Prices in the UK are not too high, especially for dairy laundry products, meat products, desserts, and snacks.
However, in line with the concept of “save and spend“, money-saving when buying the necessities of life is available. Then we spend them on other recreational activities or professional studies.
So, how do you get the best value for your money? This article provides a few tips on how to save money when shopping in the UK.
| Student Discount
Many shopping centres and boutiques in the UK offer student discounts, especially for clothes, accessories and cosmetics. However, most of the cashiers will not offer you discounts.
Therefore, we can be more careful and ask, “Do you offer a student discount?” when checking out.
If the answer is yes, we need to show our valid student ID (BRP card is usually not recognised), and then we can get a discount.
| Meal Deal
Unlike Tesco finest, the regular meal deal only includes mains, snacks and drinks, and the portion size is only enough for one person.
Here’s an example of a meal deal:
First up, the main sandwich.
Next up was the side dish, sushi.
And finally, the drink juice.
As you can see in the picture, the retail price of the food in the package is not that low if you split it up and sell it individually. For example, the main sandwich costs £2.75.
But if you buy all three in one go as part of the package, the total selling price is only £3.50. That’s a lot of money saved.
The options within the package are not fixed. As long as the items are on the meal deal shelves, you can mix and match them freely.
However, you have to check the label of the deal when you buy it.
| Supermarket Discounts
Supermarkets in the UK offer a variety of discounts almost all year round. The two most common are “3 for 2” and “X for X pounds”.
3 for 2″ means “three items for the price of two”.
You can usually find such a sticker on a product’s packaging or the shelf.
People don’t have to be limited to buying several pieces of the same item simultaneously.
People can combine items with the same discount sticker as long as they are labelled.
The final number of pieces is enough to get the discount.
| Membership Cards
Membership cards are a great way to save money. You can get a membership card for every shop or supermarket you frequent and you won’t lose money.
Here’s a picture of a few examples of department stores and supermarkets across the UK:
1. M&S
M&S is a high-end supermarket. If you use a membership card to shop, you can earn points every time you spend.
The points can be used against money, so you can save a lot of money by saving them for a more extended period and then using them all at once.
Membership card registration site:
https://www.marksandspencer.com/c/creditcard#intid=gnav_Bank_CreditCard_rewardplus_bank
2. Sainsbury’s
The Sainsbury’s membership card is not just for use at the supermarket.
It can also be used at eBay, Esso and other company-owned properties, making it a versatile card that is never wasted.
Membership card registration site:
3. Tesco
Clubcard, in the form of a card, an app and a “key fob“:
Note: Only ever seen Tesco offer a key fob that can be strung on a key ring and carried.
Most companies have app versions of their membership cards though.
If you find it too much of a hassle to carry a bunch of cards around with you, downloading the app would be a very good option.
♦Like M&S, most membership cards use a points system. Each time you use your card, you earn a certain number of points depending on how much you spend.
♦A certain number of points can then be converted into vouchers.
♦Let’s say you’ve saved up to 250 points on your Clubcard. Then it’s worth £2.50 in real money.
♦That’s the equivalent of getting a free pork box with a particular purchase.
| Checkout Method
Shopping with cash is still a common way of shopping in the UK.
Two of the more common ways to pay by card or code in the UK：
- The traditional manual checkout. You put the items on the track and wait for the cashier to scan the code piece by piece and finally pay.
- The second is to go to a self-service cash register, scan the code yourself and then pay.
| FAQs of Money-saving In The UK
Q1: Is saving money on a tight budget possible in the UK?
On a tight budget, most people in the UK employ various strategies to save money. Simple changes such as cutting unnecessary expenses, buying in bulk or during sales, and using discount codes can make a significant difference.
Q2: What are some money-saving tips for students in the UK?
Many students in the UK save money by taking advantage of student discounts, buying second-hand books, cooking at home, and utilizing public transportation or cycling instead of owning a car.
Q3: Are there any effective apps or websites that can help me save money in the UK?
Numerous apps and websites can help you save money in the UK. Some popular ones include Groupon for discounts on goods and services, Skyscanner for cheap flight bookings, and Money Dashboard for budgeting and tracking your spending.
Q4: How can I save on utilities in the UK?
Switching suppliers can often lead to significant savings on utility bills. You can also save by using energy-efficient appliances, insulating your home, and being mindful of your energy usage.
Q5: What practical ways to save on groceries in the UK?
Shopping at budget supermarkets, using loyalty cards, buying own-brand products, and planning meals are effective ways to save on groceries in the UK.
