Nationwide, the world's largest building society with over 16 million members, has issued a crucial reminder ahead of the summer holidays. The financial experts urge members to take action if needed, particularly regarding food shopping, which they describe as 'one of the biggest costs to budget for.'
Seeking Support from StepChange
Nationwide directs members to the StepChange website for help with maximizing their food budget. This is especially important for families with children, as kids will be at home for longer during the summer break and likely require more snacks throughout the day, potentially increasing food costs compared to the school term.
Tips for Shopping for Less
StepChange, a debt charity, offers several practical tips for reducing food shopping expenses. These include planning ahead and batch cooking, auditing what you already have in your cupboards, using loyalty points, and shopping around for the best deals.
Using Up What You Have
StepChange emphasizes that using up existing food can make a significant difference. This includes tinned foods, dried foods such as rice, noodles, and pasta, sauces, frozen foods, and fresh food that will expire soon. Sticking to a strict shopping list and batch cooking are also recommended strategies.
Benefits of Batch Cooking
Batch cooking involves preparing enough food for multiple meals and freezing them for later use. StepChange explains that this approach can save time during the week, reduce energy bills by cooking in one go, prevent food waste, and make the most of multi-buy offers.
Avoiding Temptation and Using Technology
StepChange advises against being tempted by special offers and suggests downloading a free shopping list app that can send alerts when you need to restock an item. This helps avoid buying duplicates and ensures you purchase only what you need.
Coupons, Loyalty Points, and Reduced Sections
Don't forget to use coupons or loyalty points, and check the reduced section in stores. Items with 'yellow sticker' discounts can be found in fresh, chilled, and store cupboard areas, so it's worth exploring all sections.
Emergency Help and Budgeting
StepChange acknowledges that managing food costs can be harder for some than others and urges people to read its guide on emergency help with money for food. If you are struggling to pay bills and heat your home, the charity stresses: 'Don't wait to get free and impartial debt help.'
Nationwide also recommends taking a deeper look into spending to understand how much is needed for bills, basic living costs, and what remains for other priorities. Creating a budget can help identify areas where spending can be reduced.
