For handy reference, I have decided to gather into pages all the frugality tips that I discover along the way. These could take a while to fill up.
Shopping for Food
General
- Don't buy anything that counts as 'empty calories' - especially fizzy drinks. They add masses to your bill, and for what?
- Do your basic shopping at your local Lidl or Aldi store, and then visit the larger supermarkets for anything else you couldn't find there.
- Get to know your local ethnic shops. Big supermarkets sell 'exotic' foods at high prices, so buy them where such foods are not exotic, but everyday.
- Allternatively, check out your local supermarket's "World Foods" aisle. Never buy a small spice jar again!
- More and more supermarkets are charging now for carrier bags. Take your own.
Fruit and Veg
- It sounds obvious, but buy seasonal vegetables and fruit. They are always cheaper.
- Avoid bagged salad. The cheapest lettuce is usually Little Gem, or a simple round lettuce. And they last much longer too.
Dairy
- Buy full fat - especially milk and yogurt. It is usually the same price as low-fat. This seems to go against all dietary advice, but it means you get a lot more calories for your money, and a lot more pleasure too. Seriously, how much use is a fat-free yogurt? If weight is an issue, just use less of it - it will fill you up just the same, and more cheaply.
