Shopping: Consumer expert critiques shoppers’ sustainability
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With food prices increasing, now is the perfect time to hone your savvy shopping skills. Adam, 32, a retail sales assistant from London recently revealed the bargains he snapped up when browsing supermarket shelves each week. Since he started, Adam has saved over £2000 by purchasing discounted groceries. Here’s how you can save money too.
“Many years ago when I was a teenager, my parents would bring food back from ASDA with yellow stickers when they were reduced to 10p-50p late at night,” Adam told LatestDeals.co.uk.
“I went once with them. So my family have always been savvy shoppers.
“In 2015 I was watching Extreme Couponing USA and wondered if anything like that existed in the UK.
“I found an Extreme Couponing group on Facebook and found out about cash back apps, coupons and yellow stickers.
“Since then I have been a regular bargain hunter and saved thousands with cashback apps such as CheckoutSmart and ClickSnap on Quidco.
“I have picked up free food, drinks and supplies, and I also regularly get discounted clothes and homeware items.”
As for where Adam finds the bargains, he explained: “I mainly shop in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer.
“Typically the kinds of items I pick up are bread, fruit, cakes, pastries, party food, sandwiches and meats.
“Some examples of bargains I have picked up include a crispy tofu meal kit from Marks and Spencer. It was £11.50 but I paid just £1.72 and made a meal for four.
“In the same shop I also picked up a rotisserie chicken for 67p instead of £6.72! I managed to create another meal for four with that as part of a roast dinner.
“In Waitrose, I once paid just £5.27 for a shoulder of lamb originally priced at £21.12 and £1.49 for a leg of lamb worth £8.99.
“I also like to pick up Too Good To Go boxes – I got one from Morrisons where the value was over £15 but I only paid £3,” Adam revealed.
When is the best time to find the discounted items?
“Most of the bargains I find are usually reduced by up to 70 percent,” Adam said.
“I usually go to find discounts after my work, which can range from 5pm- 8pm.
“I will visit a few places on my way home. Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s usually reduce their items by 50 percent or more after 7pm, and sometimes it’s earlier in Marks and Spencer.
“Some supermarkets have a dedicated chilled cabinet with a yellow label saying ‘Reduced’. Sainsbury’s is one example.
“Others, like Marks and Spencer, just reduce the items and leave them in the aisles they come from, so you need to search more for them.
“Also, some supermarkets have a dry goods shelf for damaged products, seasonal and discontinued products,” he added.
But what does Adam do with all the food he buys?
“All the food I will not use straight away I will freeze,” he said. “I have bought meat and frozen it for meals in the future, doing the same with bread and cakes for a treat later in time.
“I have even frozen ready made sandwiches for my work lunches and they have all been fine.
“I try not to waste anything if possible.
“My advice for those seeking more bargains would be to check out your usual aisles for red labels and reduced to clear items.
“When items are discontinued or seasonal they are reduced to clear – from tinned meat to old stock.
“The freezer section can also be home to some good bargains. You just need to look out when you’re doing your normal shopping. I’ve picked up loads of items using this method.”
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