Poverty, hunger and starvation. These are terms often associated with the third world, which is a distant reality from our every day lives in the West. Increasingly, the problem of poverty is appearing on our own doorstops. Once thriving families now forced to either forgo former luxuries or feel famished. We rationed in the War, we survived on very little so we are capable of dealing with poverty. Perhaps a question that needs answers is: Have we simply forgotten how to look after the pennies so that the pounds look after themselves?
The aim of this article is to explore ways of saving when shopping.
This will be done through a five-point approach, which I hope may help ordinary people in saving money in this difficult climate. There is a lot of confusion amongst shoppers who visit different kinds of supermarkets. It's time to break it down.
1. Make a plan, Batman.
The saying goes 'Fail to plan, plan to fail' and this runs true, even in your food shop. Sparing a couple of minutes at the start of each week to plan your meals for the entire week can go great lengths to reducing your shopping bill. End the aimless browsing of the aisles, swooping up random goods as you go and enter with a firm list - helping to avoid those unplanned temptations.
2. Stop being a brand snob.
"Oh, that was a Smart Price Jaffa Cake?
I ate seven and enjoyed them immensely but now you tell me they're a budget brand, I didn't like them at all." Who made us such food connoisseurs? More often than not, taste differences are very minimal but the price differences are a great deal more impactful. I'm not saying you have to drop all your luxuries, I like a premium quality breast (of Chicken) as much as the next girl - but try making a few small swaps and benefit from the big difference.
3. Eat before you beep.
Studies show that when shopping on an empty stomach we will usually spend more money than we would with our appetites satisfied. So cut out the "Oh I fancy that's" and the "I could die for one of those" by filling up before you shop. As a bonus, it'll give you more energy for whizzing up and down those aisles.
4. Deal or No Deal.
I'm not suggesting you take Noel Edmonds with you to do your shopping, simply keep your eyes peeled for supposed 'deals' in Supermarkets. Not all offers are as honest as they first seem, big bright labels exclaiming proudly - 2 FOR £2. "Oh fantastic! Barbara, do grab four. No, grab eight! It'd be rude not to at those prices." Look a little closer, the offer might not be quite as good as you think.
5. Do your best David Dickinson.
HUNT THOSE BARGAINS! Despite the aforementioned rouge offers, there are many top money-saving deals. Especially if you time your shop right, Supermarkets tend to put discount stickers on foods later in the day - you will find your supermarket has a routine, get to know the best time for grabbing those reductions and you'll be saving pounds in no time.
They may be running short on 'use by' dates but freezers are there for more than just peas. Defrost as and when and use within 24 hours and it shall be problem solved, pennies saved.
According to government statistics, we waste other £12bn of food each year and it's time to face the facts that we simply cannot afford this any longer. Even if you manage to achieve only one or two of the five steps above - Every Little Helps. Have a go, thank me later.