The cost-of-living crisis in the UK has us all feeling the squeeze. If you’re worried about your grocery budget, you’re not alone. But don’t stress! There are simple and smart ways to cut grocery costs without sacrificing quality or taste. Whether you’re looking to save money on your food bill or reduce food expenses, you’ve come to the right place.
PLAN A WEEKLY MENU TO LOWER YOUR GROCERY BILL
One of the easiest ways to cut grocery costs is by planning a weekly menu. When you plan your meals ahead, you know exactly what you need and can avoid those impulse purchases that often lead to a higher grocery bill. Plus, meal planning helps you reduce food waste, ensuring you use up everything you buy. This means you’ll save money on your food bill and enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re in control of your spending.
Meal planning isn’t just about saving time. It’s about making your life easier and your wallet happier. Imagine opening your fridge and knowing exactly what’s for dinner – no stress, no waste, just delicious meals ready to go!
Meal planning isn’t just for the hyper-organised. It’s for anyone who wants to save money, reduce food waste and make life easier. Imagine opening your fridge and knowing exactly what you’re cooking. Bliss, right?
FOOD BOXES: A SIMPLE WAY TO CUT GROCERY COSTS
If meal planning feels overwhelming, don’t worry. Food box delivery companies offer a fantastic alternative that can help you save money on your food bill. These services provide everything you need to make tasty meals, often at a lower grocery bill than shopping for ingredients separately.
Below you will find more details about the 3 most popular meal kit companies (as seen on TV) and ones that I have personally tried and tested.
GOUSTO
Gousto is perfect for those who love variety. With 75 recipes to choose from each week, you’ll never get bored. Whether you’re feeding 2 or 4 people, Gousto’s flexible subscriptions allow you to pick meals that suit your dietary needs and tastes. The best part? All ingredients are pre-measured, so you don’t waste a thing. Plus, they offer a brilliant discount – 60% off your first order and 25% off for the next two months. Gousto makes it easy to save money on your food bill while enjoying restaurant-quality meals at home.
SIMPLY COOK
Want to reduce food expenses without sacrificing flavour? Simply Cook delivers unique ingredient blends and recipe cards right to your door. You just add the fresh ingredients. The boxes are designed to fit through your letterbox, making it super convenient. No commitment, no hassle – just tasty meals that help you cut grocery costs. And with no long-term subscriptions, you can pause, cancel, or change your order anytime.
ODDBOX
Oddbox is the go-to for eco-conscious shoppers who want to lower their grocery bill and fight food waste. They rescue fruit and veg that supermarkets reject and deliver them to your door at a fraction of the cost. Not only do you get fresh, high-quality produce, but you also help reduce food expenses and support charities that fight food poverty. With boxes starting at just 99p for new customers, Oddbox is a no-brainer for anyone looking to save money on their food bill.
WHY FOOD BOXES HELP YOU CUT GROCERY COSTS
Food box delivery services are more than just a trend. They’re a practical way to lower your grocery bill and reduce food expenses. These services take the guesswork out of meal planning, providing you with everything you need for delicious, home-cooked meals. No more impulse buys, no more food waste, and no more stress about what to cook.
When you break down the cost, food boxes can often be cheaper than buying all the ingredients separately. Plus, you’re getting high-quality, fresh ingredients delivered right to your door. It’s a win-win – you save money on your food bill and enjoy stress-free cooking.
START SAVING MONEY TODAY!
Ready to take control of your grocery budget? Start planning your meals and consider trying one of these food box services. You’ll see just how easy it is to cut grocery costs while still enjoying delicious, healthy meals. Don’t let the cost-of-living crisis overwhelm you – start saving money on your food bill with these smart, simple strategies.
Don’t let the cost-of-living crisis get you down. Take control of your food bill today with these simple, smart strategies.
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This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small fee if you sign up for some of the products or services recommended, at no extra cost to yourself.
63 Comments
Valerie Seal
3 October 2022 at 4:38 PM -An interesting read
Miss Money Saver
4 October 2022 at 11:16 PM -Thank you
coldi
4 October 2022 at 10:11 AM -Write a weekly meal plan, then a shopping list and check what you already have in the cupboards. Make sure you stick to your list when you shop! And I always use lidl as I find it so much cheaper.
Miss Money Saver
4 October 2022 at 11:16 PM -Great tip! That is something I never used to do and always ended up with multiple of the same things in the cupboards, which resulted in a lot of food wastage. I now make lists and stick to them
Maria
5 October 2022 at 3:20 PM -I always try to put away at least 20% of my wage as soon as I get paid
Debra Walker
7 October 2022 at 5:18 AM -Buy supermarket own label most just as good as brand names
Angela Kelly
14 October 2022 at 12:52 PM -Meal plans are key. I’m also not a brand snob for things like toiletries: Whatever is cheapest, goes in my trolley!
Gill HM
18 October 2022 at 10:39 AM -This is a slow save – but a good one. It’s called the 1p challenge. Save one penny on day 1, 2p on day 2, 3p on the third day and so on. After 365 days you could end up with savings over £650!
Miss Money Saver
18 October 2022 at 11:13 AM -I like this one. I may start doing this.
Marcia
28 October 2022 at 1:31 PM -Not done it this year, but I’ve done it in the past but in reverse. It just means that by the time you get to December it’s only pennies you’re putting in and a lot easier to finish earlier by putting in December’s altogether.
Dawn Gray
21 October 2022 at 12:17 PM -Lots of helpful info and places to get discounted items
Natasha Daly
24 October 2022 at 10:28 PM -Meal planning
Megan Richardson
25 October 2022 at 5:01 AM -I love to use olio a free app we’re people post food for free ! Really helps me to save money
Miss Money Saver
25 October 2022 at 8:29 AM -Never heard of this. Thanks for sharing
Jayne Townson
25 October 2022 at 7:32 AM -I try and cook nutritious cheap meals in bulk and then freeze portions for another day.
Selena Longworth
25 October 2022 at 7:39 AM -We got veg boxes from lidl for £1.50 and make soup and stews or smoothies 🙂 healthy and easy. Depending on the contents we freeze some of it too.
Definitely going to look into oddbox too.
Miss Money Saver
25 October 2022 at 8:29 AM -Didn’t know lidl did that. Brilliant idea re soups, smoothies & stew. Definitely will be doing this
Penny
25 October 2022 at 7:56 AM -Save money by avoiding food waste – eg make soup from veggies past their best and freeze bread and leftovers for using later.
Amelia Matthews
25 October 2022 at 11:01 AM -I always meal plan so I know what I need to buy and try to use up the stuff we’ve got in the cupboard
James Travis
25 October 2022 at 12:32 PM -Try and bulk buy long lasting items when there is a really good offer on. Save you money in the long run.
Rachel
25 October 2022 at 12:57 PM -I withdraw cash each week as opposed to putting everything on card. Saves me money as I’m more aware of what I’m spending and less likely to add little treats to my shopping basket
Heath84
25 October 2022 at 3:13 PM -My tip would also be to prep meals en mass to help manage your food budget more closely but also your health.
Ellen Stafford
25 October 2022 at 4:59 PM -I always batch cook! It really helps.
Julie Taylor
25 October 2022 at 5:29 PM -Getting out of the habit of buying coffee and lunch. I make it at home before and at work. Saves loads.
Miss Money Saver
25 October 2022 at 5:45 PM -I do the same. I buy shops own brand and take a container full which I keep in my desk at work
Sheena Read
25 October 2022 at 6:46 PM -Only buy what you need and not just because it’s on offer.
Miss Money Saver
25 October 2022 at 7:49 PM -Great tip, also don’t shop on an empty stomach
Zoey H
25 October 2022 at 7:03 PM -Batch cooking andr sizing up in evening meal so can have for lunch next day too
Troy Easton
25 October 2022 at 7:09 PM -Use discounts from companies to help save money on food.
Miss Money Saver
25 October 2022 at 7:48 PM -Also cashback sites – check out my blog post here
AJ
25 October 2022 at 8:20 PM -Buy new goods from eBay, charity shops and car boots for gifts. They are far cheaper than new items at retail price but they are still great for gifting.
Miss Money Saver
25 October 2022 at 9:03 PM -also Vinted and Shpock are good too
Patricia Barrett
25 October 2022 at 9:45 PM -Don’t be so proud to not shop at the budget retailers like Aldi and Lidl. You can save yourself a lot buying non brand items.
Marcia
28 October 2022 at 1:27 PM -M&S also do a great range of own brand products that rival Aldi on price
Ritchie
26 October 2022 at 2:04 PM -My best money saving tip is not to have any children.
Miss Money Saver
26 October 2022 at 5:24 PM -lmao, brilliant tip but a bit to late for me
Donna W
26 October 2022 at 8:05 PM -A great tip I read recently was to stick to your shopping budget but try to make it stretch an extra day and shop every 8 days instead of 7, thus saving you hundreds over the year. I go a step further and try to make it last 10 days if I can.
Russ Drew
26 October 2022 at 9:08 PM -I always used to buy branded products but Supermarket own Rich Tea are just as good as the branded ones as are their crisps and weetabix are often twice the price of supermarket own brands – some products are a bit hit and miss but I’m having fun trying which ones are worth buying for keeps
Marcia
28 October 2022 at 1:26 PM -I’ve started using tinned potatoes to make roast potatoes. Especially if you get the supermarket own brand potatoes, they are really good value. Cheap, peeled and ready cooked, they save you money and time. Can be on the small size, but they taste amazing. Can be done in the oven or airfryer 😀
Chloe
28 October 2022 at 8:38 PM -Dryer balls are my new thing this winter! Reduce the cycle and softer clothes!
Miss Money Saver
29 October 2022 at 9:29 AM -Thanks for this tip. I’d not heard of these. I’ve just bought 2 on amazon for £4.25 reduced from £7.99 Amazon Link
Lauren
28 October 2022 at 10:20 PM -Some great tips on saving money which is something I definitely need during this cost of living crisis.
Pam H
29 October 2022 at 11:09 PM -Never go shopping when you are hungry. Try to plan meals as much as possible but be flexible – if you see a great money saving deal grab it!
Kirsten Barthy
29 October 2022 at 11:09 PM -Always worth checking apps like Shopmium for money off or even free food items before you had to the supermarket
Clive
30 October 2022 at 8:18 AM -Try and cut down on those take away meals – one or two less a month can save £’s over the course of a year. Home made meals are more likely to be healthier as well with less sugar and salt.
Miss Money Saver
30 October 2022 at 10:41 AM -Or you can buy fake aways. Iceland do them. Not sure where else
Emily Smith
30 October 2022 at 10:01 AM -Don’t automatically renew insurance eg car, shop around for the best deal ideally 23 days before
Miss Money Saver
30 October 2022 at 10:39 AM -Also, use a few comparison sites to find the best deal. Some also do cashback through Quidco so worth signing up with them first
Kim Willing
30 October 2022 at 1:23 PM -Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry, you tend to buy more. Make a list and stick to it. Look at the price per 100ml or per 100g etc on shelf labels to get an idea of the cheapest product as offers are often confusing and look cheaper, but very often aren’t!
Janine Atkin
30 October 2022 at 2:27 PM -before you buy something, check if you have something in the house that will do the same job
Lynne OConnor
30 October 2022 at 4:06 PM -TooGoodToGo and other similar aps can save you an absolute fortune if you don’t have to make a special trip to collect a “magic bag”
Miss Money Saver
30 October 2022 at 5:25 PM -Never heard of this. Will look these up
Laura Corrall
30 October 2022 at 5:18 PM -I’ve only ever heard of gusto, the other 2 sound brilliant. We like to save a bit of money by buying in bulk as well as cooking in bulk. We then freeze what we aren’t eating that day so we have some ready meals.
Miss Money Saver
30 October 2022 at 5:25 PM -Gousto are definitely amazing, especially with the fact majority of the ingredients are stuff you have in your cupboards. Check out the others, I’m sure you’ll like them too
Rebecca Smith
1 November 2022 at 11:56 AM -definitely giving Oddbox a go and gonna make a veg soup
Adrian Bold
1 November 2022 at 8:13 PM -Lot’s of great money saving tips. I think we could all use financial advice right now with the cost of living.
Melissa Lee
3 November 2022 at 6:32 AM -Gousto are my favourite but I’ve not had a box from them in a while. Must take a look at their menu!
Miss Money Saver
3 November 2022 at 6:47 AM -Gousto is by far my fave, but I definitely recommend checking out the others
Dawn Gray
6 November 2022 at 5:10 PM -I try to replace some brand names with supermarket labels each week.
Rhian Thomas
6 November 2022 at 11:02 PM -I have a monzo account which helps with budgeting. When I get paid I put all my money into my monzo account and separate the money in different pots e.g pot for petrol, pot for food, pot for weekend spend, pot for Christmas presents etc. It helps me save and budget for the whole month.
Miss Money Saver
7 November 2022 at 7:48 AM -That sounds brilliant
Wendy Lam-Vechi
21 November 2022 at 6:45 PM -I really like the sound of Oddbox. I find it sad that a fruit or vegetable can’t be sold because it doesn’t look perfectly uniform
Amanda Botterill
29 November 2022 at 2:49 PM -Any tips to save money are useful