FOOD prices are on the constant rise which could be a worrying time for parents, families and those on low income.
Grocery prices have risen by 11%, causing the average food bill to rise by another £533 per year.
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Now, households are having to fork out £10.25 more every week to buy the same products they did last year.
Research firm Kantar has reported own-label value products have gone up by another 19.7%, forcing shoppers into deep stress.
But there are a few ways you can avoid paying the most expensive prices at the supermarket.
Consumer expert Alice Beer shared some top tips on This Morning, including using loyalty schemes and vouchers to help tide you over for a while.
Coupons
Alice said: “We’re too British about the whole coupon thing – for some reason we’re embarrassed about it.
“Only 50% of us will actually bother to use a coupon even though they’re all out there for us.
She said: “The best way to start is with a loyalty card. The loyalty schemes are tailored you – they’re bringing you the best offers – and they are the biggest percentage discounts.
“So, get signed up. If you’re a regular Tesco customer, there’s absolutely no reason for you not to be on the Clubcard scheme.”
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Alice says you save roughly 30% on products generally if you use Clubcard.
She does warn about Clubcard Plus though – that’s a monthly subscription and you’ve got to be a regular big shopper to win on that one – but otherwise Tesco, Nectar, Boots, Superdrug, Lidl and Morrisons all have worthwhile schemes to sink your teeth into.
“It’s a no-brainer.”
If you’ve got coupons available, the best idea is to download them before you leave for the shops.
Sometimes the signal can go if you’re in a shopping centre – you don’t want to be struggling to get them to load as you reach the checkout.
Shop online
Alice says: “Online, there are several sites which make [shopping with coupons] easier.
“MoneySavingExpert always has updated vouchers on it.”
Today, the bargain-hunt site has a Sainsbury’s £15 off a £60 shop voucher for first time shoppers. There’s also an Iceland voucher which is £5 off a £45 shop for new shoppers.
Alice says: “These sites will direct you to the current vouchers.”
If you visit MoneySavingCentral, you can find even more vouchers and coupons along with handy guides which will help you find the best deals.
Double check subscriptions
Alice says: “Please avoid the huge incentive sites – if there’s a massive incentive, look at what the price you’ve got to pay is.
“If you’ve got to click through and sign up to a subscription, you’ve got to be really sure you’re going to take the first free period and then end it.
“These can end up costing you more.”
Often, once you type in your email address to subscribe, you can end up accepting a long list of other offers along the way.
Alice says: “This is not the time for us to be signing up to subscriptions. We can’t. Money is too tight at the moment.”
Use grocery delivery companies
Most of the time, you can get offers when you use a particular delivery company for the first time.
Alice says: “Just be a tart. Use one, then the other, then another, and get all your discounts.”
Some brands to get you started:
Eating out discounts
Alice says: “If you’ve got a family occasion – I know some of us are really tightening our belts at the moment – book the first table of the evening and you will get 50% off your food.
Alice says you’ll get that half price discount for three to four people, as long as you take the earliest table available.
Recycling
Alice says: “M&S, Schuh, will offer you £5 or £25 off if you take in a bag of old clothes.”
You should also try bringing in your own cup to coffee shops like Pret and Starbucks to get more incentives.
She says: “It’s a no-brainer. We’ve really got to be canny about this.”
If you’re looking for coupons, always be careful about parting with sensitive information and clicking on unknown links – experts are finding more scammers trying to fraud customers with fake vouchers.
And if you’re stressed about the cost of living crisis, here are some contacts that could lend a helping hand for the time being:
