Saving money on food and meals

Meal planning and cooking to save money on food

Your food shopping takes up a large amount of your monthly budget. By looking for ways to save money, you may find increased food costs easier to deal with.

Using up what you have in

It sounds obvious, but it can make a difference. If you base your meals around what you have already, you might be able to:

• Buy less each week
• Base your meals on cheaper store cupboard items with lots of carbs and protein

Take note of any:

• Tinned foods
• Dried foods such as rice, noodles and pasta
• Sauces
• Frozen foods
• Fresh food that will go off soon

Making food go further

Getting more than one use out of a meal can save you money. You start off with one basic meal and add things to it to make it into a different meal.

You could try:

1. Start with classic mince and potatoes. Vegan mince works just as well
2. Then add tomatoes, herbs and pasta to turn it into a spaghetti bolognaise
3. Then add more vegetables, beans and cheese to turn it into a pasta bake
4. And then if you still have some mince left over: Add some spices and tortilla chips to make a chilli

Batch cooking

This means cooking enough to make multiple meals. It only really works if you have a freezer.  You freeze your meals so they are there when you need them.

It can help you by:

• Saving time during the week
• Saving money on energy bills - as you cook in one go
• Using up food before it goes off
• Making the most of multi-buy offers

Spending less at the supermarket

It is far too easy to spend more than you mean to spend. Supermarkets have been planned out to make you do that. Try these tips.

Keep to a list

1. When you have checked what you have in you can make a list of what you need
2. Stick to the rule: If it isn't on the list you are not buying it
3. Don't be tempted by special offers
4. Don't guess what you have run out of - that is an easy way to buy too much

Make sure you are getting value for money

It can be confusing working which deals are best.

Check the ‘price per weight’. That is the only way to compare similar products.

Visit the reduced section

This is where you can find food that is getting near its ‘best before’ date.

It will be safe to eat in the next few days. Or you may be able to freeze it for a later date.

Tip: There may be more than one place with 'yellow sticker' food. Check the fresh, chilled and store cupboard areas.

Use coupons and loyalty points

Before you go shopping:

• Check for any special offers on supermarket websites
• Also check websites for products you buy a lot

A lot of supermarkets have loyalty cards. By using them:

• You can get some items cheaper
• You earn points as you shop
• You can cash in points when you need to use them

As with all special offers, only use coupons on items that you know you need

Make a note of prices

Make a note of what you spent on each item.

Over time, you will remember what you needed to spend each week. This will help you plan ahead.

Try different shops

If you are able to shop around, you may find that some items cost less in some shops.

Maybe you can buy cleaning products in one place and fresh food in another?

Buy healthy foods that fill you up for longer

Some foods release energy more slowly. They make you feel less hungry. And they are full of goodness. Such as:

• Porridge oats
• Pulses, such as beans and lentils