Tips for budgeting when it comes to the food shop!

• Take a shopping list with you, it'll not only save you from buying items that are not required, but it'll also save you time. 
• Meal Planning - planning is key if you're looking to be more budget friendly when it comes to food expenses. You will meal plan for the week, then write your shopping list and then go to the shop and only buy the items required to make those meals you've planned. Doing this will reduce food waste, save you time and most importantly in the long run save you money. 
• Batch Cooking - batch cooking is a great way to help you save money and time. Double up your qualities of your favourite family meals, freeze the portions away and then when you don't want to cook anything from scratch you can get out these meals let them defrost and enjoy. This also will save money when you haven't got anything planned or anything in the fridge to cook for your meal, to save you buying takeaways - or eating out you can rely on these home cooked meals you've prepped in advance.
• Avoid shopping when you're hungry - things sound and seem so much more appealing when you go shopping hungry, you are tempted by much more and things catch your eye that might not have if you weren't hungry. So make sure you feel satisfied before you head on the food shop!
• Make sure you're looking for the best before dates, before you head into your supermarket check what date it is - and make sure you're looking for produce with the best long lasting dates - this will prevent you having to waste any food due to it going bad. 
• If you find you are wasting lots of fresh goods, such as fruit and veg - look into buying it frozen, this way you won't waste any and it'll last longer. 
• Do a 'stock take' before leaving to go to the supermarket, go through your cupboards and fridge and see what you already have in to prevent you from buying again.