Food inflation is hitting households hard, with families switching and ditching products in an effort to cut down their weekly bills.
But while many are struggling, Jo Threlfall, a PR manager from Manchester, has managed to cut down her weekly shop to between £11 and £16 a week.
Jo, 31, lives alone and is keen on maintaining a healthy lifestyle which means she often buys lean mince, poultry and fresh fruit and vegetables.
She has managed to keep her bills down thanks to buying in bulk and then batch cooking. Jo said: “Packets of mince can now be bought in Aldi for 750g, it’s bigger than the usual 500g and costs only 45p more”.
Also, Jo tries to shop around. While most of her groceries are bought in Aldi, she also shops at Poundland.
“People forget shops like Poundland sell stock cubes and other food items for very little, so it is worth going there. I also get all my cleaning products from there as it is so much cheaper than any other supermarket. Corner shops can also have some cheaper items such as pasta if you have the time to look around”.
Jo’s weekly shop
Jo shopped in her usual store Aldi last week, spending £16.16. Many of her items were reduced. This is an example of just one of her shops. Below are the items she purchased:
– Mixed Salad – reduced to £0.65
– Five per cent 750g beef – reduced to £3.45
– Baguette bread x2 – reduced to £0.99
– Small pint of milk – reduced to £0.75
– Oat milk – £0.95
– Taco kit – reduced to £2
– Grated low-fat cheddar cheese – £1.10
– Chocolate and caramel protein puddings x2 – 95p each
– 12 pack medium eggs – £2.19
– Ripe avocado x2 – reduced to £1.09
– Croissants x4 – £1.09
Getting cut price deals on fresh fruit and vegetables – also known as yellow stickered items – is a key way to save on your food shopping, Jo said.
“Things like salad and vegetables can often be heavily reduced and can last longer than the best-before date in some cases so it can be worth doing a late-night haul.”
“I tend to buy two batches of medium or large eggs whenever I go shopping in case I can’t get hold of them again. They’re also better value when you buy more – as long as you use them.”
Although we may see prices continue to rise, Jo believes people can cut costs.
Preparation, she says, is key. “I take notes of everything I buy and keep an eye on price so I can compare. I track my budgeting through my bank, Monzo, and see which items have changed the most in cost. If you can do this, you can definitely save.”
Jo’s daily menu
Breakfast: Jo starts the day with oats and protein powder. Alternatively, she may have scrambled eggs with avocado on one slice of brown bread
Lunch: Salad with chicken, tuna or salmon. She also often has chicken, brown rice and broccoli.
Dinner: This is a protein focused meal often including beef, chicken, Quorn, tofu with vegetables.
Snacks: Protein pudding or fruit with greek yoghurt
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