How to save money on your weekly food shop

Food spending is one of the largest and most controllable costs in a household budget. Unlike rent or mortgage payments, it flexes month to month — and the gap between what people spend and what they need to spend is often significant. UK households throw away an estimated £700 worth of food per year on average, before even considering whether they are paying the best prices for what they do use.

Plan meals before you shop

Shopping without a plan almost always results in a larger bill and more wasted food. Spending ten minutes before you shop to plan five to seven meals, write a specific list, and check what you already have in the fridge and cupboards will typically save more than any individual discount or swap.

Planning around what is on offer or reduced — rather than deciding what you want and then buying it at full price — is one of the most effective food savings habits you can build.

Compare supermarkets honestly

Many UK households shop at the same supermarket out of habit without checking whether it is the best value for their usual basket. Aldi and Lidl consistently come out cheapest for most standard grocery items in price comparison studies. Switching your main shop, or doing a split shop, can produce significant savings with little difference in quality for most products.

Use own-brand and value ranges

For most everyday items — pasta, tinned goods, rice, oil, cleaning products, and many dairy items — supermarket own-brand or value ranges are manufactured to the same standard as branded equivalents, often in the same facilities. The price difference is almost entirely marketing. Switching a significant portion of your shop to own-brand can reduce your bill by 20 to 30 per cent without any change in quality.

Reduce food waste

Food waste is effectively the same as throwing money in the bin. Simple habits that reduce waste include storing food correctly so it lasts longer, using up older items before buying new ones (shopping your fridge before the shops), and freezing things before they go off rather than letting them spoil.

Batch cooking is another effective waste reducer — cooking large amounts at once and freezing portions means less food is wasted and less energy is used.

Loyalty schemes and discount apps

Most major UK supermarkets offer loyalty cards that provide personalised discounts on items you buy regularly. Tesco Clubcard and Sainsbury's Nectar both unlock price reductions that are only available to card holders. Apps like Too Good To Go also allow you to buy food that would otherwise be wasted from local shops and restaurants at significantly reduced prices.

How Ask Fin can help

My Monthly Budget in Ask Fin lets you set a food spending target and track it as part of your wider budget. The Voucher and Discount Engine can help you find current offers and cashback opportunities on supermarket spending.