Saving money is one of the goals of many Britons for 2018, and one of the first areas to come under scrutiny is the weekly food shop.
Food costs are rising across the UK thanks to a weak pound and unusual weather harming crops.
This means many classic favourites cost much more than they would ten or even five years ago.
So what can you do to slash your grocery bill? These tips and tricks could help save money.
Avoid the deli section
Supermarkets increasingly have a deli section full of exotic looking treats, which are nicely packaged and priced accordingly.
But look closer, and you will see some of the items are available elsewhere in the same store for a fraction of the price.
Foods such as cheese, dips, and some meats are sold in other ranges by the same supermarket for far less than at the pricey deli counter, with most customers unlikely to be able to tell the difference in taste.
Don’t use a shopping trolley
It may be much more convenient, but the trolley is costing you a fortune and adding a significant amount to your bill.
According to research by Reader’s Digest and Business Insider, “when the size of the shopping cart doubled, shoppers bought 40 percent more products than they usually would have”.
Research what is in season
Buying fruit and vegetables that are in season not only tastes better, but is cheaper too.
Look all around the aisles
Supermarkets have spent thousands of pounds on research to try and get shoppers to spend as much money as possible.
One of the tricks they employ is putting the most expensive items on the middle of the shelf at eye level.
To beat this, make sure to scan the shelf from top to bottom – the cheaper brands will often be nestling out of eyesight.
Remove unwanted items before you get to the till
According to Reader’s Digest, 60 per cent of shoppers get rid of items they have changed their mind about while at the checkout line.
But supermarkets took note, and make lines narrower, stopping customers from unloading quite as much, and making them more likely to just buy the item. To avoid this, don’t pick up things you don’t need, and try sticking to a list.