Six clever ways to cut your food shopping bill and avoid Brexit price rises
The plunging pound could push up food prices but we’ve got six tips that will help cut down your food shopping bill
FOOD prices are set to rise according to experts - but your bills don’t have to.
The spat between Tesco and Unilever last week, due to the consumer goods giant trying to impose a 10 per cent price increase on the supermarket, it blamed the falling value of the pound for the hike.
In the same week, the Bank of England governor Mark Carney also warned about how Brexit has caused the pound’s value to plummet.
Today, the ex-Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, is set to warn that these price rises are just the “tip of the iceberg” if the UK leaves the EU’s single market without trade agreements in place.
The pound has fallen by up to 18 per cent against other currencies since the UK voted to leave the EU in June.
This has an impact on food prices because a lot of the food and drink we consume is either imported and this is usually done in dollars or euros.
If the pound continues to fall - or even remains at the same rate - it’s easy to see how increased costs from suppliers and manufacturers could start to filter through to our shopping bills.
1. Compare prices before you shop
We tend to be pretty loyal when it comes to supermarket shopping but that doesn’t always mean we’re getting the best deal.
Grocery comparison website mySupermarket.com helps you compare the cost of your shopping with rivals.
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You log in, add items to your trolley and then click to compare the cost of your basket at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s Ocado, Waitrose, Aldi, Iceland, M&S, as well as Amazon, Superdrug, Boots, Poundland and Poundstretcher. The only big name not on the list is Lidl.
It claims to save you up to 30 per cent off every supermarket shop, so it will be a good way to keep on top of your spending if prices do increase.
2. Find the tastiest own brands
Buying big brand names is usually more expensive than supermarket own name items. For example, a tin of Heinz Baked beans costs 75p at Tesco, while it’s own-brand alternative costs 32p.
Shoppers assume that own-brand products won’t be a patch on the familiar names they usually fill their trolley with - but they are wrong.
Some of the products contain exactly the same ingredients and are even made in the same factory.
Unfortunately, it’s a bit of trial and error when it comes to finding the best items.
Food critic Martin Isark has set up his own website called the where he has reviewed more than 10,000 own-brand products from all the big supermarkets.
For example, he rates Aldi’s Belmont Ginger Nuts, 25p biscuits as much better than McVities - which cost four times the price.
3. Don’t forget about coupons
This isn’t just about cutting out the odd voucher, it’s about collecting up hundreds of vouchers and using them in the most effective way possible.
You can find coupons which you can print out on , and .
Then scour magazines and newspapers for any other coupons that might be useful.
Keep a note of when your coupon is set to expire and try filling them in a folder or keeping a spreadsheet to keep you on top of everything.
Remember, only buy something with a coupon if you were going to buy it anyway - as you’ll cancel out any savings by overspending.
4. Shopping at Tesco? Get back double the difference
The supermarket has a little-known policy where it refunds shoppers “double the difference”, if they are overcharged.
He complained to Tesco at customer services and was given £30 back, plus £5 for the inconvenience.
A spokesman from Tesco confirmed that it would be happy to refund customers who were charged more than the price shown on the shelf.
5. Share food with your neighbours (and shops!)
We chuck out 7 million tonnes of food and drink each year and more than half of it could’ve been eaten.
A new food sharing app called Olio connects you with neighbours and nearby shops who have surplus food in an attempt to stop food waste.
You’ll need an Apple iPhone or Google phone to download the app - which is free - to get food swapping.
Once you’ve spotted food that you like then you just arrange collection with the person directly.
6. Make the most out of your freezer
Many home cooks are too afraid or unaware of how to make the most out of their freezer.
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Start by making a list of what’s in your freezer and when you need to use it by. You could do the same for your fridge too.
It’s also worth taking a look at our list of the ten foods that you can freeze, as there are some surprising items including eggs (yes, really!) and even nuts and cheese.
Do you have a money saving tip? Or a way that you cut your supermarket shopping bill? Tell us: [email protected]