How to Make Grocery Shopping Efficient and Cheap

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Set your weekly budget.

   Make sure it’s affordable, but realistic.
   
   You can adjust this once you’ve had some experience or if your circumstances change.
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   Step 2: List the days of the week and decide what your main meal is going to be each day.

   Take into account any activities, late days etc.
   
   Aim to balance different foods across the week, and a mix of quick meals and ‘proper cooking’.
   
   If you plan something more expensive one day, have something cheaper on other days. , Don’t forget the ‘store cupboard’ items, like herbs etc. ,,,,,,, desserts if your budget will allow. , Check your list is within budget.
   
   If it is over budget, look again at your list; can you make a cheaper version of a meal? Will you need to cut down on snacks? Can you do without something until a week when you have some spare cash? If it’s under budget, you can carry some over, or include a treat. , Keep a piece of paper and a pencil handy in the kitchen.
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   Step 3: List the items you will need for these main meals.

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   Step 4: List items for a week’s worth of breakfasts.

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   Step 5: List items you need for making lunches (remember: making your own lunch will be much cheaper than buying ready made lunches on the run).

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   Step 6: List items for making drinks.

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   Step 7: List any cleaning products.

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   Step 8: List toiletries.

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   Step 9: List snack items and 'fun foods' (biscuits

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    Step 10: crisps

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    Step 11: sweets etc).

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    Step 12: List any other items you know you need

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    Step 13: Finally

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    Step 14: get your calculator and run through the list

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    Step 15: putting in the prices of each item (you can round these up).

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    Step 16: Start next week’s list during the week; as you get low on something

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    Step 17: make a note of it straight away.

Detailed Guide

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