My biggest spend out every month, like most people, is the rent. It’s kinda non-negotiable sort of thing. Want to carry on living here so have to pay the rent. I can’t reduce it at all either. Next, comes the utilities which do have some wiggle room. I can keep on top of who is the cheapest and then do things like put on an extra jumper, turn heating down a notch ( who am I kidding, I hardly have the heating on as it is), take quicker showers though that last one isn’t that doable seeing as I have teenagers who I have spent half their life dragging them into a shower and now I am dragging them out . But the other big bill each month is groceries and there is a lot more saving that can be done on groceries bills.
For starters don’t wing your shop, write a list, oh and actually take the list with you to the shops. Then only buy what is on the list. Now that’s fairly straight forward but if you have filled your list with non-essentials like chocolate then it’s not actually that good a piece of advice. Let’s start again.
Create a budget so you know what realistically you have to spend on your shopping. Then stick to it. Ta-da you have potentially saved some moany already.
Have a meal planning session and write down what meals you need to cook in the week. I am lucky as my two go their Grans twice a week so I have something simple on those days from whatever is in the cupboard.
Next, check what is actually in your cupboards and hiding in the freezer. Actually, while you’re there are there meals you could make already? If so scrub some off your meal plan list. Now you can list what ingredients you actually need and I still mean for your meals so don’t go sneaking chocolate in there.
If your children or you take packed lunches try and incorporate meals into your meal plan that use up leftovers. So if I do spag bol one night I might do extra pasta so I can make a salad for the packed lunches. More potential savings.
When it comes to actually buying your groceries don’t go when you’re hungry either as you will buy loads of stuff you don’t need and justify it your head somehow. Stick to the list. Only go ‘off list’ when there is a saving to be had BUT only if you actually use the product and it’s a need item and not a fancy treat. Important bit – keep your receipt.
I actually do my shopping online as I have zero tolerance or desire to push a trolly around a supermarket and then carry all the shopping home. Plus I have found I spend way less when I am not caught in the bright lights of a supermarket. Plus the app tells me I have missed a deal that was shop wide or I just didn’t see. Oh and as I generally buy the same things each week like a cat food, cat litter etc, I can save time and just add from a previous order. Now as I work from home that is also saving me money as I am spending less time on doing the shopping.
Right once the shop is all done wipp out your smartphone and upload your receipt to your money saving apps. Are you using those right?
Receipt Hog – you take a photo of your receipts and earn points back that you can exchange for Amazon or Paypal.
Shopititize – similar
and my favorite as they accept online groceries is TopCashBack – this one I log into TopCashBack then go to my Asda Groceries and place my order. Good one with this is Asda Groceries are a fast payout.
How are you saving money on your groceries?
Leave a Reply