A Welsh mum, Nicola Richardson, has successfully halved her weekly food bill to £45 through savvy shopping and meal planning. Nicola, 37, who works in education and has two children, shared her budget cooking tips, including creating detailed shopping lists, measuring ingredients accurately, and hunting for discounted yellow sticker items. By implementing these strategies, Nicola has significantly reduced her food expenses from around £100 to £45 per week.
Nicola emphasises the importance of meal planning and sticking to a shopping list to avoid impulse buying. She also advocates for buying cheaper cuts of meat and incorporating more vegetarian options to save money. Additionally, Nicola suggests taking advantage of discounted food items marked with yellow stickers and using apps like Olio to access free surplus food, especially during tight financial periods.
Batch cooking plays a key role in Nicola’s money-saving efforts, allowing her to have homemade ready meals on hand for busy days. She recommends using a slow cooker for convenience and cost-effectiveness when preparing larger quantities of food. Nicola’s go-to batch cooking recipes include goulash and chicken fajita wraps with rice, highlighting the versatility and time-saving benefits of this approach.
With her disciplined approach to shopping and meal preparation, Nicola ensures that her weekly grocery budget covers breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for her family. Despite the need for careful planning, Nicola finds consistency in her meal choices to be a practical way to streamline her routine. Through batch cooking and strategic shopping, Nicola not only saves money but also frees up time by preparing multiple meals at once.
Nicola’s story serves as an inspiration for families facing rising food costs during the current cost of living crisis. Her practical tips demonstrate that with a bit of effort and planning, it is possible to make significant savings on the weekly food shop. By adopting Nicola’s strategies, individuals can take control of their food spending and enjoy delicious, budget-friendly meals for their families.