Updated August 2025 | By PoundPath.com
Are rising UK supermarket prices squeezing your budget? This guide shares 15 actionable tips to help you save money on groceries in 2025. Whether you’re shopping for a family or living solo, these strategies are designed for real UK households.
Table of Contents
- Why Are Grocery Bills Rising?
- 15 Clever Grocery Savings Tips
- Best Money-Saving Grocery Apps
- Sample Weekly Meal Plan
- FAQ
- Image & Video Suggestions
Why Are Grocery Bills Rising?
UK food prices have increased due to global inflation, supply chain issues, and unpredictable weather affecting harvests. Essentials like butter and olive oil have seen notable price hikes, while shop loyalty schemes and apps are helping shoppers save.
15 Clever Grocery Savings Tips
- Plan Your Meals Each Week: Use a meal planner to avoid buying unnecessary items and make the most of discounts.
- Stick to Your Shopping List: Avoid impulse purchases by shopping with a list and consider ordering online.
- Store Food Properly: Keep eggs in the fridge, milk at the back (not in the door), and onions in a cool, dry cupboard to reduce waste.
- Get Your Portions Right: Measure out ingredients to avoid cooking too much and wasting leftovers.
- Try ‘No Spend’ Days: Make meals from what’s already in your cupboard or fridge.
- Switch Supermarkets: Compare prices between Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s for the best deals.
- Look for Yellow/Orange Stickers: Reduced-to-clear items can be frozen for later use.
- Batch Cook and Freeze Portions: Cooking in bulk and freezing meals saves both time and money.
- Shop at Local Markets: Find bargains and seasonal produce, especially near closing time.
- Use Money-Saving Apps: Try Olio, Too Good To Go, and Approved Food for deals and surplus food.
- Bulk Buy Smartly: Stock up on non-perishables and freeze meats bought on offer.
- Invest in Kitchen Gadgets: Slow cookers and air fryers save energy and turn cheap ingredients into tasty meals.
- Be Energy-Smart: Microwave or air-fry instead of oven cooking when possible.
- Swap Brands for Own-Label: Supermarket own-brands are often just as good at a lower price.
- Maximise Loyalty Schemes: Use apps or loyalty cards for member discounts and points.
Best Money-Saving Grocery Apps
| App Name | Purpose | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Olio | Share/collect extra food | Android/iOS |
| Too Good To Go | Discount surplus food | Android/iOS |
| Approved Food | Clearance groceries | Website |
| Kitche | Track food usage/waste | Android/iOS |
Sample Weekly Meal Plan
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Porridge | Sandwich & fruit | Veggie curry |
| Tuesday | Eggs on toast | Soup & bread | Pasta bake |
| Wednesday | Yogurt & banana | Salad | Chilli (batch cook) |
| … | … | … | … |
FAQ
Q: Is buying frozen or tinned food cheaper?
A: Yes, often 30-50% less expensive than fresh and lasts longer.
Q: When do supermarkets reduce items?
A: Yellow sticker reductions are common at lunchtime and late evening.
Q: How do I know bulk buying saves money?
A: Compare unit prices (per kg/item) and only buy what you can use or store.
Image & Video Suggestions
- Market stall with fresh produce (alt: “UK market produce bargains”)
- Supermarket shelf with yellow stickers (alt: “Reduced to clear items in UK supermarket”)
- Batch-cooked meals in containers (alt: “Batch cooked meals ready for freezer”)
- Meal planning board or template (alt: “Weekly meal plan for saving on groceries”)
Suggested videos:
- How to use Too Good To Go or Olio in the UK
- Slow cooker batch cooking demo
- Energy-saving kitchen tips
Extra Tips for 2025
- Shop seasonally and try growing your own herbs or veg
- Avoid paying for pre-chopped items
- Learn best-before vs use-by dates: much food is safe past best-before