I'm still spending too much on food.

Take_a_hike_Elon_and_Jeff

Like another mentioned earlier pay with cash. I use a pot system within my Monzo app and allocate a set amount per week. Every Monday I withdraw the cash and I force myself to make it last in fact I challenge myself to have some spare cash left at the end of the week. I leave all cards at home and my phone so there is absolutely no chance I can overspend. I tend to go once a week to shop and also challenge myself to avoid going to the shop with NSD's (no spend days) when it seems like I have nothing left in the fridge I look at dry store ingredients it's amazing how creative one can become to make a meal from nothing!
I carry a calculator and look at the price per kilo and keep a running total of my basket there are times when I realise it's going up too quickly and sometimes put an item back on the shelf reminding myself it's a luxury.

It can be frustrating at times as there are times I long for throwing anything and whatever into my basket but unfortunately I'm in debt and clawing myself out of it, on the plus side it makes me appreciate the treats when I do have the odd one and besides rich people are rich because they too have budgets!

Scumblepancake

Thank you everyone. This week I've avoided shopping and stretched out meals with grains and more veg. All your tips are so helpful. I'll have a look at Monzo because it looks like it could be very helpful for me, even if I just have it as a designated groceries account.

CMol723

Let your reduced items inform the rest of your shop, build your meal planning around your yellow ticket items, in this way those discounts will have their max impact! ALWAYS make your preferred "brew" at home and take it with you in a travel mug. Meet friends for one drink rather than a meal? Follow "the full freezer" online, optimise your freezer use - prep and freeze extra yellow ticket items and anything that is on the brink of going off - you can end up with a freezer full of discounted items and ingredients that you can then whip up a meal from directly as and when! Batch cook. Good luck! Report back! 

twopenny

Be careful of the discounted shelf.

I once noticed when that's all I bought that I hadn't saved a fraction of what I thought I had by reading the Reduced from labels.

Tend to buy only meat, cheese and tinned stuff when it's on offer. The meat goes in the freezer which does mean that you have to plan meals to a certain extent. But will make a chilli or some such and then freeze the extra.

One important thing taught to me by my grandmother - write down for a week in detail, what you are spending on each item. It's a pain for sure but it's also a big eyeopener. And sometime you want to  skip things because you know it's small but they are what add up.

I love a good coffee and it's tricky with friends wanting to meet. But I keep good coffee at home and use that in a flask if I'm going out on my own.

A little trick I came about when the coffee out was becoming my downfall was some coffee sweets. Made with real coffee and take the edge off the compulsion   I also have some in my bag to offer to friends.

Available all over the place.

https://tradewindsorientalshop.co.uk/products/kopiko-coffee-candy-100g?variant=41046523871395&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOorAsOoJIGRRUioY02XX9spkhUEDq-ynemDZ8QJnU5Y9UszZR_uq0Zo

bouicca21

I started keeping a spreadsheet this year.  It told me two things. If I nip into my nearest supermarket to buy something I need, I end up buying things I want but don’t need.  And I probably only think I need whatever it was that took me in there in the first place.  Lesson: avoid shops!

The second thing was that I spend a lot on coffee out.  I decided this was actually ok.  If I am having coffee out I am meeting up with friends and that’s good for my mental health. Also we will. be in an independent coffee shop so good for local business.

Scumblepancake

My grocery shop is down £100 from last month just by stopping shopping so often and making do with what I have. I can get it down more but I'm amazed I was spending that much by just nipping in for some milk.

Nelliegrace

We have gone back to buying the extra milk at the local Co-op, 2 x 4 pints for £3 with the loyalty card, like the old Co-op member’s dividend. It saves a car trip to the supermarket and, with their prices, there is little temptation to buy any extras, so the extra 10p spent is good value.