Avoid middle aisles and subscribe to catalogues: Mum gives top tips on how to save THOUSANDS on food shopping each year
Check out the food blogger's five tips on how to live well for less
A SAVVY mum has revealed five ways to cut the cost of your weekly shopping bill - and it doesn't involve missing out on your favourite treats.
and author Amanda Voisey, 33, claims strategic cooking and planning can dramatically reduce your outgoings each month.
Here are her top tips to save pennies:
Stop shopping every seven days
Amanda says people should stop shopping every seven days and can do this by taking a flexible approach to meal times.
She told : "If you only shop every eight or even nine days, that's one fewer shop each month.
"Not only does this save you precious money you usually wouldn't even think about, but it also prompts you to shop your fridge, freezer and pantry before you go to the supermarket."
It is also worth subscribing to supermarket catalogues to receive discount vouchers and information about good offers.
Have a leftover night
The mum of sons Rhylee, six, and Liam, five, holds a weekly leftover night where the family finishes off dishes made earlier in the week.
Amanda said: "On leftover night not everyone eats the same food.
"There's a little bit of everything and everyone can pick and choose.
"If you literally have nothing left over from your previous meals from the week, there's also nothing wrong with having eggs on toast one night."
This tactic means parents have a night free of cooking and it helps make food last for longer, taking you from seven days without a supermarket shop to eight or nine.
Check your stocks before shopping and avoid rigid meal plans
It sounds obvious but if you're in a rush it's easy to forget what food you already have at home and doubling up on fresh foods is likely to lead to waste.
Check your freezer, fridge and cupboards before dashing out to avoid this - but beware of over-planning.
Amanda said: "I think meal plans are often too rigid and allow for zero flexibility.
"I make from my pantry and do a mini stock take every time I cook a meal. For me, this is a great way to save."
Shop alone and avoid items you don't really need
Do you plan your route around the supermarket? Perhaps you should as its layout could tempt you to buy pricey items that you don't really need.
"Shop in the order of fruit, veg, meat and then dairy," she said.
"And avoid the middle aisles that are filled with pre-packaged foods as much as possible.
"It also helps to shop seasonally. Seasonal foods are lowest in price, and nutritionally good for your family."
Amanda also suggests venturing into the supermarket alone so partners and children can't distract you or plonk random items into your trolley.
The nifty mum also stocks up on items such as cleaning products and toiletries when they're on sale.
But Amanda recommends only snapping up buy-one-get-one-free deals if the items are long lasting.
She said: "If it's shampoo, or something your meant to buy and know you can store away to use in the future, then by all means, buy two of them.
"If, however, there's a deal on two kilos of carrots instead of one, but you know you won't eat two in the week, then leave it."
Bake your own treats instead of buying cakes
Amanda's final money-saving tip is to bake your own cakes instead of purchasing them - not only are homemade goods better for your youngsters, they are cheaper too... and often taste better.