Have you noticed that the cost of your supermarket shop has rocketed? With the rising cost of living, and particularly food, it's worth considering what you waste money on. While it's tempting to buy everything in one trip to a big store, you can save a stack of cash by avoiding some items.
Here are some tips for your supermarket shop:
Pre-made pasta sauces: Using these sauces may seem a time saver — but this is an expensive deception. A jar of pre-made pasta sauce can cost as much as £3.50, which is exorbitant considering they typically contain basic ingredients. Stacking up on tinned tomatoes, at around 30p a tin, some herbs and garlic — and anything else you fancy popping on your pasta — could save you a small fortune over the long-term. You'll also avoid the salt and additives shoved into pre-made sauces — making this the healthier option to boot.
Bottled water: Trips abroad to countries where tourists are advised to avoid drinking the water makes buying the bottled kind a necessity — but for us Britons it's an over-priced luxury. Why pay a premium for something that you don't need, and can access in your own home? British tap water is on the safe side, so leave the bottled variety off your list to save cash.
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Electrical appliances: Ok, so you can buy a supermarket own-brand toaster — but is this the bargain you think it is? The beauty of our modern age includes the benefit of online shopping. So get on your computer before you opt to buy your appliances from the supermarket to compare prices across a wide range of brands. There is probably a cheaper alternative elsewhere — and one that's made to a higher standard as supermarkets aren't bred to specialise in these items. This also goes for buying extension cords and light bulbs at the same store you buy your bread and milk - you're probably paying too much for them.
Bagged salad: You may feel virtuous popping bags of this greenery in your trolley, but you'll pay a premium for it. At around £1 a bag, you'd be better of buying a lettuce instead from the supermarket or your local grocer — it will last longer and this is also the healthier route. Bags of salad leaves are pumped full of chemicals to keep them fresh on supermarket shelves. Or the green-fingered may be inclined to grow their own.
Spice mixes: You know those little bags in the supermarket that hold lots of spices in one sachet? They're tempting as a timesaver in the kitchen to add flavour to our cooking, but you're not getting value for money when you buy them. Alongside the spices, the sachets often include a heavy dose of additives and salt. Instead, consider what flavours you really want for your dish, and buy these separately — they'll last longer and you'll have more control in the kitchen when adding a kick to your food.
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Frozen vegetables: There is little effort involved in cutting your own vegetables from scratch, so don't succumb to the supermarket trick of pre-prepared diced carrots with a knob of butter in a bag. You'll pay over the odds for this unnecessary luxury. Anyway, a fresh, misshapen carrot will taste better than the frozen kind for a fraction of the price.
Finest ranges: Choose supermarkets' own brands for your basics and watch the cost of your shop sink. For the odd meal, you may want to indulge in one of the more expensive ranges, but why bother for your staples? Avoid splashing out on the best ranges when it comes to fruit and veg and save this for special treats.
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