The cost of living in the UK continues to bite. Many people are cutting out things like smoking to save money. However, you can’t cut out something like food. You’ve got to eat! Here are 25 ways you can cut your shopping bill.
How To Cut Your Shopping Bill
1. Using Apps to Compare and Contrast Prices
You can use an app like www.trolley.co.uk. This allows you to compare and contrast prices of goods across various supermarkets in the UK.
In the example below, I typed in the word ‘Coffee’ and multiple options appeared. They showed;
- brand of coffee
- size of the jar or tin
- price of the coffee jar/tin
- the supermarket selling it.
You can compare coffee products. This helps you decide the best-value coffee to buy.
2. Buy Supermarket Own Brands
Shop for supermarket own brands. They may be of similar quality and cheaper. For example, Tesco Italian Finely Chopped Tomatoes (400g), is priced at £0.60 versus Napolina Chopped Tomatoes (400g) which cost £1.00.
3. Buy in Bulk and Share
Share a purchase with friends or neighbours e.g., four of you pay for a 20kg sack of rice, then split it four ways. This will be cheaper than buying 4 small packets of rice.
4. Carpooling
Instead of taking a single trip to the supermarket, carpool with neighbours and friends. This will cut the costs of the trip to and from the supermarket.
5. Shop Later in the Day
Many supermarkets offer discounts an hour or 30 minutes before closing as they want to sell food that’s almost past its sell-by date.
6. Wholesale
Go to wholesale markets e.g. Billingsgate Fish Market in East London near Canary Wharf, or Smithfield Market in The City of London. Produce is cheaper than buying in the supermarket.
7. Supermarket Loyalty Scheme
Sign up for a supermarket loyalty scheme to get points, coupons, rewards and discounts on food e.g., Sainsbury’s Nectar Scheme.
8. Bartering
Barter your skills for food. This is still common practice in many regions e.g., some Eastern European countries, Iran, and Venezuela.
For example, in exchange for food you could:
- assist a neighbour medically (if you have nursing skills).
- tutor a child.
- assist with DIY.
- barter an item.
9. Buy in Bulk
You could buy in bulk. It is cheaper than buying small packets or jars of food.
10. Stop Buying Ultra-Processed Foods
Your waistline, your health and your purse/wallet will thank you for it. Almost 57% of the average energy intake for UK adults comes from ultra-processed food. This type of food makes you want to eat more. That’s why you binge on things like biscuits and sugary breakfast cereals. Stop buying it and watch your food bill (and your weight) drop and your health improve.
11. Prepare a Shopping List
Prepare a list before you shop and stick to it.
12. Cook Using Raw Ingredients
Cook using natural unprocessed food, organic preferably. You should plan meals in advance, so you’ll know exactly what ingredients you need to buy. Freeze food to avoid wastage. This will save time and help reduce your food bill.
13. Pay by Cash
Pay your shopping bill in cash. Leave the credit card at home. That way, you can only spend what you have.
14. Eat Less
Stop snacking between meals. Eat smaller portions. Basically, eat less.
15. Use Less Product
Use less product when cleaning and washing. You can keep yourself, your home and your clothes clean just use less product to do so each time.
16. Don’t Shop When Hungry
You’ll probably buy junk food that you don’t want or need, which adds to your food bill.
17. Buy One, Get One Free or Get One Half Price
Buy one get one free (BOGOF), or buy one get one at half price.
18. Seek Alternatives to the ‘Free From’ Section
If you have an intolerance or allergy to food e.g., wheat, or dairy, you’ll be familiar with the ‘Free-From’ sections of supermarkets. However, you could look around in other aisles. They may have a similar product which is cheaper and is also wheat or dairy-free. Check the label before buying!
19. Go Vegetarian
Go vegetarian once or twice a week. Meat is quite expensive. Try cutting back on eating it and that will cut your shopping bill. You’ll also help the environment.
20. Look Up and Look Down
Supermarkets generally put the most expensive items at eye level. Try looking at the bottom and top shelves for better bargains.
21. Stop Wasting Food
Organise the food in your fridge so that products with the closest ‘use by’ date are at the front, so you’ll know to eat them first. This will reduce food waste.
22. Get Free Tea or Coffee Whilst Shopping
Some stores like Ikea and Waitrose offer free tea and coffee when shopping but you need to sign up for their store card to avail of this.
23. Olio App, the Food Sharing App
You could sign up for the Olio app. It lets you share food with other members.
24. Check Your Fridge Temperature
Your fridge should be between 0-5 degrees Celsius. Check the temperature to ensure your food doesn’t go off prematurely. This will prevent food wastage.
25. Re-use Stale Bread
Put the bread in the oven and re-heat to make it crisp again. Or you could make bread and butter pudding or make croutons for soups.
Do you have any other ideas to cut your shopping bill? If so, please add them in the Comments Section.
Thanks for reading!
DISCLAIMER: Inquisitive Finance operates on principles of exchange of knowledge, ideas and opinions and learning in the community. Your decisions are entirely your own responsibility, and I am in no way responsible for your actions. I am not a financial advisor. Whilst I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, I make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Use common sense, do due diligence and where necessary, use the services of a licensed financial advisor, before making any financial decision and/or transaction.
