9 ways to save on your weekly grocery shopping — and those yellow label rush hours at the supermarket

Food prices in the UK have risen to record levels amid the cost of living crisis. But there are easy ways to save money on your weekly grocery shopping – here’s what you need to know, even as Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose and M&S issue their yellow-sticker discounts

With the cost of living Crisis begins to bite, families face an even harder hit in the pocket as food prices soar.

Research from a data analysis company Kantar revealed that food prices in supermarkets have risen to record levels over the past month.

According to the study, savory snacks, fresh beef and cat food alone increased by 4.3%, which the company forecasts will increase annually Grocery shopping bills could go up by an average of £180 due to inflation.

but the grocery shopping is an essential part of our daily lives and not something we can cut out of our routines to save money.

Personal finance experts ocean funding have shared nine simple but smart ways for Brits to save up to 47.5% of their money on their weekly grocery shopping.

Use supermarkets instead of convenience and local stores

Your local convenience store may be closer and thus quicker for you to shop there. But, research from which? found that this way you could pay 9.5% more for groceries over the course of a year.

So if you’re frustrated with how much money you’re spending on groceries, switching where you shop could be a simple answer.

Don’t go shopping without a meal plan and shopping list

People who shop with a list are three times less likely to overspend than those who don’t, researchers say Money Advice Service.

The next time you go to a grocery store, take a few minutes to write down everything you need for the week ahead. Try to plan things out as best you can, including the ingredients for each meal you plan to make.

Of course, making a list isn’t enough—it’s important that you stick to your list and resist the temptation to pick up extra items to avoid overspending.

Go to your supermarket at the optimal time to save on the yellow sticker

Look out for the yellow stickers in supermarkets to find the biggest bargains. Try to go to the supermarket at the following optimal times for discounted items:

• M&S – One hour before closing time
• Morrisons – 6pm
• Sainsbury’s – 6pm
• Asda – 7pm
• Waitrose – 6pm

These times may vary by store, but a good rule of thumb to get the lowest discounts might be to get to the supermarket an hour before they close.

Also, if you’re looking to buy an item that expires that day and you see a worker with the yellow stickers, it doesn’t hurt to ask them if it can be discounted.

Don’t be a brand snob

There’s nothing wrong with having a favorite brand. But if you’re looking to save money, then it’s worth ditching the expensive brands.

2021, Which? revealed Aldi as the cheapest supermarket of the year, with a basket of 22 branded and unbranded items costing £24.03. So if you shop at Aldi versus another supermarket – like Waitrose – you could end up saving 38% on groceries.

Never shop on an empty stomach

Being near endless dining options on an empty stomach is definitely not good for your wallet. So it’s always good to grab a meal before heading out to shop.

If your stomach is growling, there’s a high chance you’ll give in to hunger and throw some tempting treats in the shopping cart. It’s perfectly fine to treat yourself and plant a few treats, but try to curb impulse buying.

Go to the freezer aisle for your vegetables

Fresh fruit and veg is great, but if you’re on a tight budget, head straight to the freezer section. If you’re getting groceries for a week at a time, buying frozen means the groceries will last longer too.

Research also shows that fresh food loses vitamins and minerals over time, and freezing preserves those nutrients. You could even eat healthier with frozen fruit and vegetables.

Treat yourself to a few meat-free days

research shows that meat eaters spend an average of £752 each year on meat alone. Just think how much that could be reduced by incorporating some vegetarian dishes into your weekly eating plan.

With more and more people considering a plant-based diet, there are now many delicious meat-free recipes to follow online.

Start couponing to save money

Coupons can be found in supermarket magazines and on packaging such as bags of chips and cereal boxes. Collect these and use them on things you would normally buy anyway. This helps prevent your grocery bill from adding up.

It’s also worth writing to manufacturers and letting them know how much you like – or dislike – their products. There is no guarantee but sometimes they try to trick you into keeping your loyalty with some coupons.

Use loyalty cards

Investing in a loyalty card always pays off. Loyalty cards can help you earn points at your favorite supermarket, which can translate into significant savings.

Just be warned that you won’t be persuaded into buying something you wouldn’t normally buy just because there seems to be a good deal.