Shopping wisely can save you money
Dealing with a budget never seems to get any easier. With the benefits cap and inflation increasing, it’s becoming harder and harder for most of us to keep an eye on our money, particularly when supporting a family.
The biggest issue is often food bills, as even the price of basic products such as bread and pasta are on the rise. So how can you stick to your weekly budget whilst still enjoying the food that you love?
Plan before you buy
It’s hard to resist temptation if you go into the supermarket without knowing what you’re buying; there are always so many offers on. Try planning each day, including any food necessary to take to work, snacks and the evening meal.
If you have a list to take with you, you’ll be focused on what you need rather than letting seductive offers tempt you.
Another option that you can try is to order your groceries online. You’ll still be getting in-store offers but it is far harder to impulse buy.
Be careful though – you will have to arrange a specific time for the groceries to be delivered, which can be difficult if you work full time.
Shop around
Although supermarkets advertise that you’ll save money by shopping with them as opposed to their competitors, it’s not always the case.
Fruit and vegetables are almost always cheaper if you buy them from a farmer’s market, as well as being better quality.
Even branded products are less expensive in bargain stores, particularly with snack food such as cereal bars. Consider what you or your family eat a lot of and try comparing prices across different stores.
Once you’ve discovered where the bargains are, your weekly shop will not only become cheaper but quicker too.
Clever cooking
When sticking to a budget, it’s tempting to think that ready meals are cheaper and more convenient, but it’s often not the case.
Cooking your own meals, whilst taking a little more effort, will ensure that you and your family will eat well at an affordable price.
Pasta dishes and stir fries for example often need few ingredients and don’t take very long to cook.
Try buying dry ingredients with a long shelf-life such as pasta and noodles in bulk when they’re on offer, and don’t forget to keep store cupboard ingredients such as sauces and herbs to make the meals even cheaper in the long run.
Be efficient
Avoiding wastage is another top tip when it comes to sticking to your weekly budget. If you have a lot of one meal left over, why not try freezing it in portion sizes and saving it for another day?
Also, choosing meals that take little time to cook will save you on your energy bills. Even something as simple as only boiling the amount of water that you need will save you some extra pennies.
It may seem like an upward struggle, but sticking to a budget is achievable with a little perseverance. As long as you keep your eye on what you are buying and think carefully about what you’re cooking, you’ll soon find that your budget can stretch further than you think.
Tagged in Money Tips