We’ve all been there: one day you’ve done a massive food shop, the next you’re trying to figure out what to do for dinner and you’re getting your hubby to run out and grab some potatoes. Not only does it feel like the food’s running out, but we can’t be the only ones who feel the pennies are running away from us too, right? Especially with those blimmin’ energy costs rising and don’t even get us started on inflation! So, here’s how to make sure you’re saving money in the supermarket, AND making that food shop stretch all week:
Saving pennies:
- Make that list!
Making a shopping list might seem like one of those needless things your Nan did, but having a peek into your fridge, seeing what you’ve run out of and writing it down is the most sure fire way of not double buying products and not getting side tracked by the aisles you should probably avoid. - The ol’ switcheroo
By having a good look at what’s on the shelves and switching to cheaper brands is a fool-proof way of making that shop stretch. I mean, why buy a £5.99 jar of brand jam when you could get an own-brand jar for 60p? It’s just good blimmin’ sense! - Eat before shopping…
Yep, you read that right: eat before shopping! No one makes bad decisions like a ravenous woman let loose in a supermarket! If you have a meal beforehand, or even a snack in the car on the way, you’re less likely to make those impulse purchases that add up!
Make it stretch:
- Save it for later…
Have you ever bought too much fresh veg with all the best intentions in the world of cooking it, but then kids clubs and meal deal dinners, and a quick slice of toast etc etc gets in the way so half of it goes bad in that drawer at the bottom of your fridge? Yeah, us too. Make use of your freezer! There are tonnes of veg (think green beans, carrots, broccoli) that can be whacked in the ol’ freezer until they’re ready to be cooked. Same goes for loaves of bread, and even milk! - Portion control, portion control, portion control
Portion out your snacks (*ahem* Skinny Bars) day by day so you don’t lose them or eat the whole box all in one day and end up having to run out for more midweek. There’s a tonne of good storage solutions that can even make this fun too, see our faves here. - Go raw!
If you buy in raw ingredients, like getting a bag of potatoes instead of ready made jacket-potatoes in a box, you’ll soon find out how many more meals you can make with just those ingredients for the same cost, if not cheaper! Our top essentials to get in would be mushrooms (for pasta, omelettes, you name it), onions (there’s not much an onion can’t improve), broccoli (a side that bulks out any meal) and potatoes (I mean, what CAN’T ya make out of a potato!?)
We hope you find these tips handy dandy! Do share your raw ingredient essentials with us on Instagram and Facebook so we know what we’re missing out of our weekly shop. Happy shopping!
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