The average UK family of four spends around £129 a week and the frugal experts at MuscleFood.com have offered shoppers advice on how to bring that spend down. The experts suggest shopping at different times, checking out the world food aisle and browsing speciality counters to help save money.
Ashleigh Tosh, a frugal expert at MuscleFood.com, said: “Food shops seem to get pricey every week so we want to help families with some tricks to bring costs down without scrimping on their favourite meals. Changing the time of day you shop is a good place to start. Shopping in the evening means you can pick up reduced items for a fraction of the cost and pop them in the freezer.
“The world food aisle is a great place to shop for spices – they’re often a lot cheaper – and don’t forget to check the speciality counters which are usually located in the back of a shop.”
Here is MuscleFood.com’s advice for saving cash in the supermarket:
Check the world food aisles
World food aisles are often the hidden gem of a supermarket where you can get chickpeas, lentils and seasoning for bargain prices.
Compare prices by weight
If you’re struggling to decide which items to buy, have a look at the price per kg which is in a small print besides the retail price. Then you can tell if you’re getting your money’s worth for a larger version of the item which will last longer.
Purchasing items over the counters
Check speciality counters such as pizza, meat and fish where you can grab delicious, ready-made items, often at a better price. Many of these items also get reduced if you’re looking for a quick and cheap meal.
Scan as you go
Many stores have shop as you go handsets where you scan items throughout the store. They’re extremely handy in knowing how much you’re spending so you can stick to a tight budget.
Shop in the evenings
Buying items in the evening increases the likelihood that you’ll find reduced food which can be used for a low-cost dinner. It’s always worth buying reduced food and freezing it so you’re saving money in the long run.
Use reward apps
Every time you enter a supermarket, make sure to download their apps to receive freebies, money off and exclusive discounts.
Check the back of the shelves
Look at the use-by-date of items at the front of a shelf and compare it to those at the back. You may find food which has an extra two days before it expires to avoid wasting food and money.