Saturday 6 August 2022 10:07 PM Keep a lid on your supermarket bills with this 11-step checklist for savvy ... trends now
Grocery prices are soaring as inflation heads for 13 per cent.
The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that prices of many popular items have as much as doubled in a year. But it's not all bad news – some supermarket prices have fallen in that time.
So if you plan your shopping carefully and follow our tips, you can keep a lid on the escalating cost of your weekly shop.
1 CHOOSE A CHEAPER BRAND AND SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
The 'downshift challenge' was coined by Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis. Drop one brand level on all products (from premium and branded to supermarket value or own-brand) to see if you can spot the difference in taste and quality. Sticking with it could slash up to 30 per cent off your shopping bill every year.
2 CHECK WHEN THOSE YELLOW STICKERS GO OUT
The lure of a yellow sticker is hard to resist. Most supermarkets put them on unsold fresh food nearing or even on their 'use-by' date, at heavily discounted prices. Every store has different times for reducing its clearance food so it's worth collaring a staff member to ask when they bring out the reductions. Discounts can be up to 90 per cent near closing time.
3 POP TO LOCAL MARKETS FOR FRESH PRODUCE
Check out your local street or farmers' market. The fruit and veg they sell is likely to be grown near you and will be fresher and sometimes cheaper than in the supermarket. They often sell off items at bargain prices at the end of the day and may also sell cheaper 'wonky' produce.
4 SEE IF THERE IS A COMMUNITY FRIDGE NEAR YOU
There are many local initiatives to distribute free food to stop it being wasted. Go to hubbub.org. uk and search for your closest community fridge.
5 ONE WEEK HERE, NEXT WEEK THERE
It pays to compare supermarkets on price. Every month the consumer group Which? analyses hundreds of groceries at the biggest supermarkets and finds huge price differences. In July, Aldi was cheapest – with a basket of 47 groceries costing an average of £74.23 – compared with £99.46 at Waitrose; a £25.23 saving.
6 DON'T THROW AWAY
