- Shop from a list and never go shopping when you are hungry!! Shopping from a list really is a game changer as it means you only buy what you need BUT you need to have your meals planned first so that you know exactly what you need to buy.
- Look for yellow stickers in the supermarket – Generally, supermarkets tend to yellow sticker items first thing in. the morning, after lunch, and just before closing time – and the biggest discounts are usually just before stores shut. Yellow stickers not only reduce your food bills but they also make you feel great: I for one feel super proud when I bag a bargain!!
- Choose cheaper cuts of meat and those less than perfect veggies : Chicken thighs instead of breast; wonky or loose veg instead of perfect pre-packed ones. And don’t dismiss frozen and canned options – they are often cheaper and last longer. There are now subscription boxes that make sure those less than perfect food items don’t end up in landfill: my two favourites (both of which I subscribe to) are Earth & Wheat and Oddbox
- Don’t be a slave to best before and sell by dates – The best before date is about the quality of the food, while the use-by date is about safety but use your senses before throwing out. I never look at the dates on food – I use the sniff test and it hasn’t failed me yet!
- Love your freezer– Freeze leftovers (good for lunches); freeze meat as soon as you bring it home just in case plans change and you don’t get round to cooking it; cook and freeze vegetables that are looking a little limp or use them to make soups or pasta sauces; chop and freeze fruit for banana breads, pancakes, smoothies …
- Be mindful of food waste – Can you use those leftovers? Meat can be chopped up and made into a simple pasta sauce; cooked vegetables can become a soup or an omelette…
- Bulk cook: Buying in bulk is often cheaper. Double up recipes and freeze half for another day.
- Halve the meat – Bulk out meat with vegetables, beans or pulses: next time you make a lasagne or bolognaise – add half a tin of lentils; making a chilli? Add another tin of beans: you could go wild and add a different variety!!
As a subscriber to Delicious and Real, you will be able to generate a shopping list based on your meal-plan each week; you will receive helpful hints and tips to help you save more money on your weekly shop and utilise those leftovers; and you will have access to my extensive recipe bank which includes lots of budget busting meals!
