The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Tried and tested ways to really save on groceries
From budgeting shocks to cost-of-living chaos, we’re all keen to save a few quid at the moment, and Imy Brighty-potts shows how Tiktok is stepping in to help people do just that
Buying groceries may have felt like a depressing, anxiety-inducing exercise lately, as food prices are through the roof, making it harder to feed our families and keep the cupboards stocked.
Food and drink inflation surged to the highest on record last month.
Prices of food and nonalcoholic drinks rocketed 16.2% in October.
So, many of us are taking to Tiktok to find great ways to save, and luckily there are brilliant creators trying to help. Here are a few of their best tips.
1. Process your groceries and pop them in the freezer
Gina Zakaria has become a huge name on Moneytok (the money-saving community within Tiktok) and she shows her audience some incredible foodrelated hacks.
One of her best is about processing your own food. With things like cheese, buying it pre-prepared is just not feasible. But, we equally may forget about things we prep and leave in the fridge. So, Gina suggests grating and slicing cheese, and then freezing it for future use. Fewer additives, less money, less waste. Win, win, win!
2. Semi-freeze and then freeze discounted food
You see something on offer in the supermarket, it goes off tomorrow, but is so well priced. What do you do? The Gleason Co have the answer to this dilemma. They advise taking say, chicken drumsticks, laying them on a covered tray, part freezing them (for an hour), then taking them out, bagging them up and freezing them fully. Because they are part-frozen, they won’t all stick together, making it easier to take out to use only what you need.
3. Cut out food waste
Wasted food is wasted money for creator Thefreebielady. She managed to reduce the cost of her groceries by using up food that’s going off. Take things like stale bread and make croutons, or browning fruit to make snacks (try drying it in the oven or airfryer) and desserts (baked fruits with custard, anyone?). Spend less on groceries, but make the most of them.
4. Know what you have in the house
Ever opened the fridge and found something you forgot was in there? Got a cupboard full of duplicates because you kept buying pasta thinking you’d run out? You’re not alone. Creating a handy inventory you can build shopping lists with will save on waste and cash. That way, you can meal plan and look for recipes based on what you have, not what you’ll spend.
5. Meal plan
Yes, it may be a hassle, but it really is the best way to save money. You are far less likely to order takeaway or stop by the shop on he way home if you plan your meals. A bit of effort now will save future you time and effort. Alex, or mac.larena, makes helpful videos on meal prep, saving as a parent, and shopping deals.
6. Get to know unit prices
So, the price on the label may not be the price you should be considering when you shop, and lots of creators are pointing this out. Rachel Coons is one of those, and she explains you should “make sure you aren’t just looking at the overall price on items... check out the price per ounce to get the most bang for your buck.” So, if you have two packs of sausages costing the same, but one contains six and the other pack has eight, go for the one with more in!
Look at the price per gram, how much is actually in the container, and decide which product will give you the most for the least amount of money.
7. Change the way you snack
If you spend a lot on pre-packaged snacks and lunchbox fillers that come with a lot of plastic waste and a higher price tag, this is a big area where you can save money (and the planet). Whip up a dip from a can of chickpeas and serve with veggies, make cheap and healthy muffins, or spread peanut butter on to apple slices. And limit snacks to two a day, in between meals, so kids (and parents) come to the dinner table ready to eat, and food isn’t wasted.