Irish groceries are expected to see a slight increase in the coming months as the rising cost of energy trickles down to the process of farming and transporting products across Ireland.
Some families are facing a strain on their pockets as a result of the rising costs across the board, and so budgeting has never been a better skill to have.
The weekly grocery shop can end up costing hundreds if you don’t plan out exactly what you and your family need ahead of entering the store.
So, from traditional practises to what to avoid, here are some practical tips to lower that food bill.
Stick to a unique budget
More often than not, the person doing the shopping bill doesn’t set out an amount to spend before heading out - which can lead to picking up things you don’t necessarily need.
So, set aside a budget for each element of your meals for the week and break down what will cost you the most, and what could save you money.
In most supermarkets, meat and fish are going to be the most expensive item on your list.
Therefore an easy way to cut the costs is to cut the amount of meat and fish in each meal. Instead try bulking up your plate with nutritious veggies or pulses.
By opting for cheaper protein sources such as lentils you will cut your meat budget by a lot over time.
Cook from scratch
For some, the idea of cooking from scratch is not an option - with busy lifestyles and constant family errands.
However, by setting aside just an hour a week, you could bulk cook for a number of days and ultimately save yourself time and money.
Buying ready made meals or jarred products not only contains way less nutrition than homemade meals, but they also eat into the weekly spend.
For instance, instead of buying a premade pasta sauce, buy a passata or tin of chopped tomatoes and add dried herbs and leave to cook - you’ll get more product and less additives.
Buy store own-brand products
Avoid buying branded produce and you will see your food bill slashed.
They will always be a fraction of the cost and often are sourced in Ireland, so not only are you bagging a bargain but you’ll also be supporting local businesses.
Create a shopping list
To avoid impulse buying, take a list of what’s in your store cupboards or if you’re really organised set up a weekly list of what you've used so you can tick off what you need - this will also show you what you actually use in the house, so you can avoid buying the things that remain unused for weeks on end.
Write down what stock you require before you leave for the shops and only bag the bargains if they are close to what’s on your list.
Buy frozen
There has always been a misconception that frozen food is less nutritious than buying fresh from the supermarket - but it is actually a myth.
With fast freezing techniques used nowadays, the process locks in even more nutrients.
Aside from this, frozen options are generally a quarter of the price, and are simple to defrost when preparing so it’s a win-win.
Cupboard staples
You can never have enough cans of tomatoes, they are super cheap and you can whip up a soup or a pasta for under a euro.
Other things to remember are, non branded, or own brand chickpeas, kidney beans, and butter beans will all typically cost far less than branded ones - some are just 49c.
Dried herbs, brown rice and wholegrain pasta are also must haves in your cupboard and it means you’ll always have the makings of a cheap meal.
Bags of pasta in the likes of Aldi are available for less than €1.
Batch cook and freeze
When you’re in need of a quick meal, it’s very tempting to buy something quick in the supermarket to shove in the microwave.
But these items are generally more expensive than if you made it yourself.
So, each time you make a meal, cook a little extra and pop it in the freezer for days when you need something quick.
You can pick up plenty of Tupperware for just a few euro in the likes of Mr. Price and Dealz.
Spend some time at the weekend cooking up lasagnes, Spaghetti Bolognese or shepherds pie - all cost-friendly and easy to freeze and re-heat.
Budget supermarket
This is probably the most obvious tip we can give - shopping in the likes of Donnybrook Fair, Marks and Spencer’s and some local stores is likely more expensive than heading to the likes of Lidl and Aldi.
You can save hundreds a month, and still pick up local Irish produce in both grocery stores, as well as all the staples for under €1.
