Before you go shopping spend a few minutes writing a menu plan for the week ahead. Being organised and writing a menu will help you to avoid wasting money on unnecessary items when you go shopping.
Fruit and vegetables like carrots and apples as just a healthy as more exotic fruit and vegetables but are much cheaper. Buy seasonally. You can tell what is in season usually by price. Buying strawberries in the winter is always going to more expensive. If you’re aware of what is in season you will get it cheaper and it usually tastes better too.
Buy own label rather than branded products.
Avoid added value products such as canned tomatoes with herbs and garlic, it’s much cheaper to add a pinch of dried herbs to a can of regular tomatoes.
Take advantage of special offers but only if they’re on products that you know you’ll use.
Look for buy one get one free offers, if you can’t eat it within the use by date check to see if you could freeze it.
Avoid convenience foods like ready grated cheese, pre washed vegetables are always more expensive
Try to avoid going shopping when you’re hungry otherwise you’re more likely to be tempted by snacks you don’t really need
If you normally buy a sandwich or a salad from a sandwich shop for lunch try making a packed lunch at home – not only is it cheaper you won’t have waste half your lunch break queuing to buy your meal and remember bread is naturally low sugar, low in salt, is calcium enriched and is a good source of protein and fibre.