Mr Lender’s Top Tips to Save You Money on Your Weekly Shop

Published: 28/02/2020 and written by P Smith

shopping basket

At Mr Lender, we offer short term loans between £200-£1,000.

The weekly shop, it’s a costly and tiring process. UK families spend roughly £85 a week on food shopping – so every little change you make will help. Prices always seem to be increasing and the products you need are hidden among all the bargains and discounts that distract us from our original purpose. But have no fear we have come up with several tips and tricks to help you cut back on costs and only buy the things you need.

TAKE A LIST WITH YOU

shopping list

We all know we should do it, but research has found that 60% of people who take a shopping list with them to the supermarket save money. This is because you will be shopping for things you need rather than blindly. Rather than getting tempted by promotions, deals and all the bright lights you are more likely to stick to the aisles you need. Then… Don’t go randomly wandering down every aisle.

EYE LEVEL PRODUCTS

supermarket shelves

Supermarkets are extremely strategic in how they lay out products on their shelves. The most profitable stock is usually placed at eye level. There are often cheaper products on the lower/higher shelves. Regularly bought items tend to be spread to the back of the supermarket in order to make customers pass many other tempting treats to add to their ever-growing shopping list.

DON’T BUY PRE-PACKAGED

Packaging costs

You end up paying loads more if you buy pre-packaged goods, as well as having the hassle of having to dispose of all that packaging. Glass is way better than plastic, we all know its a bit more effort to get that ketchup out of a bottle but it’s so much more cost-effective in the long run. It’s always worth your time checking out deli counters as nearly everything from supermarket deli counters is cheaper and better.

AVOID DISTRACTIONS

Kids not allowed

Research has found that pressure and influence from having your kids with you whilst you shop can add an average of £15.50 worth of extra products to your basket. Obviously, a lot of people don’t have the option to leave their kids at home whilst they shop, but it’s all about avoiding the chances of letting your kids influence and distract you whilst you shop. Another massive costly distraction whilst shopping is going when you are hungry. Unfortunately, Jaffa Cakes and Doritos don’t count as dinner.

DON’T FOOD SHOP AT PETROL STATIONS

Petrol pump money

Obtaining certain food items will usually work out far more expensive than the same items in a supermarket. It’s also advisable to avoid the small branch supermarkets such as Tesco Express for the same reason. Research has found that it could end up costing you up to £30 more on a £100 shop.

ONLINE FOOD SHOP

Online shopping

An effective way to bag a big bargain from online supermarkets is to fill your digital basket, not complete your order and step away. You may find that you receive an email in the up and coming days offering you a discount as a way to entice you back. You need to make sure that you are signed in to your account when filling your digital basket otherwise the supermarkets won’t have any way to get in touch. Some of the discounts that have been offered through this process are £5 off at Tesco, £20 off at Ocado and £22 off at Waitrose.

FROZEN FRUIT AND VEG

Frozen fruit and vegetables

Freezer food doesn’t always receive the best press with healthy eating, but you will normally pick up some of the best and more convenient, bargains with them. Frozen fish is just as fresh, if not fresher than fish on the counter. People assume frozen food isn’t as nutritious, but this is a common misconception. Food is picked for freezing straight away, whereas fresh food can be in transit days before it gets to its destination.

WRITE A MEAL PLAN

Daily meals

The best way to make your shopping list super-effective and to avoid certain items wandering into your trolley is by writing a meal plan. That way you can work out what you’re going to eat every day, incorporating the ingredients you already have. A lot of the time this allows you to consider meals that can become lunches the next day, or even frozen and made easily ready at a later date.

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