How to save money on your favourite treats

Even when money’s tight, it’s nice to get the odd treat now and then, like a chocolate bar or a cup of coffee. But when does it get to the point where a treat has become so expensive that you can’t justify buying it anymore?

Research by Checkmyfile has found that on average, the most popular treats in Britain are 40% more expensive than they were five years ago.

And many items have seen even bigger increases in price, such as:

• Terry's Chocolate Orange - £1.24 to £2.50 (up 101.6%)
• Medium Costa Coffee - £2.45 to £4.40 - up 79.6%
• Cadbury Dairy Milk (360g) - £3.00 to £5.00 - up 66.7%
• PizzaExpress Margherita - £9.95 to £16.45 - up 65.3%
• Fish and chips - £6.93 to £11.17 - up 61.2%

Small increases add up to big costs

An increase of a pound or two here and there might not seem much, but it can have a big impact if you enjoy those items regularly.

For example, if you like to get a medium Costa coffee every day, you’ll be spending £1,144 a year - £507 more than in 2021.

And if you have a chippy tea once a week, you’re paying an extra £220.48 each year than you did five years ago.

So what options do you have if you want to enjoy your favourite treats without breaking the bank?

Shop around for good deals

Branded items cost different amounts depending on where you shop, so it’s worth comparing supermarket prices to see where you can buy them for less.

Recent research by Which? found that Asda was the cheapest place to get branded items last month, and that many other supermarkets offer much lower prices if you have a loyalty card.

So if you’re in the habit of going to the same shop each week, shop around to see what deals you can get elsewhere.

Eat at home

If you’re put off going to your favourite restaurant or takeaway because of the price, why not recreate your go-to order at home?

Supermarkets offer a great selection of premium pizzas, curries and other family favourites that are just as good as anything you’d get if you were eating out.

And they also have deals where you can get sides and drinks at knock-down prices.

You could even go one step further by making your favourite meals from scratch, such as:

• pizza
• chips
• curry with all the trimmings

Don’t just buy branded coffee

If you can’t go without your daily coffee, then check out independent coffee shops in your area.

They may offer better value than the big chains you’re used to.

And if you’re heading out for the day, why not take a flask of coffee with you? 

Making your favourite drink at home can cost a fraction of the price of buying it on the go, and you can still enjoy a little treat while you’re out.

What else can I do to keep costs down?

If you want to keep on top of your spending, it’s a good idea to create a budget.

When you know how much money is coming in and going out, you can prioritise your spending and work out what you can afford to spend.

We’ve also put together some handy tips on how to keep the cost of your weekly shop down, which could help your money go further.