by Ellen Page

Created on: June 18, 2010   Last Updated: November 04, 2010

Being organised and prepared can save you money and time when you do your shopping. Food is becoming more expensive, however, a healthy nutritious diet is still needed, you don't need to eat less, you just need to plan ahead. By planning your shopping you will only buy the food you need and no extras. Try to do a big shop once a week to save trips back and forth to the supermarket and local shops where you will be tempted to buy more than you need. Eat before you shop, if you shop while you are hungry you are more likely to buy more.

• Make a list

Write a meal planner; if you plan your meals for the week, and make a list of the food that you need and stick to it, you will save money. List the staples that you have run out of, or are running low on to avoid an extra mid-week shop, as well as the food you need for your upcoming meals. This will reduce the cost of your shopping greatly, as you will only be buying what you need, and the food will not go wasted if you have your meals planned.

• Food

Buy fresh food, and buy non-perishable items that you can use in bulk, if it is cheaper and something you use on a regular basis then make the most of any good deals.  Buying larger packs of food is usually cheaper, but not always, so check what the best value is for you. Buy fruit and vegetables in season, as they will be cheaper and taste more flavorful. Frozen fruit and vegetables are good to keep in, as they can be used towards the end of the week when your supplies have run out, so you will still have healthy food. Processed and ready made meals are unhealthy and cost more than buying ingredients and making it yourself. Don't buy jars of cooking sauce and ready made meals, this is expensive, instead look on-line for simple recipes to make your own sauces and meals. You can save a lot by making your own.

• Cleaning products

Don't buy those expensive branded cleaning products, go for natural cleaning products, as these are generally cheaper. A lot of supermarkets have their own range of natural cleaning products; not only will these save you money, but they are kinder to your skin and the environment. If you want to really save yourself some money, then use natural products that you can find in your food cupboard, such as vinegar and lemon; also tea tree is very good for cleaning. These are effective and they can be used to clean your kitchen counters, windows, and even your bathroom;

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