The cost of living is soaring but there are plenty of opportunities for saving on your food bill.
Want to lighten the load on your wallet? As prices rise, Love Food Hate Waste shares nine ways to save money while also helping to reduce food waste.
Source: Love Food Hate Waste
make a list
1. Make a list, and check it twice
With apologies for the out-of-season reference, shopping lists are the first weapon in your arsenal when it comes to fighting both food waste - and extra spending. Write your shopping list in conjunction with your meal plan and you wont just be less likely to forget anything, youll also find that youre less likely to go off-piste with impulse buys.
shopping routine
2. Find a food shopping routine
We know life gets hectic, and weve all been there with the last minute dash to the shops for something for dinner after a long day. But, where you can, try to get into a regular routine with your food shop this will help limit the need for lots of extra shopping trips (and the potential that brings for extra spending).
Whether thats having a think about meals and your food shopping list on the same day each week, keeping a list handy on your phone for when things spring to mind, or booking in a regular online delivery or click and collect slot find a rhythm that works for you.
own brand
3. Shop own-brand
Sure, the packaging may not be as nice, but own brand products are just as good as their swankier branded cousins, while being a fraction of the price. Dont forget to compare the unit price or the cost by weight to make sure youre definitely getting the best deal.
deals
4. Beware the deals
There seems to be a deal to be had around every corner of every shop these days: Buy One Get One Free, Three for Two, Two for One Were all guilty of falling for them, and who can blame us?
Because we can never resist what seems to be a bargain, we often end up buying things we just dont need, or buying too much. Its not a bargain if it ends up in the bin!
prepared veg
5. Steer clear of pre-prepared fruit and veg
Its undoubtedly more convenient to buy pre-prepared fruit and veg especially cubes of that most hard-to-chop of vegetables, the butternut squash but youll pay a premium for it. Similarly, mashing your own spuds might take a bit longer, but youll almost certainly save a little by buying these instead of a ready-made version!
If you do need some pre-prepared foods, try the freezer aisle for longer shelf lives and, usually, cheaper prices, too.
labels
6. Look at the labels
Best Before and Use By dates can be complicated, and theres not room to talk much about them here (take a lookhereto learn more about food date labels), but if youre in the business of saving money on your supermarket shop theyre worth thinking about. Keep an eye on the Use By date in particular to make sure youre giving yourself enough time to use it.
when to shop
7. Shop at the end of the day
While were on the subject of date labels, if youre shopping for this evenings dinner, you might find that there are some yellow-stickered clearance bargains to be had because (still perfectly good!) fresh food is approaching the date on the label. Even if you cant use it straight away, its still great for freezing (and you can freeze right up to the Use by date too)! The yellow stickers tend to go on towards the end of the day, so time your shop right and you might just be able to snag a great price.
If you dont have a supermarket close by but have a local greengrocer or market, not only can you buy fresh fruit and veg loose (buying just the amount that you need), but often towards closing time there are some great deals to be had.
loyalty
8. Take advantage of coupons and loyalty card schemes
Loyalty card schemes and coupons are another way to help you save, whether on individual purchases or by accumulating points that give you money off future shops. Just be careful not to fall into the trap of buying something you dont need just because youve got a money-off voucher. Weve all been there!
leftovers
9. Buy one or two products that help you use leftovers
Make your food go further by investing in one or two inexpensive items to help you make the most of your leftovers conjuring up extra meals will mean you have less to buy overall, saving money as well as food! For example, tasty stock cubes, pots or pastes can turn leftover veg into a lovely soup, and a bag of rice or baking potatoes will help you make a meal out of leftover chilli or curry.
While youre at it, have a rummage in your kitchen for reusable airtight containers that will give you an easy way to freeze leftovers and put them in an easy to access cupboard or drawer. (Top tip: keep hold of those plastic containers from any takeaways, theyre great to reuse for this!). Having portions of leftover meals to hand in the freezer will save money on future shops by turning excess food into homemade ready meals.
