Cutting my grocery costs became a great way to boost my mortgage overpayments and with a bit of focus I became an expert at reducing my food waste, as well as eeking out my storecupboard items just a little bit further to save a few pounds each week. But the main way I managed to save money was to look carefully at the items that I put into my basket, tweaking them so that I got the best value for money. Below are a few steps you can take to start slashing your grocery bill.
1.Downgrade your basket
If you’re serious about cutting costs then it’s well worth trying to downgrade the items you put into your basket. Downgrading simply means buying the next cheapest version of the product, for example, if you buy branded products then try switching to the supermarket’s own version, or if you already buy the supermarket’s own brand then try switching to a budget brand. This can easily save you pounds on your weekly shop and you’ll probably be surprised at how little you can really tell the difference between the products you’ve swapped.
2.Buy in bulk (most of the time)
For non-perishables or those products with a long shelf-life, it’s always worth considering whether you can cut costs by buying them in bulk. Staples such as rice, flour, cereals, tinned goods and teabags tend to be cheaper if purchased in larger quantities instead of smaller ones. Do check your prices at the time of purchase though, as there are times when it’s cheaper to buy smaller quantities or single items instead of buying in bulk. A quick calculation really can save you pounds.
3.Avoid pre-prepared food
Supermarkets offer a wide range of pre-prepared products these days (and I don’t just mean microwave meals). When buying fresh produce, handy, ‘timesaving’ alternatives such as carrot batons, chopped onions, pineapple ‘fingers’ and sliced apples are widely available, however they’re not cheap and you will pay a premium for someone doing the hard work for you. Taking the time to prepare your own food will not only save you pounds but will reduce your plastic waste too.
4.Buy frozen
If you have a decent size freezer then stocking up on frozen goods can save you a small fortune and reduce food waste. Studies have shown that frozen foods, especially fruits and vegetables, retain more of their vitamins and minerals than fresh foods. My freezer is always stocked with a range of frozen fruit and vegetables and whilst I tend to prefer fresh vegetables alongside a main meal, frozen fruits and veggies are perfect in smoothies, soups, casseroles, and curries and are a perfect back-up for those evenings when time is limited. Frozen foods can also be cheaper than buying fresh, but always do the maths and be sure to check for added water, especially when buying meat or fish, as this can be a false economy.
By using the steps above I managed to reduce my monthly grocery bill by £60. I juice on a daily basis, so go through a lot of fruit and veg each week, but I still manage to stick to a budget. I challenge you to try the steps above and see how much you can save. If it feels like too much to take on at once, then just try one of the steps, the key is to take small, manageable steps and over time you’ll find that these result in huge savings.
