How planning ahead can save you money on food

The big food shop seems to get more expensive every week - but being more organised could help you cut costs significantly.

New research from Good Food shows that more than four in ten (42%) people are planning their meals in advance to save money.

Meanwhile, one in four (25%) said they’re cutting costs by batch cooking.

So how can you embrace these habits and save money at the supermarket?

Write a shopping list

Before you go shopping, decide what meals you want to eat over the coming week in advance and write down what ingredients you need.

If you follow a list in the supermarket, you’ll only pick up those items and ingredients you actually plan to use.

At the same time, you’ll be less likely to impulse buy, be tempted by unnecessary extras and throw out food you don’t end up eating.

Buy low-cost, versatile ingredients

Base your meals around cheap ingredients that can be used in lots of different ways, such as rice, frozen veg and tinned tomatoes.

You’ll then have loads of different meal options at a fraction of the cost.

Check out our list of 12 ingredients you need in your kitchen.

Learn to love your freezer

If you’re cooking a meal, always make a bit more than you need and freeze leftovers in single portions.

Meals like chilli and bolognese sauce freeze really well, and cooking up a bigger portion takes no extra effort.

You’ll then have tasty, healthy, home-cooked meals ready to defrost on those days when you’re busy or just don’t feel like cooking.

That’s good for your health and your wallet, and means you won’t need to turn to processed and expensive ready meals or takeaways.

Check our budget-friendly recipes

If you want to keep costs down at the supermarket, you don’t have to compromise on taste.

We’re regularly sharing great budget-friendly recipes that will satisfy your taste buds and your wallet at the same time.

Breakfast

• 5 ways to use oats at breakfast time 

Small meals

• carrot and coriander soup
• tortilla pizzas
• 6 easy lunchtime ideas

Main meals

• chicken curry
• lentil bolognese
• mac ‘n’ cheese
• chilli 
• burgers

Sides

• chips
• egg fried rice
• flatbreads 

Snacks and desserts

• peanut butter cookies
• snack bars
• ice cream
• smoothies
• bread and butter pudding

You’ll also find great tips on how to make your shopping go further, such as:

• 5 ways to use up stale bread
• why you don’t need to throw out veg that’s about to go off
• what do use-by, best before and sell-by dates really mean?
• why you don’t need to buy those expensive jars of pasta sauce

We’re sharing new tips and recipes every week, so make sure you check back.