This is a mammoth list of easy, actionable ways to save money on groceries, so you can cut your food shop in half and save thousands each year.
I’m sick of food shopping! I like to eat well, but I’m fed up with prices that keep changing and my food shopping bill going up each month.
When you look at the average weekly food shop and the average household bills per month, the grocery shop is right up there as a high cost.
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But, with a bit of planning, there is no reason why you can’t cut your supermarket spending in half – we did.
And, with that extra money, you could put it towards a holiday, Christmas or anything else.
Here are loads of ways to help you save cash on food.
How to save money on groceries
We’re breaking this guide into three sections: before, during, and after shopping, plus tips for online shoppers.
Each of these times is big for saving.
Before shopping
Do not go to the shop until you’re following these tips:
Do an audit
Before you even think about shopping, take a look in your cupboards, fridge and freezer.
What’s there? Do you have anything left over from the week before that needs to be used up?
Plan that into any meals before heading to the shop.
Meal plan
Create a list of things you and the family want to eat that week.
This will help you reduce food waste, reduce stress each evening trying to work out what to eat, save time, and create a shopping list.
Make a list
Before even thinking about heading to the shop, make a list of everything you need to buy.
Then, stick to it – which is the hardest thing to do.
Give yourself a budget buffer
If you can, plan to spend, say, £60 a week on your food shop, but give yourself a 10% buffer.
This way, if you go over when you’re shopping by picking up treats you see on offer or yellow sticker bargains, it won’t make a significant impact on your overall household budget.
Don’t shop when hungry
It may seem like an old wives’ tale, but shopping hungry makes you want to buy more.
Lovely, biscuity things that will give you a quick sugar fix. Try to have a snack before you head in, which will help you focus and get the job done.
Go alone
I know it’s not always possible, but try to go shopping alone if you can.
Having little hands reaching for yummy-looking boxes and asking for something in every other aisle can be a headache, and it can be tempting to give in. This will shoot your spending up.
Pick where to shop
You may have a usual favourite supermarket, but you may find it cheaper to go somewhere else.
Take a look at the cheapest supermarket, which is updated monthly.
Research the deals
Just because a shop works out cheaper overall doesn’t mean it’s the best value for what you’ll buy.
Check the offers and deals before you go. At Aldi, their weekly Super 6 is updated each Thursday, and Lidl restocks on Thursdays.
Look out for other supermarket offers.
Sainsbury’s Nectar customers can currently get 25% off more than 600 Taste the Difference products until 6 October 2026.
Don’t just shop at a supermarket
The big box stores’ style supermarkets may sell everything but the kitchen sink, but that doesn’t mean you need to buy everything from one place.
It may be more convenient, but you can get better value by shopping for different things in different places.
Look for bargain retailers like Poundstretcher and B&M for store cupboard essentials and somewhere like Boots for cheaper toiletries (plus, remember to use your Advantage card as it’s one of the best in the UK).
Take bags
Keys, phone, money, bags!
I have a pile of carrier bags at the front door – and everyone walks past them and forgets to put them back in the boot of the car!
Even when I get to the supermarket, I sometimes forget to grab them before heading indoors!
Do what you can to remember those bags, since paying the plastic bag charge can really dig into your grocery budget.
Register for Healthy Start vouchers
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to Healthy Start vouchers to use towards your food shop.
You get a prepaid card loaded with up to £8.50 per week.
You can use it in most supermarkets to buy certain types of milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables.
Grown your own
Even without a garden, you can grow fresh herbs on a windowsill.
With a garden, you’ve got a lot more choices to grow fruit and veg.
Why not get started with potatoes, as they’re pretty easy and see how you get on?
Growing your own will mean you don’t even need to buy from a supermarket.
During shopping
When you’re in the shop, you may think it’s all about getting in and out as fast as possible, but there are plenty of things you can do in the supermarket to make sure your supermarket spending stays down.
Look down
Most grocery stores put things at your eye level that they want you to buy. However, these ranges are usually mid- or higher-priced foods.
Instead, crouch down and look at the bottom shelf. This is where the cheaper brands are.
Although cheaper, many are made in the same factories as the more expensive stuff.
Pick cheaper cuts
Swap to cheaper cuts of meat, and you’ll make immediate savings.
Even a simple swap, like chicken breasts for thighs, means you spend less, get the same amount, and thighs cook beautifully with no extra time.
Grab yellow stickers
You may need to adjust your shopping to find mega yellow-sticker bargains.
Shops run when they sell off food that is very close to its use-by date.
Check out when supermarket reduction times are at most of the major supermarkets.
Use a basket
Don’t use a trolley if you are doing a top-up shop, as it’s easy to fill it up or add random bits without thinking.
Instead, get a basket or carry stuff by hand. When you cannot hold any more, you know you have enough.
Use grocery store coupons
Be sure to bring coupons to use at checkout. You could find them in supermarket magazines, newspapers or even on apps.
Read: Mobile and printable coupons UK – where to find supermarket vouchers to get money off
Plan for the best deals
Supermarkets run various promotions at different times of the year.
If you can, save up and bulk buy when the offers are on.
I always try to do this when my favourite coffee is on sale and aim to stock up when supermarkets have 25% off wine offers.
Use your loyalty card.
Load the deals before you get to the till and scan your card or app as you check out to ensure you earn rewards.
With things like Tesco Clubcard, you need to be a member to unlock their discounts.
To get the offers and future discount vouchers, activate them before you reach checkout.
Read next: Loyalty points can now be used on baby formula as rules finally change
Shop the sales
Make sure to pick up bargains during popular sale events:
Sainsbury’s half price toy sale dates
Asda 25% off George clothing sale dates and shopping tips
Sainsbury’s TU 25% off clothing sale dates
Get an instant discount
With a student TOTUM/NUS card, you can get 10% off at the Co-op, and Blue Light Card holders have been able to get money off at Asda.
If you’re eligible, it’s worth paying to sign up, as you can make your money back with just one shop.
Online shopping
Whether you are planning to get a delivery or use click and collect, there are ways to save on your grocery shop.
Do it online
Online supermarkets can be brilliant to save time, and you can even get away with shopping in your PJs.
You need to pay extra for delivery, so be sure to research the cheapest online supermarket.
Pick a delivery plan
If you shop online regularly, you can save more money by signing up for a delivery plan.
You need to pay extra for deliveries anyway, but this monthly subscription will ensure you are refunded the difference if you end up paying, so you never lose out.
Plus, having a delivery plan gives you early access to things like Christmas delivery slots.
After grocery shopping
Once you’ve left the supermarket, there are still more ways you can save and even make money back on what you’ve already spent.
Don’t throw out last week’s food
Just because you bought food last week, it doesn’t mean you need to throw it away the following week.
Check carefully for best-before dates, and plan to use it and freeze it to avoid food waste.
Get cashback
Hang onto your receipt, as you’ll need it to claim cashback on your purchase.
Use apps like CheckoutSmart and GreenJinn.
Use your receipt to make money back
Photo-snapping apps let you earn cash or high-street vouchers for taking photos of your shopping receipts.
Adjust your meal plan
Although you might have planned spaghetti bolognese for Monday and bangers and mash for Tuesday, you may need to adjust things depending on the use-by dates of the food you bought.
Cook in other ways
Ditch your cooker and hob. Instead, use a slow cooker or an air fryer.
These appliances cost less to run and can make delicious meals.
Bulk out
Plan to bulk out meals with pulses, beans, or eggs to make your meal stretch further.
Do you have any other tips for saving money on your grocery shop?
Saved a few quid with our tips?
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Doris B Holloway says
Tesco not only have the £7.99 pcm pay for 10% off 2 big shops, they also have the pre-loadable shopping boost card with 4% off every time you use it too.
Lorraine says
You can sign up to Olio a food waste reduction app which shares supermarket un sold food in your local area. It has saved me money on gluten free from breads etc which cost me a lot of money for my special dietry food.
I also give away things I cannot use. A great idea.