Food prices are sky high at the moment and we are all getting a
nasty shock when we get to the checkouts. Here are some
helpful hints to try and steer you in a more budget-friendly
direction.
Don't let the shops take control
Some shops are cleverly designed by marketing experts to make
you part with your money. Sweets and magazines are placed at
the tills to tempt us, their most profitable items are placed at
eye level and basics, like the bread counter are always at the far
corner of the store so we have to walk the entire store to get to
them. So:
- Never go shopping on an empty stomach. If you’re hungry
you’ll be tempted to overfill your trolley
- Look at the high and low shelves for the other offers
- Think about where cheaper products may be situated. For
example – dried fruit in the baking aisle will be cheaper than in
the snacks aisle
- For a few items on your list try swapping your usual brand for
a supermarket own label product. Do a ‘taste test’ and you
might be surprised at the results
- Talking of swapping…why not try swapping your
supermarket? Some of the discount supermarket chains have
brands you may not have tried
- Take a list with you and stick to it.
Try growing your own food
If your garden is large enough why not start your own vegetable
patch? Or, if space is an issue find out more about container
gardening. Potatoes, carrots and many other fruit and
vegetables can be successfully grown in pots and containers.
Ready, steady... cook
You don’t have to be the next Delia Smith or Gordon
Ramsay. It’s simple to create tasty meals with the
basics.
- It’s amazing how much cheaper it is to cook a meal from scratch
rather than by convenience foods. If you spend £3 on a
macaroni cheese ready meal you could have cooked a meal for a
family of four for half the cost using just pasta, flour, milk and
cheese
- Having a plan for your weekly meals will ensure that nothing is
wasted and your shopping list can be short and cost effective
- Leftovers don’t always have to end up in the bin either
- Many supermarkets regularly offer ‘buy one get one free’ or two
for £X offers. Stock up and prepare tasty meals for your
freezer.
Buy local and buy in season
Check out your local farmers' market for home grown local
produce. Also be aware that you may be buying expensive items
just because they’re not in season. Many freebie in-store
magazines offer ideas for the produce that’s in season at the
moment.
Useful links:
More ideas can be found on these websites: