Grocery bills are rising for many households, but one money-savvy mum has managed to halve her spending.
As cash-strapped families struggle to make ends meet, Nicola Richardson, who has two children, shares how she has cut her food bill by more than 50 per cent thanks to six simple tips and tricks.
3
3
3
The 37-year-old, who works in education, regularly shares budget-friendly cooking tips on YouTube, ranging from detailed shopping lists to weighing ingredients.
She told the community that wants to save money LatestDeals.co.uk: “Life is busy! I feed myself and my two children on £45 a week. At one point it was nearly £100, so I’ve practically halved our food bill.”
According to the mother, who is from the Northeast, she swears by planning all of the meals for the week and basing her shopping on what’s already in the fridge.
To make sure she doesn’t waste money, Nicola will make a list of the stuff she has – and this handy trick ”also helps with impulse buys”, the Mirror reported.
“Buying cheaper cuts of meat and more vegetarian options automatically makes it cheaper. Weighing ingredients so you don’t use too much also helps.”
The frugal mother also advises to look out for yellow stickers, which many stores offer at the end of the day.
But while cheap eats may seem like a good deal, the financially savvy mom advised only buying the produce if you’re actually going to use it.
She explained, “Definitely make a meal plan and write a grocery list. If you plan what you’re going to eat and then write a grocery list, you’re less likely to make impulse purchases and buy things you don’t need that end up getting thrown away.”
“If you can get the timing right, yellow stickers can be a really good way to save money on food. I also use a few apps, like Olio, that give away free excess food, which is really helpful, especially towards the end of the month when money is tight.”
Other sites to look out for are Karma, Too Good To Go and No Waste.
The 37-year-old not only swears by strict shopping lists, but also cooks in bulk, saving her not only money but also time.
Nicola says cooking in bulk can be a godsend if you’re busy with work or your personal life. ”It can also be a lot cheaper – things are often cheaper in larger quantities, so it makes more sense”.
According to Nicola, using a slow cooker is a real game changer when cooking large quantities of food for the whole family.
The gourmet throws away all the ingredients and lets the dish do its work.
How to Save Money on Groceries
Experts in saving money at HSBC UK have revealed their top tips for saving money on your groceries.
1. Set a budget
Creating a budget will help you stretch your budget. Start by calculating how much you spent on food over the past three months, and then set aside a certain amount for food each month you get paid.
2. Plan your meals
Make a list of your main meals for the coming week, including the ingredients you need, and stick to it. Don’t be tempted by deals on things you don’t need. If you have some leftover food from the week before, try to see what you can do with it first.
3. Think about when and where you shop
It is best to shop on a full stomach so that you are not tempted. Shopping less often can help you think about what you are buying and can help you stay within your budget.
4. Go online
Online shopping is a great and easy way to manage your budget. It can also help you keep track of your spending while also preventing impulse purchases.
One of her favorite recipes is goulash, but also delicious chicken fajita wraps with rice in it. And according to the mother, you can even freeze cooked rice.
“They take 30 seconds to heat up in the microwave so are a great thing to have on hand for tea time. You can also put chilli and rice in them.”
The total bill of just £45 a week includes everything – breakfast, lunch and dinner for the family of three, the mother says. ”It can be a bit of a struggle to get it all together”.
“We tend to do the same things every week, mostly to make it easier. Anything that makes the school night easier is good.”
