MILLIONS of hard-up households across the UK are looking for ways to slash their costs where possible – including their weekly grocery shop.
Just earlier this month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures revealed the price of food and non-alcoholic drinks have gone up 4.5% compared to last year.
It means a basket of groceries that cost £100 a year ago now costs £104.50, leaving households feeling the strain at the checkout as everyday essentials become more expensive.
Amongst those also feeling the strain is ”frugal doctor” Maria who’s been forced to shop smarter on her £44k annual salary – and she’s now en route to save a staggering £20k thanks to ditching five supermarket items.
The cash-savvy doctor, who posts under the username @weekly food shop.
While last year the grocery trip would cost her and her partner £40, this year, the total comes up to around £55 every week – or a staggering £780 across the full 52 weeks.
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”And we’re not buying more expensive items – in fact, we’re actually buying fewer things than we used to,” she said in a recent video.
”We could still afford these foods, but since we don’t have kids or a house yet, we need to be as frugal as possible so we can save for our future.”
No seafood or steak
Prior to trying to save thousands, Maria and her partner would treat themselves to seafood pasta at least twice a month – but now, the couple only have it three times a year.
She said: ”No more salmon, shrimps or fish. What we would still buy is canned tuna as we use it for a quick salad when we don’t feel like cooking.”
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Since lowering their intake of seafood, the pair ”survive on chicken”.
No more lime
While lime is not necessarily expensive, usually retailing around 30p to 50p, Maria revealed she was ”using them for everything”.
”I was also doing lemonade with limes at home and using at least five daily, (£2.50 day).
”I know it might not be a lot, it is just me being extra saver.”
Philadelphia cream cheese
A must for a decadent cheesecake and ideal on a crispy toast – it’s easy to see why Philadelphia cream cheese has become such a cult favourite amongst foodies.
But at £2.25, it’s not necessarily the most wallet-friendly item on your grocery shop list – especially if you go through it in no time.
Maria told her followers: ”Seriously, I wish it tasted bad. This has been a tough one to give up.”
Anything branded
By now, fellow thrifty shoppers will know to steer clear of branded groceries if they want to slash the costs as much as possible – and there are some brands the doctor now also avoids at all costs.
”No more McVitie’s Digestives – 90p versus £2.”
Vita Coco Coconut Water
Fancy coconut water is not necessarily something many buy on a weekly basis – but if you love the refreshing taste, it can all quickly add up.
Maria said: ”I used to drink a litre of this every day, I’m not kidding.
”I drink tonnes of water, so it was easy for me to finish one in a day, especially during summer.
”I must’ve thought I was rich because how on earth was I spending £3 a day on this? They’re £4 now!”
Sharing her top five groceries she no longer spends her money on, the thrifty doctor added: ”Also, please don’t just save your money.
”Make sure you invest it, so inflation doesn’t eat it away.”
How to save money on your food shop
Chief Consumer Reporter James Flanders reveals how you can save hundreds of pounds a year:
Odd boxes – plenty of retailers offer slightly misshapen fruit and veg or surplus food at a discounted price.
Lidl sells five kilos of fruit and veg for just £1.50 through its Waste Not scheme while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags which contain £10 worth of all kinds of products for £3.30.
Sainsbury’s also sells £2 “Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me” fruit and veg boxes to help shoppers reduced food waste and save cash.
Food waste apps – food waste apps work by helping shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses shift stock that is due to go out of date and passing it on to members of the public.
Some of the most notable ones include Too Good to Go and Olio.
Too Good to Go’s app is free to sign up to and is used by millions of people across the UK, letting users buy food at a discount.
Olio works similarly, except users can collect both food and other household items for free from neighbours and businesses.
Yellow sticker bargains – yellow sticker bargains, sometimes orange and red in certain supermarkets, are a great way of getting food on the cheap.
But what time to head out to get the best deals varies depending on the retailer. You can see the best times for each supermarket here.
Super cheap bargains – sign up to bargain hunter Facebook groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK where shoppers regularly post hauls they’ve found on the cheap, including food finds.
“Downshift” – you will almost always save money going for a supermarket’s own-brand economy lines rather than premium brands.
The move to lower-tier ranges, also known as “downshifting” and hailed by consumer expert Martin Lewis, could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your food shop.
Social media users react
Posted earlier this summer, the clip has taken the internet by storm, racking up close to 167k views – and a mixed bag of responses.
One cash-savvy shopper said: ”Shop at Aldi. I used to be a brand snob but every product Aldi do is as good or better.”
Meanwhile, another thought: ”Sorry this is no fun..life is short, live it.”
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”I have stopped buying microwave rice and most “convenience” stuff, also avoid bagged salad for a head of lettuce, keeps longer. Try and stick to the super 6. Asian supermarkets too for bulk spices,” someone else chimed in with their tips.
”I always try to time doing my shopping for when the reductions are done- buy meat /fish reduced and then pop it straight in the freezer if not using that day,” a TikToker commented.