If you’re trying to keep the food shop under control without living on beans on toast, you’re in the right place. These are my real, tried-and-tested money saving tips for families — the tricks I’ve picked up over years of budgeting, shopping and cooking for a household that still needs to eat well.
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My Top Money Saving Tips for Families
Over the last few years we’ve had to budget hard as a family, so it’s fair to say I’ve picked up a good few tricks for keeping our food costs down. Hopefully some of these will help you save money too.
#Tip 1: Eat Less Meat
Meat can be expensive
It’s no secret that meat is one of the most expensive parts of your grocery budget. If you want free-range or organic meat, you’ll pay a premium for it. And if, like me, that’s not always an option, you’ll know that finding good-value Irish meat can still be tricky.
I’m not suggesting you buy anything other than Irish meat — just that it pays to shop around, whether that’s in the supermarket or a local butcher.
If your family are dedicated carnivores, this might feel difficult at first. A gentle way in is to cut back to eating meat at just one meal a day — so no meat at breakfast or lunch, for example in sandwiches or wraps.
Try alternative proteins
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The actual amount of protein humans need is relatively low compared to the portion sizes of meat most of us are used to. Take an average chicken breast — that alone can easily provide enough protein for two adults.
There are plenty of alternatives to meat for lunch or breakfast: eggs, cheese, fish, beans, pulses and lentils all count.
Change the way you shop for meat
It’s also worth rethinking how you buy meat in the first place. Instead of buying individual pieces for each meal, plan loosely and buy cuts that will stretch across at least two meals.
A whole medium chicken, roasted, becomes one family dinner — then you can pick the leftover meat, make stock, and turn it into a nourishing chicken noodle soup, savoury muffins, or a cold salad the next day.
By feeding the family twice from one purchase, you get real value along with great nourishment from a single chicken.
A piece of ham can work the same way: a main meal first, then perhaps a ham hock terrine, or a pea and ham soup made from the stock. You can even keep a few slices back for anyone who fancies a ham sandwich.
I’m a big believer in keeping it simple. There’s no need to overcomplicate your food or your budget — wholesome, homecooked meals on a budget are within reach. With just one chicken and one piece of ham, you can feed your family four dinners across the week, and buying your meat this way also cuts down on food waste. What’s not to love?
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#Tip 2: Be Prepared with Essential Equipment
How prepared are you for going shopping — really? Here’s some shopping kit you may already be using, and a few things you might not have thought of.
Storage Clips
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These little plastic clips are worth far more than you pay for them. From holding freezer bags of sweetcorn or peas closed, to keeping bags of sugar or cereal sealed tight, storage clips are a great investment. Using them on every open packet cuts down on waste from spills and helps food last longer. In a pinch, a hairgrip does the job too.
Positives: Cheap to buy, easily replaced.
Negatives: Fiddly to use, not ideal if you have arthritis in your hands.
Resealable Jars/Containers
Heavy “kilner” style jars wash well and are great for jams, chutneys and preserves, or for storing dried goods. They can be pricey to buy in bulk, so build up your collection gradually — a jar a week, alongside a packet of storage clips to start.
Positives: Good for sterilising, durable, and useful if you’re worried about pests over winter — they’re impossible to get into.
Negatives: Can be expensive to buy, glass can break, and jars need thorough cleaning and drying to avoid a stale smell.
Sandwich/Freezer Bags
Not just for sandwiches — freezer bags are always on my shopping list. I bulk-buy meat and portion it into meal-sized amounts before freezing. They’re also handy for spare egg whites (perfect for macarons later), and a thick freezer bag can double as a disposable piping bag in a pinch.
Positives: Cheap to buy, handy around the house.
Negatives: Flimsy bags can crack in the freezer, and they’re not very eco-friendly, so choose carefully.
Shopping Bags
Bring your own bags when shopping. If you get caught out and have to buy a roll of bags at the till, chances are they’ll split before you get home — and you risk damaged shopping too. A stash of cotton washable bags, plus a few strong laminated woven ones, goes a long way.
Positives: Saves money over time, better for the environment.
Negatives: You have to remember to bring them.
Money, i.e. Cash
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Yes, you need money to go shopping — but do you bring cash?
With cards, it’s easy to pay for a bigger bill than you intended. It’s much harder to stick to a budget when you don’t have a fixed amount decided before you start. Taking out your shopping budget in cash beforehand sharpens the mind and keeps you honest.
Positives: Keeps your budget front of mind — you only spend what you have.
Negatives: Can be a little awkward if you go over at the till.
Shopping List
This sounds obvious, but plenty of people go shopping with a list only in their heads — which makes it easy to fall for impulse buys, forget things you actually need, and waste time wandering the aisles. Write your list down before you go, whether that’s on paper or in the notes app on your phone.
Positives: You only buy what you need.
Negatives: Takes a little time before you go.
Extra Shopping Tips
- Where possible, shop alone. Extra people tend to put extra things in the trolley.
- If you do bring the kids, bring along something to keep little ones occupied. Older kids can be challenged to work out price-per-100g as you go, which keeps them busy and away from the treats.
- If you’re on a tight budget, use the calculator on your phone as you shop to keep a running total, so there are no surprises at the checkout.
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#Tip 3: Know What You Have
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This is possibly one of the biggest things you can do to save money on your grocery bill. It takes a little time, so set some aside to do it properly.
Think about it — how can you shop for groceries when you don’t really know what’s already in the cupboard or freezer? Do you have three bags of pasta because it’s the thing you always toss in the trolley out of habit? More than one bottle of washing-up liquid under the sink?
For years, I’d unpack the shopping and find things we already had plenty of — because nobody had actually checked. The first time I did a proper stocktake under our sink, I found more than ten of some items we didn’t need. If we hadn’t bought duplicates we didn’t need over a run of shopping trips, we’d have saved a meaningful amount over time — money that could easily cover a family outing, a fortnight’s meat budget, or new shoes for one of the kids.
I tend to do a stocktake once a month to stay on track, but even doing it a few times a year will save money and cut food waste. Make it a family task rather than a chore — it’s a great way for kids to practise writing and number skills, and you can let them choose dinner from what’s already in the cupboards once you’re done.
Once you know what you have, it’s much easier to work out what you actually need.
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#Tip 4: Don’t Be Duped
Know Your Nose
Ever noticed the smell of freshly baked bread pulling you into a supermarket, only to find the bread section tucked at the back of the store? That’s a well-known trick to draw you in on the promise of something fresh. If you shop hungry, you’re far more likely to fill your trolley with impulse buys along the way.
Eat a decent meal before you shop — it’s much harder to tempt a full stomach. Some supermarkets even pipe the scent of roasting meat near the deli counter, so stay aware of scents generally, not just baking bread.
Watch The Bottom Line
The small print on the price ticket, usually below the item price, tells you the price per kilogram, per gram, or per unit — the real way to judge value for money. It’s easy to assume a bigger pack is always cheaper, but that isn’t always true. Checking the unit price is the only reliable way to know for sure.
End of Aisle Shouldn’t Always Be Your Style
End-of-aisle displays and big, bold price stickers are designed to catch your eye and encourage bulk buying — but they aren’t always the best value. It’s worth stepping away from the display and checking the item’s regular shelf price and unit cost before deciding.
Yellow Sticker Doesn’t Always Mean Great Value
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Yellow reduced-price stickers can be a handy way to cut your grocery bill, but supermarkets also use them simply to draw attention to certain items. A yellow sticker doesn’t automatically mean it’s a bargain — check the unit price before you commit.
Bulk Buy Carefully
I do bulk buy, but only when:
- I can afford it.
- I have the storage space.
- I know we’ll actually use it.
- It will keep well.
Nappies on special offer, for example, are always worth stocking up on. A dozen fresh pineapples on special, on the other hand, are not — not if your family will only get through one a week.
#Tip 5: Loyalty Schemes and Bargain Hunting
Couponing hasn’t taken off in Ireland the way it has in the US, and it’s rare to get an item for less than half the recommended retail price — and usually only one at a time. Most Irish homes also aren’t built with pantry or larder storage in mind, so stockpiling on a large scale isn’t realistic for many families. If storage is tight, even a small reclaimed space — a shelf under the stairs, the back of a cupboard — can make a difference.
Loyalty schemes are the more realistic option for most Irish families. Supermarkets such as Tesco and Dunnes Stores run loyalty programmes that build up points or offers over time, which can translate into real savings if you shop with them regularly. It’s worth signing up if you shop at one store consistently.
Beyond that, there are online communities and deal-sharing sites where Irish shoppers swap information on discounts and price drops. These come and go, so it’s worth doing a quick search for what’s active and well-reviewed at the time you’re looking, rather than relying on a fixed list.
All household budgeting tips were provided by Caitriona from Wholesome Ireland.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the single easiest way to start saving money on food shopping?
Start with a proper stocktake of what you already have. Knowing what’s in your cupboards and freezer stops you buying duplicates and helps you plan meals around what you’ve already paid for.
Do I need to cut meat out completely to save money?
Not at all. Cutting back to one meat-based meal a day, choosing cuts that stretch across two or more meals, and using proteins like eggs, beans and lentils for other meals can make a real difference without giving meat up entirely.
Are yellow sticker and end-of-aisle deals always worth buying?
Not always. Both are designed to catch your attention, but they don’t guarantee the best price. Checking the unit price (cost per kg, per unit, and so on) on the shelf ticket is the most reliable way to judge real value.
Is couponing worth doing in Ireland?
It’s less established here than in the US, and large discounts on single items are uncommon. Supermarket loyalty schemes tend to offer more consistent savings for Irish families than couponing does.
Related Articles
- 18 Simple and Effective Ways to Budget and Save as a Family
- How to Make Three Budget-Friendly Dinners Out of One Meal
- 21 Proven Tips and Tricks to Cut Your Food Bill in Half
- 10 Top Tips on How To Feed Your Family for Less
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