Food Budgeting/Shopping

Young children and babies are particularly vulnerable to the cold Zzzzzz comfortably in a ventilated bedroom heated to 18° C /64°F-

Food Budgeting/Shopping

Tips for spending less at the supermarket

1. Plan ahead and write a shopping list - plan your menu around foods you already have and write a shopping list of what foods you need. By writing a shopping list you reduce the chance of making impulse purchases - those little items you don’t need but which often find their way into your trolley. You also are less likely to waste food.

2. Look out for offers and deals - there are always offers available in supermarkets but when is an offer a bargain? Will you use it? It’s only a bargain if you will use it. Most supermarkets provide unit pricings on shelf labels so look at the price per 100g or 100 mls to help you work out what’s best value. Bigger isn’t always better nor are multibuys.

3. Watch out for marketing traps - shops employ subtle marketing practices that try to steer you towards certain products or parts of the store. Colourful flowers, fruit and vegetables as you enter make you feel happier and more relaxed which may make you slow down and spend more time in store. The smell of food cooking can make you feel hungry and encourage you to buy more.

Bread and milk are often at the back of the store so you have to walk past everything else to get to the essentials. Offers at the end of aisles tend to be ones which have a good profit margin and may not be as good a bargain as they seem - shop down the aisles, where you can see all the available options and make an informed choice. Products with higher profit margins are placed ay shopper eye level – look up and down for better bargains. Colourful price tickets draw the eye towards ‘offers’. Impulse buys tend to be placed near checkouts.

4. Join loyalty schemes - loyalty card schemes can save you money – some allow you to build up points which can be exchanged for vouchers or money off at the tills. Some allow you to trade your points for better rewards. Bring your loyalty cards with you each time you shop – it may not seem like you’re saving much but it all adds up.

5. Shop and eat seasonally - know which fruit and vegetables are in season.

Retailers tend to discount UK fresh produce when it’s in season as there is more availability. Food not in season has to travel further so will cost more.

6. Get fruit and veg from the frozen aisle - the frozen aisle tends to be an overlooked part of the supermarket. As well as tending to be cheaper, frozen fruit and veg is just as healthy as fresh.

7. Try the world food aisle - another overlooked aisle is the world food aisle. Here you can find common food items in unfamiliar packaging that are often cheaper – soy sauce, rice, lentils, etc.

8. Buy ‘own brand’ - supermarket own brands are normally less expensive and better value than branded version. Check the top and bottom shelves for cheaper options.

9. Time your supermarket shop - don’t go shopping when you’re hungry – you’re more likely to spend more. Shopping in the evening could save you cash - as closing time approaches, supermarkets tend to discount fresh items.

Remember it is important to eat well in order to keep healthy. Some tips that you could follow are –

1. Eating regular meals will help keep your energy levels up during winter. 2. Hot meals and drinks help keep you warm. 3. Plan your meals and keep your diet as varied as possible. 4. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to boost your immune system. 5. Stock up on tinned and frozen foods, so that you don’t have to go out too much when it’s cold or icy. 6. Drink more milk and eat more dairy products. These boost your immune system and help prevent colds.

For more tips and advice on food budgeting and food wastage, visit - www.consumercouncil.org.uk/costofliving/food

Useful Links -

BBC Good Food - www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-reduce-food-waste Love Food Hate Waste - www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes

Iceland - 10% discount for over 60s every Tuesday

To redeem the discount, senior shoppers will need to show one of the following –  Senior Bus or Rail card  Driver’s License

Local Charity Shops

You can also reduce how much waste you produce by shopping in charity shops. There are a range of charity shops across Mid and East Antrim offering a wide variety of great quality second hand pieces, from winter coats to help you stay warm to toys for children.