Pre-packed bags of prewashed salads can be 50-70% more than mixing & making your own salads.
How to shop at the supermarket
When shopping if you have only come for a few items don't pick up a shopping basket as this is likely to make you buy more shopping.
Expensive items are often at eye level with the cheaper products above & below.
Ready made meals are often expensive compared to what you can make fresh yourself.
There are often impulse buys at the till so just try not to tempt yourself.
Never buy badly dented cans as the seal could be broken and the contents could be dangerous
Check out the supermarkets own magazine before you start shopping. There may be money off coupons or offers inside.
Collect your loyalty points at the supermarket.
Online Supermarket Shopping
Some stores are consistently known to be the cheapest so it is best to try and shop there if you can.
Wines
Cheaper wines can be poor value as most of the cost of these is in tax on the alcohol so choose carefully.
Most table wines sold in supermarkets & bottle stores are designed to be drunk within 1-2 years. After this they will often dry out, let air in and spoil.
Pour leftover wine into a smaller bottle and seal with tight fitting cork. Or use apump that removes air from half finished bottle.
Opening an inexpensive bottle of red by letting it breath for 2-3 hours before drinking.
Check out the 12 bottle for the price of 11 if you're having a big party & bottle stores may lend you wine glasses.
For everything you need to know about whisky check out Scotch whisky
Heat spoils wine so always keep it cool.
Sell by dates
Fresh food bought loose, usually has no sell by date.
Sugar, salt, dried pulses & canned food will store for a long time.
Olive & vegetable oils keep well after the bottle has been opened, but walnut & other nut oils become rancid after 2-3 months.
Dried fruit stores well
Nuts should be used up as they quickly lose their flavour
Fruit & Veg
Buy in season fruit & vegetables when you can as they can often be much cheaper at that time.
Try picking your own if you can as it may be much cheaper.
Try to shop at local greengrocers as often have cheaper fruit & vegetables. Supermarkets often buy unblemished items of similar size to loook more attractive in packaging. Greengorcers & market stalls often buy less visually perfect produce. But remember to select the individual items with care.
Also there can be local weekend markets that have even better deals. Find out where your local farmers markets are found. Always try to buy fruit & vegetables when they are in season as they are often cheaper.
Pre-packed bags of prewashed salads can be 50-70% more than mixing & making your own salads.
Salads with added dressing or croutons can be over 30% more expensive
A sack of potatoes or onions can be stored through winter.
Can you freeze it?
Freezing fruit & veg that is in season and food in general and then eating later on can save you lots of money.
Yes: Raspberries, skimmed, semi skimmed & double cream, tomatoes for soups & sauces, spinach, fully cooked potatoes, fresh meat, fish or shellfish, creamy deserts
No: Whole melons, bananas, full fat milk, lettuce, uncooked potatoes, previously frozen meat fish etc.
Food Shopping when on holiday
What to buy abroad
France: cheese, honey & olive oil. Mustard, cooking chocolate & strings of garlic. Wines of most types.
Belgium: Chocolates high quality
Italy: Salami, Parmesan, Parma ham, panforte, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pasta maker. Aperitifs- Campari & Limoncello
Spain: saffron, Pata Negra dried ham, dulce pimenton (smoked paprika), turron (nougat), olives, sugared almonds & sherry
Asia: Chinese & Indian teas. Unusual spices. Decorative serving bowls, kitchen utensils or decorative china
Middle East & North Africa: Spices. Herbal, floral or fruit teas, hone olives, Turkish delight, whle nuts in honey, dried fruits. Greek or Turkish coffee pots.
Kitchens
Pans
Choosing the right pan can save you alot of money. Stainless steel are good value & are easy to care for.The steel should have chrome/nickel content of at least 18/10.
Aluminum pans are fliiser but less susceptable to wear & tear if coated.
Box sets are best value, so check them out in the sales.
Knives
A good quality knife is made in one piece. Sabatier, Henckels & Global are good quality. Kitchen Devil knifes have been recommended for best value for money.
Saving in the kitchen
Just fill the kettle to the amoutn you need.
Put a lid on the suacepan when boiling.
Roasts or casseroles can be started in acold oven if they need to be cooked for more than an hour. Only baking needs preheated oven.
The cheapest & fastest way to bring water to the boil for cooking in a saucepan is to use the kettle.
Try to put as much in the oven when cooking, as it is the same price no matter how much you fill the oven with
Pressure cookers reduce cooking time by almost 2/3rds. They are better than microwaves for cooking large quantities.
Steam fast cooking vegetables in a basket over a pan in which you are boiling slower-cooking ones like potatoes.