Did you know that the students currently studying in the UK are spending an average of £30 a week on their food alone! That doesn’t sound like a huge amount but if you can half that you could be saving yourself around £800 a year!

Below are some points that can influence your spending as well as hints and tips to save:

1. Shop later in the day

If you try and arrange one day a week to go and shop for food in one of the larger supermarkets after 7pm you will find a lot of reduced items. These items are being reduced because they go out of date the next day or the day after. You can purchase and freeze these items, make sure you defrost them on the morning you would like to use them and they will be just fine!

2. Plan your meals before you go

Make a list before you go, it will stop you from buying items that you don’t need! If you are shopping just for yourself then a 2 pack of chicken fillets could work for two of your dinners! Just buy some different vegetables to accompany it and you have two dinners there.

3. Buy own brand products

Don’t be afraid to use own brand products they are often just as good as the branded ones and are a fraction of the price. Try setting yourself a challenge for your next shop; buy only own branded items, see how it all tastes for that week!

4. Look out for online vouchers and deals

There are often deals to be had out there, keep an eye out in magazines and newspapers too.

5. Loyalty cards

We often ignore this offer because it is presented to us at the end of our food shop and we just want to get home at that point. Next time take a leaflet, you can usually fill out an application form online to be sent a loyalty card. You should then keep the card on you for each shop and ensure your points are added each time you shop. This will earn your money off your shopping bill and or other benefits, all at no extra cost!

6. Be vigilant of the ‘deals’

Try not to be drawn to apparent deals, if you look closely at some of them they aren’t really deals at all. Keep an eye out for this, if you stick to your list you may not be looking anyway!

7. Don’t let your food go to waste!

If you cook up a lovely batch but there is just too much for you to be able to finish it all; have an air tight storage pot to use for storing it. You can usually leave this in the fridge for a day or two depending on what it is, alternatively freeze it and have it again the following week.

8. Don’t shop on an empty stomach

If you haven’t eaten all day and you go into a supermarket you are much more likely to rush and panic buy. This is when you will end up buying the expensive unnecessary items.

9. Price Match!

Take advantage of the supermarket wars here in the UK. The major brands all want the best price label so fight hard against their competitors to prove to us that they are the best value for money. They offer money back if their competitors sell some items for a smaller amount, ask your local supermarket what their price guarantee is and make sure you pull them up on it when you catch them out!