What's Your Lowest Weekly Shopping Budget?

With Asda late night shopping i can get a whole weeks shop for less than a tenner in the yellow ticket section and the bread tray reduced bit - got 10p french bread sticks x4 usually and just stick it all in a chest freezer - a chest freezer is essential for us bargain hunters!

It’s easy for me as I am very flexible about what I eat and where I shop, and if I get a good selection of reduced goods I’d buy enough to fill the entire week. Last week a nearby m&s had lots of items reduced to 50p and 60p, so I bought a lot of things from there

If things are tight for us then I buy less meat or buy frozen meat as it lasts longer and I cut out everything that isn't essential, so no chocolate, crisps, sweets etc. I always buy the value or supermarket own range. I don't shop in Aldi as our nearest one is too far and our lidl is too small for a full shop, but you could try switching supermarkets if you haven't already. Go slightly later in the day, if possible, a Friday or Saturday night are normally good for yellow sticker deals and freeze whatever you can. Also use everything that is in your cupboards. When making homemade meals, like spag bol, lasagne, chilli, add lentils to bulk it out, means less meat and it will go further. Meal planning is also a good idea. That way you know exactly what you need to buy and means you can make a list and stick to it.

This is what I have found helps me.

We are on a very tight budget because we chose to take early retirement at 62, the choice was poor and happy or rich and dead. We only have savings equal to state pension to cover rent/utilities/food so we do morrisons 'yellow stickers' we saved £156.43 compared to full price in February. It's knowing the time of day to go.

I make a meal plan & shop online. ( I find it easier to stick to budget online). Cut out any non essentials. Avoid expensive cuts of meat & fish. Take advantage of any offers that are on. (Eg 3 meats for £10 etc) Pasta is cheap, you can make a sticky sauce just with olive oil, puree & garlic. I keep parmasan in the fridge all the time (its lasts ages) for flavour. Veg stews/soups you can usually get a stew pack for 99p, add dumplings to make it more filling. Jacket potatoes are another cheap meal. If you catch the yellow sticker times bulk buy then & freeze to use later what you can. This is how i tend to do things when we are stretched.