Expert on Savings Reveals Secrets: How to Cut Food Costs in Half.

According to The Sun: In a situation where food prices are rapidly rising, many Britons feel frustrated as they watch prices in supermarket aisles. However, there are clever solutions that can help reduce expenses.

Tara Evans, Head of Consumer Affairs at The Sun, has shared her tips for cutting shopping costs and pointed out which foods to avoid buying and where to find free food.

AlamyTara Evans shares her best tips for saving money on food.David New - The Sun

Yesterday, the National Statistics Office announced that the inflation rate in the UK remained at 3.8% in August. However, food and drink prices rose by 5.1% in the same month, representing a significant increase compared to 4.9% in July. People are feeling the burden of these changes.

"These crazy food prices are putting extra pressure on households struggling to make ends meet, and we all feel it at the checkout," says consumer expert Martin James.

Don't Throw Away Food

You may not realize it, but you throw away hundreds of pounds of perfectly edible food each year. Confusion around labels costs households about £450 a year, according to the Too Good To Go food-saving app.

The 'Best Before' date merely signifies the manufacturer's guarantee of peak quality. After this date, your cookies may be a bit less crispy, but they are generally still safe to eat.

Here are some foods you can rescue from the bin even after the 'Best Before' date:

• Dry Goods: Pasta, rice, legumes, oats, flour, and sugar can last for months, even years, when stored in a cool, dry place.
• Canned Goods: Cans of soups, beans, and tomatoes are safe to consume as long as the can isn't rusty or bulging, for many years.
• Cookies, Crackers, and Cereals: They may lose their crunchiness but are still perfectly edible.
• Chocolate and Candy: The white "coating" on old chocolate is just fat or sugar separation and is safe.
• Hard Cheese: If a small mold spot appears on cheddar, you can simply cut it off.
• Long-lasting Spices: Ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, and vinegar can be stored for long periods.
• Butter and Yogurt: These products often stay fresh for over a week past the date. Just check for a sour smell or mold.

Remember the simple rule – “Use by” refers to safety, “Best before” – quality.

Plan Your Meals and Utilize Stocks

I have started using ChatGPT to create a weekly meal plan before grocery shopping. I input what I have in my kitchen cupboards and which dishes my family enjoys, and ask for help in creating a meal plan and shopping list for the week.

This has helped me keep track of my stock and reduce food waste while saving money.

Save on Own Brands

Switching to supermarket own brands can save you hundreds of pounds a year, says MoneySavingExpert. Some brands produce products under their own label, so you may be paying twice as much for the same item.

For example, a box of 48 Weetabix costs £4.48 at Asda, while the same box from the own brand costs only £2.75.

Use Price Comparisons

It is recommended to use the Trolley.co.uk website for price comparisons to find the best deals before you go shopping. This is especially helpful for expensive items like laundry detergent or dishwasher tabs.

Cut Food Costs in Half

TIFFANY Bott, 32, was able to cut her food costs in half by switching to products with yellow price tags.

The mother of three sons aged 7, 9, and 13 wants to fill her fridge and cupboards to keep up with their growing appetites.

Tiffany from Telford, Shropshire, shared that she began purchasing products with yellow price tags due to rising living costs.

"I had to try to save as much money as possible, especially as a mother of three growing boys," she explained.

"I get a wide variety of products from my shopping with yellow price tags: from fresh fruits and vegetables to snacks, meats, ready meals, bread, baked goods, and delicacies."

The busy mother reported that her groceries used to cost up to £200, but now they only cost £80.

Tiffany knows exactly when to go to her local Morrisons to find the best deals.

"I always make this my first stop to try to find my items with yellow price tags," she said.

"I also check at the end of shopping because you never know if new ones become available."

Avoid Overspending in Supermarkets

When shopping online, always make sure that the search bar is set to the lowest price and pay attention to the unit price to find the cheapest option.

Supermarkets often hide the best deals to get you to spend more.

If you're shopping in-store, pay attention to the unit price on the shelf and definitely check the world food aisle for cheaper versions of basic goods.

Take Advantage of Discount Programs

If you regularly visit a supermarket, it may be beneficial to sign up for its free loyalty program. The Tesco Clubcard offers up to 50% off certain products.

Make sure to activate your Clubcard on your phone and link it to your online account.

At Sainsbury's, keep an eye on the prices for Nectar in the app and activate your personalized offers before shopping.

They also have coupons you can use in-store via the Lidl Plus app.

Find Free Food and Coupons

Sites like MoneySupermarket, Shopimum, Vouchercodes, Quidco, and TopCashback can be a great source of free food and discounts to help you save money.

Remember to only buy what you really need.

Buy in Bulk on Amazon

I prefer to buy bulk packs of my cleaning supplies on Amazon as it is the cheapest place for such purchases.

Use Google Shopping to find more expensive items that can be purchased in bulk, such as shampoo and conditioner, as well as household items. Many personal care products like shampoos, conditioners, and shower gels are perfect for bulk buying.

Know the Best Times for Discounts

Find out when your favorite supermarket lowers prices on perishable goods. At Lidl, it is usually in the morning; at Aldi it’s after 8:00 PM. The best discounts at Tesco come around 7:00 PM in larger stores.

For shoppers at Sainsbury’s, first discounts appear around 1:00 PM, while real discounts become available after 7:00 PM.

How to Compare Prices to Get Favorable Terms

Not everything that is on sale or discounted is a good deal.

There are many price comparison websites that check prices for you - so don’t pay more than necessary.

Here are some recommended platforms:

• Google Shopping - allows you to search and compare prices for products online.
• Price Spy – tracks the price history of products from over 3,000 different retailers.
• Idealo - offers the ability to compare prices among retailers.
• CamelCamelCamel - works only with products from Amazon.

Get Cashback from Chase Bank

Chase Bank gives its customers 1% cashback on supermarket purchases up to £15 per month. It is not necessary to switch banks – just open an account.

Check cashback sites regularly for new offers. For example, Quidco offers new Tesco customers £8 back when they spend over £40.

Shop on Tuesdays at Iceland for People Over 60

Iceland offers a 10% discount for people over 60 on Tuesdays with a valid ID and bonus card.

Find Free and Cheap Food

Use Olio and TooGoodToGo to find cheap and free food near you. Both services are free and aim to reduce food waste.

TooGoodToGo offers discounted food from stores like Greggs, Toby Carvery, and Krispy Kreme, while Olio allows you to find neighbors who give away expiring food.

The Cheapest Supermarket for Food

According to a recent study by consumer market experts Which? Aldi was crowned the cheapest supermarket in August.

The price difference between Aldi and Lidl was just 43 pence in August. A basket of 75 items cost an average of £127.92 at Aldi, while the same basket at Lidl cost £128.35.

Customers using the Lidl Plus card save an extra 5 pence (£128.30).

Compared to other supermarkets like Asda (£139.42), Tesco (£142.36), and Morrisons (£147.20), the situation looks even worse.

Waitrose was the most expensive supermarket with a shopping basket costing £172.61, which is £44.69 (35%) more than Aldi.

In light of rising food prices, it is crucial to know how to save money. Employing smart strategies like buying food on sale, joining loyalty programs, and planning meals can significantly reduce food costs. Analyses show that discounters continue to be the most favorable shopping options, so be sure to pay attention to the special offers from these supermarkets.