Love Food Hate Waste report that each month, the average family in the UK could save £83 per month by avoiding food waste. This equates to around £1,000 per year that could be added to our pockets by saving food from the bin.
Save Money by Saving Food
So, how can you minimise your food waste, and save money by doing so?
Here are some simple steps and top tips to follow so that your food budget can last longer; and to see the difference in your wallet at the end of the month.
1. Check the Fridge and Plan your Meals
Look through your fridge, freezer and cupboards before any food shop. Ensure that any food that needs to be used is eaten before you buy more. This also gives you the chance to plan meals with what you already have in the house. Ask yourself “what will pair well with what I have leftover?”
2. Meal Plan
Every week, create a meal plan. Our top tip is to ensure your meal plan is realistic. This should help you to avoid nipping to the shops for small impulse purchases at a higher price. With a meal plan, you are less likely to visit the shop later in the week for that last-minute purchase which often leads to buying more than you planned.
Batch Cooking
Choosing to batch cook is a great way to ensure you’re using perishable foods before their use-by date. This also makes it easier for you later in the week to enjoy a home-cooked dinner, without the cooking! Simply store in your fridge or freezer, ensuring the food is in a sealed container.
3. Make A Shopping List
Make a shopping list and make sure to stick to it. A shopping list not only ensures you won’t forget anything but will also help you to avoid impulse buys and overbuying.
Tip: if you are struggling with shopping lists, take a quick picture of your fridge, freezer and cupboards as a reminder of what you have at home whilst you are out shopping.
4. Budget
A budget is one of the most importance steps in money management. Set your budget before visiting the store and stick to it. Supermarket own brand food can be an easy way to stick to a budget without cutting down your shopping list. Often, supermarket own brand tastes just as good as branded food and at a more affordable price.
We recommend taking a second look at any deals that may be enticing to you. Consider if the food on offer is an item that you need and will use. Deals often sway us into buying what we don’t need or too much food. Remember that if it ends up in the bin, money has been wasted rather than saved on a deal.
Tip: we know that adding the cost of what is going into your trolley as you go can be difficult. Try Quick Scan to help you keep track of the total price as you go.
5. Food Storage
Keeping certain food chilled can help it to last longer. By making sure you are storing your food correctly, it will be much easier for you to avoid food waste. Fresh food can be stored in the freezer if you aren’t ready to cook with it yet.
Tip: Bread is one of the foods we waste the most. It can be kept in the freezer to last longer, allowing you to toast straight from the freezer whenever you’re ready.
Help with Unaffordable Debt
If you’ve been struggling with your finances, Trust Deed Scotland® may be able to help.
The Trust Deed Scotland® team of experienced debt advisers can help you to understand the debt solutions available to you. Call today to find out how you could reach a fresh financial start:
📞 0141 221 0999
Alternatively, try the Trust Deed Wizard® Tool and see what your monthly payments could be in a Protected Trust Deed, Debt Arrangement Scheme or alternative Scottish debt solution.