Seven ways to save on your weekly shop
Victoria Bischoff explains how to make spectacular supermarket savings in seven easy steps.
Over the past year many people may have felt they’re getting less bread, beer and bananas for their buck at the supermarket.
It’s unfortunate that as the credit crunch hit, so did food price inflation – and we’re still feeling the effects of both.
Luckily, there are a few tricks you can try to help cut the cost of your weekly shop.
1. Plan ahead
Decide in advance what meals you want to eat each week, then make a good old fashioned shopping list.
Think about which days you’ll be working late or going out, and plan to use leftovers from the night before on these evenings.
Once you have your meals in mind, go through your kitchen cupboards and make a note of what’s already languishing in dark corners. This way your shopping list will only include what you need and prevent you buying more of what you already have.
If you stick to your list religiously while you’re at the supermarket, you should find it easier to avoid those expensive impulse buys.
2. Beware of supermarket scams
Supermarkets love to lure you into buying more than you need, so be on your guard and ensure you don’t make these shopping slip-ups:
• Never go shopping when you’re hungry. If you have a snack before you go, your tummy is less likely to rule your head.
• Prepare to pass tempting goodies on your way to pay. Supermarket layouts often force you to walk around the entire store so you have to spend more time surrounded by delicious, expensive delicacies. Keep your head down and stick to your list.
• Look high and low for the best bargain. Many supermarkets strategically place their most profitable goods at eye level so you see them first. Make sure you look the shelves up and down for the best-value versions of items such as tinned tomatoes, kidney beans, biscuits etc.
• Don’t be dazzled by discounts. Brightly coloured sale signs can fool you into believing you’re getting a better deal than you are. To get value for money you should only go for goods you’re going to buy anyway. Alternatively, indulge in 3 for 2 and BOGOF deals only when you know you can use your items while they’re still in date.
3. Change your habits
If you’re a creature of habit and always shop at the same supermarket, you could be missing out on some serious savings.
Recent statistics from TNS Worldpanel show that, since the credit crunch, more people have started shopping at the budget supermarkets Lidl, Aldi and Iceland.
These stores can be great for stocking up on your basics, even if you don’t want to shop there every time.
Also, try and be flexible about which brands you buy. Keep your eyes open for offers on brands you might usually ignore and don’t be afraid to branch out if there’s a great deal on an alternative.
4. Downgrade your brand
The old saying ‘you get what you pay for’ has led many people to assume that if something is more expensive it will be better quality.
Next time you go food shopping, try swapping one or two of your expensive brand names for a cheaper supermarket’s own equivalent. See if you can really notice a difference.
People often pay more for goods with pretty packaging. However, don’t forget that other old saying: never judge a book by its cover.
The useful website SupermarketOwnBrand reviews own brand products and rates them out of ten based on how they compared to their big-name rivals.
5. Shop online
Shopping for your groceries online can save you time, money and a lot of supermarket stress. Instead of trolley dashing through the aisles, Supermarket Sweep style, you can avoid the crowds and order what you need from the comfort of your own home.
It’s also easier to avoid buying tempting items you don’t need if you shop via the web.
If you shop through mySupermarket, this clever site will compare the price of items sold at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Ocado. Once you’ve completed your selections, you can switch and buy your groceries from the store that sells the specific items you want at the lowest price.
MySupermarket will also save a record of what you’ve bought under ‘My favourites’ so you don’t have to re-enter every item again next time.
For me, the best thing about shopping online is that all your heavy shopping bags are delivered right to your doorstep. If you book through mySupermarket and don’t mind having your shopping delivered late, you can often get free delivery on purchases over £75. That’s cheaper than petrol or a taxi home!
6. Use vouchers
Check out websites such as HotUkDeals and myvouchercodes.co.uk. You should find a selection of click-and-print the vouchers and discount codes that can be used online.
Also, it’s always worth using a loyalty card when you shop, as when you’ve collected a good stash of points you can take advantage of some great offers – both in-store and elsewhere.
7. Waste not, want not
According to the website LoveFoodHateWaste, the average family throws away £600 worth of food each year. Here are some tips to help you avoid wasting resources:
• Go through your fridge and check the use by dates on everything. Use your perishable goods first.
• Make sure you understand the difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before.’ Items which have gone past their ‘use by’ date could be dangerous to your health, whereas products labelled ‘best before’ are usually edible for longer.
• Check your portions are accurate. If your eyes are bigger than your stomach and you tend to cook too much, be a smart cookie and use the leftovers for lunch the next day.
• Wasting less food will not only protect your pocket - you’ll also be doing your bit for the environment too.
**This material is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly encourage our readers not to rely solely on this content, but to seek independent advice when making financial decisions.**
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