A woman who cooks every meal with reduced yellow sticker items has revealed how she spends just £130 on groceries each month thanks to her thrifty buys.
Ellen, 35-years old, is from the East Midlands and searches for the lowest priced ingredients in the supermarket so she can cook every dish.
This savvy shopper did not have a surname and began shopping frugal a decade ago. She became the primary breadwinner after caring for her disabled husband.
She now spends a total of £130 a month on everything from cleaning products and pet supplies to household items and food, all by shopping for discounted items at the end of the day.
Ellen stated that she feels a little resentful about having to buy bread in the morning and then have to pay the full price, even though I can pay only a small fraction at night.
Ellen, 35, from East Midlands, saves on average £350 annually by raiding the reduced section of the supermarket for bargain ingredients to cook all of her dishes
Over a decade ago, she started frugal shopping. In 2011, her main breadwinner was herself, while her husband struggled to find work due to disability.
Ellen struggled to pay her mortgage bills and was forced to work six to seven hours a day to provide for her family’s main breadwinner.
Her determination was to cut down on the couple’s expenditures.
One of her most memorable bargains is a whole bird for only 89p or a 15p container of milk.
Ellen explained their £130 a month or £32.50 a week budget includes toiletries, cat food and litter as well as cleaning products, food and drink.
According to her, they have kept the same budget for many years. However, purchasing yellow stickers items will allow it to be more.
“It’s a great thrill for me to find a bargain or good deal for us,” she said. [but]This is often done because it’s necessary.
Ellen is always looking for deals in supermarkets, so she finds great savings on all things milk-related (left and right).
Ellen said that frugal shopping inspired her to make new dishes.
Last weekend, Ellen was able to buy bread, chicken and vegetables from Tesco for just £3.68 (pictured left) as well as groceries from Coop for £2.37 (pictured right)
“I started saving money and tips to save because my husband and I only had one income. He has been unemployed or underemployed for many years.
“We are in student debt and have a mortgage. We also need to fight my husband for Personal Independence Payment.
“This means that each penny and every pound matters for us, and I want our money to be spent as wisely and efficiently as possible.”
Last year, she saved over £320 on her food shopping and plans to save even more this year.
And in previous years, including during the pandemic, she saved even more, at £372.45, and hopes for a bigger discount haul in 2022.
According to the frugal shopper, meals that are filling and can be eaten over several days will prove more cost-effective.
This thrifty shopper is also open to new culinary ideas. Last year, I made a lasagna with vegetarian ingredients like aubergines and knock-down mushrooms.
Ellen stated, “I think roasting a chicken is the best and most economical way to cook for our family.”
We then have dinner, with leftover chicken that we can use for sandwiches, salads, or to make coronation chicken filler.
“I clean, chop, freeze and place the bones in freezer. Then, when there is enough, I make stock for chicken soup.
Ellen (pictured), advised those who want to cut costs to purchase items that can be used for multiple meals.
Ellen said that roasting dinner is economical because the leftover meat can be used to make sandwiches, salads or even pie. (Pictured : Reduced sticker food)
Potatoes can also be used as a filler, because they are cheap, nutritious and versatile.
Ellen explained the key to keeping costs low is to buy items that can be used in multiple meals – and not buying goods on a whim just because they are reduced.
She recommends shopping at specific times in the supermarket and freezing bargain purchases.
She stated, “When bread and other baked goods are markedly reduced in price, I purchase two to three of them so that I can freeze them.”
‘Some of my biggest savings have been three packs of butter, full price £5.85, instead I paid £1.47.
Ellen explained the key to keeping costs low is to buy items that can be used in multiple meals – and not buying goods on a whim just because they are reduced (pictured)
To store food for longer periods of time, the savvy shopper recommended making full use the freezer (right and left).
‘I bought two packs of £8 chicken skewers for £2. I’ve managed to get a pork joint for £1.50 and a packet of spinach for 24p.’
“I don’t want to buy something that I don’t know or doubt we can use.”
Ellen is also a Co-op member, which gives her the opportunity to use coupons for even better deals.
And to save even more money, she sometimes buys seasonal goods – such as for Halloween or Christmas – once the holiday is over, because the items are often much cheaper.
She shared that she saved money by purchasing a beautifully themed cake for her husband’s birthday two months in advance.
“There’s no way that we could afford the full-price birthday cake.”
It has been a big help in her day to day life with her husband.
She explained that saving means we are able live well on a limited budget and still be able buy the things that would otherwise have been out of our reach.
“It allows us to spend more money on things that we really need, and reduce our debt.
While she was still at it, her family and friends were amazed by her deals.
She said: ‘Reactions from family and friends is positive.
Ellen shared how she is ‘often chuffed’ that she found a great deal in the supermarket. She will also share photos with her friends to show them her shop.
‘They are chuffed I find a bargain – and I often send a picture to the family chat or to my friends to show them my latest finds.
“It’s also a benefit to them because I can find something in excess that they will use, or will keep, and I will purchase it for them.”
‘My husband likes my finds and is amazed by how much money I can save doing it – though he says (and I agree) that I am more than a little bit obsessed with yellow stickers and getting a bargain.’
She suggests that those looking to lower their food bills visit certain times, and then freeze the shops.
“It is well worth it, but you must be organized.
Ellen stated that yellow stickers have allowed her to buy things normally out of the couple’s budget.
“Look at the products that are available for a reduced price and think of what you could make from the food that you buy.
“Lots and lots of food freeze well. You can also save money by purchasing reduced foods and then freezing them.
“Find out the times that the local stores reduce their stock and the best time to do it.
“Also, find out in which part of the store these reductions are located.
Ellen stated that they have used their savings for other purposes and were able to reduce their debt. Coop offers reduced foods