A bargain-hunting mother has revealed her astonishing shopping triumph, managing to reduce a £29.55 Marks and Spencer haul to a mere £2.96. The savvy shopper, known as Jo on Instagram under the handle ThisMumCooks, shared her secret for securing massive discounts on long-life essentials.
The Secret Behind the Massive Savings
Jo explained that her incredible savings were all down to timing and targeting the supermarket's reduction stickers. She visited her local M&S after the reductions had been out for some time, possibly since the previous day, meaning many of the best offers were already gone. Despite this, she still managed to find a treasure trove of discounted items.
Many products had been reduced by a staggering 90%, with items originally priced at £2.50 slashed to just 25p. The discounts applied predominantly to long-life goods, including rice, pulses, flour, and various baking ingredients. A jar of honey, normally £6, was picked up for 60p, while almond extract costing £4 was snapped up for 40p.
What Was in the Bargain Basket?
Jo's carefully selected haul was both practical and exciting for her cooking plans. She secured several bags of rice and quinoa, jars of chutney and preserve, bottles of almond extract, and a bag of Ancho Chillies she was particularly eager to try. For fans of the iconic Colin the Caterpillar, themed sprinkles were reduced from £2 to 20p.
She also noted a humorous pricing error, spotting a Chicken Fajita mix that had been increased from 50p to £1. "Something had definitely gone awry there," she joked in her video. Jo emphasised that none of her purchases would go to waste, showcasing the smart thinking behind yellow sticker shopping.
Expert Tips for Bagging Supermarket Discounts
If you're inspired to hunt for similar bargains, grocery expert Richard Price of BritSuperstore offers valuable advice. He explains that most major supermarkets like Morrisons, Aldi, and Asda use a two-stage discount strategy for perishable goods.
For Morrisons, the prime time to check for yellow stickers is early evening, around 5pm, when reductions can reach up to 90%. Some items may also be marked down in the morning. At Asda, the strategy is to visit twice daily—once in the morning and once in the evening. Shoppers should aim to be early, as stores opening at 6am or 7am often have the best fresh produce deals.
Jo's story proves that with a keen eye and knowledge of supermarket reduction patterns, significant savings are within reach for all UK shoppers.
