January is a time of detoxing and diets, trying to give up the junk food and eat healthy instead. However, ย for most people, the only pounds they will lose will be in their wallets.
โNew Year, New Meโ right? Itโs common for most people to start the New Year with a resolution or two โ even when we really want to keep our promise to ourselves, itโs not always that easy.
The most common resolution every year is to eat healthily, but food that has health benefits often comes with a higher price tag. So, do we leave eating healthy to the highest earners?
According to a recent study by StarBargins.co.uk, even higher earners shop for bargains instead of forking out on expensive items. The results of the study of 1,000 British consumersย revealed value for money (68 per cent) and price (66 per cent) are now the two most important considerations for shoppers during their regular food shops.
The data shows even one in two (50 per cent) of those earning between ยฃ75,000 and ยฃ99,999 per year, say price is key.
The majority (61 per cent) achieved monthly savings by simply looking for deals and price promotions, while 45 per cent will shop in discount retailers. The same number will choose to buy food from the reduced aisle.
โItโs interesting to see just how universal the quest for good value has become. No one is too well off to benefit from a good price or good value,โ said Karen Gunter, director at StarBargains.co.uk. โAnd who can blame us? Everyone likes the feeling that theyโve snapped up a bargain.โ
PA Lifeโs top tips for eating better for less
- Consider doing your weekly shop at a cheaper supermarket โ swapping Waitrose for Aldi or Lidl
- We all love branded goods, but swapping some of these items for supermarket own brands will often taste the same and cost less.
- Do your weekly shop online โ this will cut most of the distracting in-store advertising, meaning that you are more likely to shop for what you really want and need.
- Bulk buy products where possibly โ you can get up to six frozen chicken filets for the price of two fresh ones in some supermarkets.
- Plan your food shop by meals so you have a plan of ingredients you need before you get to the store, as this helps stop distraction.
- Donโt be afraid to buy fruit and veg that looks different in shape; if your carrot is more round than straight, chances are it tastes exactly the same once youโve chopped it up.
- The reduced aisle is always worth a check, as is the bakery at the end of the day for some great price savings.
It appears that eating well for less is universally considered the goal, and the โcheaperโ supermarkets now competitively rival larger brands. With a little planning and smart thinking you can eat well for less and enjoy the โNew Youโ, youโve been working towards.
If you have any tips or advice for PA Life readers to save money on their shop, email v.ferrara@forumevents.co.uk
