Bolton mum explains how she cut her shopping bill by incredible £90 a week

Mum-of-two Amy Atkinson used to spend rather a lot feeding her family.

When the Bolton resident, 31, totted it all up she worked out that - weekly takeaway included - they were spending £150 a week.

So she decided to take action - using every trick at her disposal she managed to cut her bill to £60 a week or less, then shared her secrets to help out other mums.

"I used to be spending £150 a week on food including a takeaway,” she told money saving community  LatestDeals.co.uk .

“Now it's around £50 to £60 a week and that's with having a 'takeaway' I make myself.

"I buy whatever I can on reduced but we eat really well with steaks, curries, fruits, vegetables and treats too.”

Cupboard items Amy managed to pick up for just £6 from Co-op (Amy Atkinson)

Amy still treats her families to Indian banquets - just using ingredients picked up at bargain prices rather than from the takeaway.

That means the same food comes in at a fraction of the price.

“I was spending £25 to £30 on one takeaway a week, but I now nip to the supermarket, get trays from the £1 shop and buy ingredients as cheap as I can," sh explained.

“For example, the Indian banquet for six cost me £10 and a couple of hours cooking - if I’d got all that as a takeaway we’d be talking £50 or more."

Amy got this incredible haul from Home Bargains and Morrisons for just £5 (Amy Atkinson)

Amy also times her visits to the supermarket to make the most of discount deals.

“I go to the supermarket around 9am as they usually start reducing at 8.30am,” Amy epxlained.

“Sometimes I go later in the day too and they further reduce last things but it's always best in the morning.

"I also go on Sundays around 4pm as most supermarkets close around 5pm so there are loads of bargains to be found.”

She added: “I save a bomb doing it this way. I do one monthly online shop for £100 then about 4 times a week I go to Morrisons and Home Bargains and stock up spending between £5 and £7 a day at most."

Amy makes sure her family eats just as well as before (Amy Atkinson)

The savvy mum also had tips on making sure she made the most of discount items close to their use-by dates.

"Loads can be frozen and this will save me a lot,” Amy said.

“Buy reduced yogurts, add a stick in and freeze - you've got lolly yogurts, my kids love them.

"Buy cheap bread to either use within couple days for picnics, freeze, buy to take kids feeding ducks, crumble as breadcrumbs and store in a jar - lasts ages.

"Buy cheap reduced fruit, chop up if big pieces, then freeze to add to your gins later. Buy cheap meat and freeze just defrost before use.”

But there was one tip above all other.

“I never pay full price for anything - I always hunt first."