I save with yellow supermarket stickers – I’m knocked down, but don’t stop

A BARGAIN HUNTERS has revealed her routine trip to the supermarket can involve fighting off other shoppers.

Anna Lykova, 42, says she saves around £50 a week by buying products with yellow stickers that halve the cost of her groceries.

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A duck for £3 and a prime rib joint for around £7 are among the money-saving offers she has made.

Anna said the secret to lowering the cost of groceries is knowing which stores offer discounts and when.

She has religiously looked for yellow stickers at the supermarket since she was a “poor young professional” living in London about 20 years ago.

“There was a Tesco on the way home that gave less food and that’s what fed me,” she said LaatsteDeals.nl.

“Getting a lot of good bargains is luck and also knowing when stores are doing it.”

Anna revealed that everything she buys is frozen so it stays fresh for longer.

When cooking, she uses vegetables in addition to her cheaper meat to prepare multiple meals.

A chicken can be cooked into a soup for one dish, but can last up to three days if budget-friendly noodles are added.

She was delighted that her freezer still has meat she bought when Aldi had great bargains last Christmas.

Anna said she never judges anyone for buying discounted food, but she wouldn’t copy those who clear the shelf.

“I was once hit by a woman in Tesco during a Sunday lunch,” she said.

“This was before they introduced queues and restrictions on items.”

She has learned the best time to go shopping by politely asking the store staff when they usually offer discounts.

“I think Poundland is fantastic for sandwiches – most mornings there is a selection of sandwiches for around 50p,” she said.

When will supermarkets release bargains with yellow stickers?

The time that supermarkets shorten their products varies per store.

Here’s a rough guide by supermarket:

Aldi

Aldi uses a red sticker to display discounts on fresh products such as bread, meat, fruit and vegetables.

This is when they have reached the last day of shelf life.

Red stickered items are most commonly found during opening and closing hours.

MADAM

Discount times may vary from store to store, but will most likely occur around closing time.

Asda

Asda told Which one? that yellow stickers are applied twice a day – in the morning and in the evening.

Cooperative

Co-op told The Sun that the reduced prices are generally applied around four hours before the store closes.

Lidl

Lidl has a similar procedure to Asda and Aldi, with twice-daily discounts.

However, individual stores may choose to reduce prices during the day.

Morrisons

Online shoppers say Morrisons has the best bargains early in the morning.

However, the store told Which? that there are no specific times for yellow sticker price reductions.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s told The Sun that it is up to the store manager to offer discounts.

However, shoppers have reported that the best deals are in the evenings from 6pm.

Tesco

Tesco has said there is no specific time for reduction, but again most people found prices were reduced from 6pm.

Guard rose

As with most other stores, Waitrose shoppers have said the best discounts are found before closing.

However, the store stated that there is no specific time when yellow stickers must be applied.

Home Bargains and B&M are her go-to for cleaning supplies and she has a Tesco Clubcard to reduce food costs.

However, butchers can sometimes be cheaper than supermarkets.

A photo shared on her Instagram The bill included four whole chickens, three packages of tandoori chicken thighs, pork chops, ground beef and frozen food.

“Anyone else love a store with yellow stickers?” Should have been £85, paid £23,” she wrote in the caption.

Anna said it’s important not to be “greedy” when stores offer discount products and staff will remember you if you are friendly to them.

“I’m so happy to be able to save so much money as the bills continue to rise, so any savings are great,” she said.

“Making a bargain makes everyone happy.”