able to clearly see the items you need to buy, you will also be able to get a good idea of what things to buy when, such as cheaper daily items, and those that don’t need to be purchased as often.
Meal prepping is also a great way to save money. Portion out meals ahead of time, so that you know exactly how much food you need for the week and can avoid over-spending. This also ensures that your meals are consistent, nutritious and satisfying, which helps to eliminate the need to buy more than you need – and ultimately, spend more than you should.
Buy Fresh
It may be tempting to reach for the processed alternatives when you’re looking to save money, but when it comes to buying fresh produce, it’s less about the price and more about the quality and nutrition you can get. Fresh produce will last longer and provide more vitamins and minerals than pre-packed options. Stick to seasonal produce, which tend to be more affordable and keep the environment into consideration – purchasing food locally and organically often has a positive effect on the environment and tends to be cheaper too.
Use Apps and Cashback
Apps such as My Supermarket and Ocado are great tools for finding the best deals and offers when shopping online. And finally, use cashback sites and apps such as Quidco to get money back on any amount you spend. They often have tailored offers and exclusive discounts for certain items, so this can be a great way to save money on your weekly shop.
Food shopping doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. With a bit of planning and know-how, it is possible to buy healthy and tasty food without blowing your budget. Try out some of these useful tips to get started!