Louise Smith has explained how she got a mammoth haul of Waitrose shopping at more than 80% off.
The mum of four from Kent has been looking to save money on her shopping as she isolates with her husband Mark during lockdown - as they both continue to go into work as a prison officer and policeman respectively.
"Lockdown is hard as we are both key workers, so we haven’t seen our four children since before the lockdown to keep them safe,” Louise, 40, told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.
But she did have a stroke of luck when out shopping - nabbing an incredible £157 haul for just £24.
“I managed to get a yellow sticker shop in Waitrose because I happened to be there at the right time," Louise said.
"Because of the panic buying, shops had ordered more and now it’s slowed down and not so many are going to the shops people, there are a lot of reduced items.
"It cost £24 and should have been £157!"
The good news is that she's able to store what she can't eat too.
"I have two large freezers and a full store cupboard all the time. If I see things reduced I buy and freeze and meal plan around this,” Louise said.
But that's not the only way she saves on food.
“My top tips are meal planning, as it saves a fortune,” Louis said.
"Some weeks I don’t really have to shop at all.
"Make an inventory of what you have and use that to create meals.
“Use Facebook groups to help inspire you. I run a Facebook group called Slow Cooker Recipes for the Opinionated and it’s extremely supportive and has a vast selection of recipes.
"The members are extremely helpful - if you post what ingredients you have, they suggest meals to make.
"Batch cooking also saves a lot of money: make a large chilli, for instance, bulked out with cheap items like baked beans and tinned tomatoes and then portion and freeze.
“It can be used for things like jacket potato topping, tacos, Mexican bake and burritos.
"I’ve found Facebook groups like my cooking group, craft group and book club really helpful to chat and get and give support.
"I also volunteer in my village to do shopping for those who can’t get out and pick up medicines, and I have a table outside my house with books and jigsaws and board games on where people can help themselves while out on their daily exercise.
"I also have been using the House Party app to stay in touch with friends and family and play quizzes etc with them!”
