IT MAY be cold, dark and dull but at least we won't be saving a few pennies with these tips from food blogger Jack Monroe.FOODIE: Blogger Jack is a whizz in the kitchen [PH]
According to Jack, a fiver can go a long way and she's willing to prove it by creating five unique recipes - and a cheeky extra one - which all cost less than £5 to make.
UK Groupon customers can even bag a bargain meal made by the author of A Girl Called Jack.
The recipes will be available for download exclusively on Groupon from January 20 until January 27, and include ideas for main meals and desserts, with hearty yet cost effective recipes.
Jack’s recipes include a tinned pear turnover, a kale, barley and cumin soup, a spicy Dal Makhani Indian dish, soda bread and a brown bread ice cream and pulsed cauli tabbouleh.
The recipes can be downloaded as part of a £5 donation to Oxfam, made through the to watch Jack talking about the cool collaboration.
Here, the blogger shares her 10 top tips for a cheaper supermarket shop.
BLOGGER: Bag a bargain with Jack's easy money-saving tips [PH]
Doing a weekly meal plan before you hit the shops means you'll spend less, and avoid 'popping into the shops' during the week to pick up a couple of things and end up spending £20.
2. Change the way you shop
Supermarkets are designed to make us spend more, with more expensive items laid out at the beginning of the shop, and generally at eye level.
Try shopping 'back to front', and looking up and down in the aisles to avoid buying the most expensive items.
3. Eat seasonally
Buying produce 'in season' generally means it's cheaper and tastes its best.
4. Left overs
Don't throw out leftover food, try and incorporate left overs into your meal plan and you can avoid wastage.
5. Eye for a deal
Always look out for BOGOFs and deals.
I will always check Groupon before I book a meal out or a day trip with the family to see if I can save some cash.
TASTY: Jack's Five for Five campaign is worth a try for a taste of one of her delicious recipes [PH]
These should be your new best friends, a great source of protein and so much cheaper than meat and fish.
7. Shop around
Many people remain loyal to the shops they've been going to for years, even when the prices keep creeping up.
Shop around in places you don't usually shop.
I recently discovered that Groupon sells everything from loo rolls to washing powder, so regularly check out the website for the latest deals.
8. Portion sizes
Don't dish up more than necessary, you'll end up wasting food.
9. Budget for the month
Work out how much disposable income you have for the month, then break it down into weeks.
By having that figure in your head, you will be more realistic about your spending week on week, and not be left scraping by in the final week of the month.
10. Walk more
Cut down on car or public transport journeys where possible, you will see more of your city, get fit and save money.
