How I Saved 50% On My Food Shopping Bills

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 17 июл 2024
  • I'm really pleased to be sharing with you some of the ways I have managed to cut my food bills or grocery bills in half over the last year. These are all pretty simple, but added together and utilised consistently they really do help you save a considerable amount of money!
    Over the last year I have been aiming to save as much money as I possibly could, and after I had set a no buy in place then I turned my attention to the one thing I was allowed to buy - food. I used to be pretty careless with my spending in this area, blaming lack of time, but pretty quickly I realised I had been wasting so much money and through implementing the tips in this video I managed to save 50% on my grocery shopping.
    I know a lot of you may have joined me for makeup related content from my early days on RUclips, and therefore my current content may not be exactly what you hoped for from me, so I am trying to think of ways I can incorporate maybe elements of that into my current content behind the scenes right now.
    As RUclips is not my job, the content I create is often a reflection of what is going on in my life whilst trying to offer some sort of value a viewer can take from the content - and right now I'm very passionate about saving and reaching my financial goals, when I buy a house I will probably have some house/decorating content in and amongst personal finance videos, when I FINALLY declutter my wardrobe I'm sure there will be elements of fashion involved as I navigate my changing style as I get older etc - I hope that makes sense and I do hope you will stick around, but I understand if you find the channel might not be for you now I no longer talk solely about makeup.
    Over the last few years, I've come to the realisation that whilst a certain level of material things do add to your life, more stuff will not necessarily make you happier. This realisation hit me when I looked around my home that was filled with stuff (so much so I felt I needed a bigger house) and couldn't say I was particularly happier than when I lived in Spain (in 2008) when everything I had with me fit in one large drawer and a very small wardrobe.
    These days I prefer to adopt a buy less, buy better approach, with a focus on quality over quantity, removing the clutter, and utilising my money in the best way possible.
    WHERE ELSE TO FIND ME:
    Instagram - / kirstyloukirby
    Blog - www.kirstykirby.com
    MAKE UP WORN:
    ABH Modern Renaissance Palette
    Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara
    Benefit Brow Powder
    Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
    Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
    Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
    Nude By Nature Sheer Light Illuminator
    MAC SkinFinish in Medium Deep (As Bronzer)
    MAC Blush in Mocha
    Gosh Lipliner in Anemone
    MAC Lipstick in Faux
    NAILS:
    Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish in Particulere
    LIGHTING:
    I use natural light (i.e. I sit in front of a window) supported by a ring light on darker days.
    DISCLAIMER:
    All products were purchased with my own money and this video is in no way sponsored. Should a video ever be sponsored, or should I receive goods for free to review I will always aim to disclose this either in the video or in the video description. My views will always remain honest and my own.
    Items marked with an asterisk were received as a gift or as PR.
    I do sometimes use affiliate links in my description, these links do not cost you any more to purchase, often you will receive a discount, but I may earn money from these links.

Комментарии • 169

  • @Veromoi4
    @Veromoi4 2 года назад +71

    I really like you! You’re helping me out a lot. I want to start making changes. I’m a little over a year sober from alcohol and now that I have clarity, there’s so many things I no longer want to do anymore. I want to be better and have more financial security

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +6

      Oh wow congratulations Olivia, one year sober is awesome! 😊

    • @MyLifeInDebt
      @MyLifeInDebt 2 года назад +5

      Congratulations!🎊

    • @rosaliesemrau1293
      @rosaliesemrau1293 Год назад +1

      That's awesome. You'll be such a inspiration to people that know you before and now.

  • @hopeinparis
    @hopeinparis 2 года назад +29

    Great video - thank you!! It inspired me to make my own list, using your tips and adding more:
    20 ways to save money on food costs (and maybe lose weight in the bargain) without sacrifice:
    1. Switch to a lower cost grocery store.
    2. Cook from scratch instead of getting carry out or convenience foods.
    3. Batch cook.
    4. Have a few go-to, inexpensive, enjoyable meals.
    5. Buy more vegetables.
    6. Buy less meat.
    7. Decrease coffee consumption - reduce or eliminate take-out fancy coffee.
    8. Eliminate cookies and sweets.
    9. Reduce or eliminate high-cost, luxury items.
    10. Shop less frequently.
    11. Eat seasonally and/or locally.
    12. Buy non-perishables from loose bins.
    13. Use up what you buy.
    14. Don’t shop when you’re hungry.
    15. Make a list and stick to it; don’t impulse buy.
    16. Drink water, not wine, soda or juice.
    17. Eliminate junk food like snacks and crisps.
    18. Don’t buy products in plastic packaging.
    19. Buy in bulk when it makes sense.
    20. Plan meals and be organized to avoid last-minute convenient or carry-out purchases.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +3

      If these work for you that’s awesome 😊 Weirdly I find loose veg is often more expensive per kg than packaged, very annoying but something to check - unless of course the primary driver is to reduce plastic rather than cost, then it’s a different evaluation altogether.

  • @JohnMurphy71
    @JohnMurphy71 2 года назад +15

    Hi Kirsten… I’ve just finished enjoying a second video from you this evening very well done and motivating. Thank you! Twenty two years ago I bought a 100 year old log cabin that needed a lot of work along with 45 acres of pasture and woodlands. Today that has grown to 280 acres, the cabin went through a major renovation and is very modern on the inside but historic on the outside. Your advice aligned with mine. The nearest grocery store is 14 miles away and over the years I found I was buying too much stuff: food; much going to waste because I thought I would need it but didn’t. I was also buying items that I already had but wanted the latest contractions. Like you, I’ve reduced my grocery trips to once a week combining them with cattle, chicken feed, horse grains and minerals from my local feed store. I rarely turn on my HVAC systems but enjoy getting out with my chain saws and log splitter giving me all the firewood for the next winter. I find that I don’t need the streaming services like Netflix and cable TV anymore; I try to limit those services I don’t use, they’re is so much content on U-tube I don’t need any additional media.
    My farm is surrounded on three sides by the Madison County Wildlife Management Area that has 15,000 acres. Like many of us I worry about global politics and the scary proposition of potential nuclear war. My middle son is a farmer on the Big Island of Hawaii growing Kona Coffee, Cacao, bananas, mangoes, papaya along with a large organic vegetable garden. I have another son living in Sarasota, FL working as a gamer for a large software company. My oldest son is a wine consultant. I worry about our world hoping it’ll be a pleasant place to live and thrive.
    Thank you for listening!
    Cheers! John Murphy, keep up your great videos! They are certainly helping me.

  • @KirstyKirby
    @KirstyKirby  3 года назад +17

    Before anyone comes for me I know the G in Bolognese should be silent - I'm sure other creators are the same when making videos, you watch them back and think why did I do that?! They bring out the weirdo in us all lol!

  • @helenebezencon8906
    @helenebezencon8906 Год назад +3

    On this video I agree completely. Thank you !
    One thing I have the privilege of having is a small vegetable garden (about 30 m2) and it produces twice the vegetables and berries I eat in a year (I give the other half to a food bank). Then I cook like you say, in batches, sometimes even in very big quantities if the garden can't wait.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  Год назад

      Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts Helene x

  • @rruth82
    @rruth82 2 года назад +43

    I've been binge watching your videos this week after needing some de clutter inspiration and you truly have done that for me! Thank you. I've unsubscribed from haul video channels and beauty boxes I have so much stuff and it's overwhelming and I don't need it! I hope you make more videos soon but if not the ones you have posted are very helpful and inspiring! ❤

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +4

      Thanks for such a lovely comment Ruth - I will be back, I've been quiet as I finally reached my goal of buying my own home! It's been a bit of a whirlwind so whilst I had the best of intentions to document the journey, it just didn't work out that way. I've also struggled through the Covid era, but hoping to throw myself back into making videos to help me. But yes, I found the beauty haul videos were a catalyst to my spending many many months ago, I cant think of the last time I watched one. I have lots of very nice makeup now and really don't need anything else until things run out.

    • @listhashrestha9953
      @listhashrestha9953 2 года назад +3

      @@KirstyKirby I’m so excited to have have found this reply. Was genuinely sad when I went to your channel and realised it’s been a while since you posted. Found your channel recently and it’s really made me reflect more on my money habits as someone in my early 20’s. Thank you!! Also I love your energy so much, it’s just chill and comforting.

  • @ddraigmafon4725
    @ddraigmafon4725 2 года назад +1

    What a great channel. I love that your tips are just simple, down to earth stuff that we all can do, a lot of stuff we all know about but need reminding to do!

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +1

      Thanks for watching and for such kind comments! X

  • @CIST3
    @CIST3 2 года назад +5

    One of the things that I enjoy doing during these lean times is to enjoy simple meals that are comforting like chips and egg or rice and beans with a little chicken. I have a small family and two chicken breast’s are really enough for two meals. Your suggestions are very good. Prepping meals during the week is very helpful to eat healthier and cut spending. Sometimes we also have breakfast for dinner. It’s less expensive and we still enjoy some of our favorites.

  • @rebeccahf7124
    @rebeccahf7124 3 года назад +41

    'Don't shop when you are hungry' makes the biggest difference! I always end up buying way more unhealthy food, and more food in general. Then I get home and eat, and I'm like... why do I have all this extra stuff?

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад +2

      Ha ha this is so relatable! If I go when I'm ravenous I get home and look at the shopping and think you know this is all junk, why on earth did you buy it? But then I don't want to throw it away because that feels wasteful, so I eat it and then feel a bit rubbish from eating said junk!

  • @cpirtle
    @cpirtle 2 года назад +22

    Yes, shopping weekly definitely helps a lot. I also switched to buying groceries online and do curbside pick up so I am not walking around tempted to impulse buy things. I only purchase the items I need.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +1

      It really does! Good tip - especially when so many supermarkets etc have much more than just food these days, I’ve often bought all manner of things on a whim in the past when doing a good shop.

    • @hopeup2792
      @hopeup2792 Год назад

      the only problem with that is I have done it and hate the produce they pick out for me. I will get the largest green pepper etc. and they send me a tiny one. The rest is a great idea. Maybe I can agree to only go in the produce section when I pickup my other groceries.

  • @EmilyDowgialo
    @EmilyDowgialo 3 года назад +10

    Incredible job on your savings!! Love to see it!

  • @debbiestott3651
    @debbiestott3651 2 года назад +3

    Love the video. I started buying fewer items and am now able to afford better quality food. It's a game changer. I was telling my daughter about your chanel.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +3

      Absolutely! I could possibly have saved more money, but I’m not interested in saving money at all costs - more in using it in the best way possible to be able to buy really good quality items be that food, bubble bath or a dress ☺️

  • @Holistretch
    @Holistretch 2 года назад +1

    Wow great video!! I love your clarity and confidence. These topics are exactly what I need to start prepping to be married and have a family. Thank You!!! 🙏🏼💓

  • @Yasamin-zn4pu
    @Yasamin-zn4pu 3 года назад +2

    Thanks Kirsty, really useful tips, look forward to more of our tips and suggestions!

  • @Mira83hm
    @Mira83hm 2 года назад +4

    It's very refreshing to listen to you, I mean you are from the UK, and your English as we say music to my ears. I love American English too, but I left my heart in your country I guess :) great tips, greetings from Hungary

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +1

      Ahhh that’s very sweet! Hope you get to visit the U.K. soon!

  • @jennpd7346
    @jennpd7346 2 года назад

    Love all your videos! Thank you for taking time and sharing your experiences and tips. I will definitely be cooking more and more from scratch. :)

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      Thanks so much for watching Jenn! X

  • @anja-alice4317
    @anja-alice4317 4 месяца назад

    Dear Kirsty, THANKS A LOT for this video! It would be wonderful, if more people would consume so smart like you do. I am really impressed. Please post more of your experiences here.

  • @chrisw1090
    @chrisw1090 2 года назад +2

    I gave up driving, probably about 7-8 years ago and don't really miss it, but there was a huge saving, not only in fuel costs, but more importantly in depreciation, road tax, servicing and costs associated with MOT. I walk locally or cycle if it is a bit further away and as a last option take public transport. Particularly during lockdown and working from home massive amounts of money was draining away on cars sitting on the drive or in the road which weren't being used.
    One of the real killers for the pocket is coffee shops and grab and go on the way to work going somewhere socially. Taking a drink with you which is refillable either cold or hot (in a vacuum flask) can save a fortune.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      Hi Chris, you’re right on the coffee point - I’ve never bought from places like Starbucks and Costa, I just think they are way too expensive and I hate coffee 😂
      Interesting that you’ve made not having a car work for you, I don’t think it would for me personally but I can appreciate it saves money. Im also field based in my job and public transport just isn’t an option at all.

  • @whtvr_clover
    @whtvr_clover 2 года назад +1

    Veggie curries are really warm and filling. My fave! ❤

  • @BasicIW
    @BasicIW 3 года назад +1

    The last tip really hit home with me, haha! Wonderful video! Xoxox

  • @Lilia9323
    @Lilia9323 2 года назад +7

    Thanks for your great tips!
    I have to admit though that I stopped weekly shopping because I’ve always bought too much. Especially with kids I’d like to do day-to-day shopping and see what they like for dinner to make sure it’ll be eaten 😃 but every person and family is different.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +1

      Absolutely, I always say take the tips that will work for you, discard the others. We are all different and our families needs are all different. Thanks for watching 😊

    • @Event_Horizon14
      @Event_Horizon14 2 года назад

      This applies to me 100% even though I live alone. All the times I've tried to do weekly shopping to save money, I always end up overspending and more often than not most of the food I buy will go to waste. I feel knowing I have just this one time to get all my food in, I overestimate how much I'll actually need. Now I mostly shop daily for the same/next day and it's definitely made me more accountable for my food choices.

  • @JM-jd7yp
    @JM-jd7yp Год назад

    Thanks for another great video. I always learn something. Great channel and I wish you well.

  • @shampooTV
    @shampooTV 7 месяцев назад

    Hi, thank you for your tips. also, i really love how delicate your titles are. for example, instead of writing "tips 1: switching supermarkets", you wrote "CONSIDER switching supermarkets", and it changes everything! like an invitation, a real and kind suggestion, not an "advice". i don't know if I express myselft properly, but really, thank you, juste to put CONSIDER changes a lot for me, and sounds so much more delicate than others tips videos on youtube.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  7 месяцев назад

      Thank you for such a lovely comment 😊

  • @veronicwbrennan4002
    @veronicwbrennan4002 Год назад

    During the pandemic and classed as vulnerable I food shopped online. This stopped me impulse buying .I also decided on what I was going to eat and planned my meals for the week. I really enjoyed this process. I was amazed at how much money I saved and importantly too how little I threw away.
    Now even though we are free to shop where and when we want it has changed me. I rarely set foot in a supermarket and hardly ever go to any store only shopping when I need something.
    I don't feel I am missing out at all.

  • @MrCuteEmo
    @MrCuteEmo 2 года назад +2

    Cooking and working from home a great tip to saving .

  • @untallieboyz
    @untallieboyz 4 месяца назад

    Love it!
    Another tip: Always be prepared and make a shopping list so you know what you need! It save you a lot of money and TIME!!! ❤

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  4 месяца назад

      Hi there, I do sometimes have a shopping list given I batch cook, cook from scratch and also recommend looking up seasonal produce prior to shopping. I perhaps thought this was obvious, but my sincere apologies if it wasn't explicit - that said I don't always have a shopping list as if I've planned what I'm cooking I know what I need as I've been making them for some time and know the recipes by heart. If I was trying something new then I'd have a list of course.

  • @olgazueva4992
    @olgazueva4992 2 года назад

    Love your channel! Thanks for sharing!

  • @brendakok7377
    @brendakok7377 2 года назад +1

    You have inspired me. Needed this. Thanks

  • @zoeygould6093
    @zoeygould6093 2 года назад +1

    Great video! One other thing I find helpful is making a shopping list and sticking to the items on that list.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      Thanks for watching Zoey. 😊

  • @kkirsty7905
    @kkirsty7905 3 года назад +10

    My kids don't eat enough fruit. I tried smoothies that didn't work either so I bought ice lolly moulds and they eat them that way. I also noticed with my kids if I make something new and it has a fancy name it's a big no no so I give it a basic name and they eat it. I tend to buy frozen veg a lot found it less waste for us.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад +5

      Oh bless! I think mums (and dads!) have it hard encouraging kids with fruit and veg for sure! Good tip, a lot is flash frozen these days too so keeps good levels of nutrients 😊 x

  • @anniebeanie710
    @anniebeanie710 2 года назад

    When it happens that I have a lot of things in the fridge, I found it helpfull to give a big sticker on with much more visible best before date written by hand (only where it makes sense of course). It also forces me to check what exactly is in the fridge and sort it so we dont forget to eat something before it goes bad. It also makes it very clear to other family members what to eat first. Especially when the date is printed so tiny most people are lazy to bother with checking.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      Thanks for sharing Annie 😊

  • @SabrinaCWB168
    @SabrinaCWB168 2 года назад +4

    Definitely agree about shopping weekly. Idk how it's saved us so much money because it didn't seem like we were buying excessively before. We budget easily now by each putting £25 a week in the pot (separate incomes), and saving the change. More expensive weeks come out of that, and the rest is for holidays 😁 Just this year we've saved about £400 between us.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      It’s so true, I really didn’t think I was spending much before when dropping into the shop regularly, but it really surprised me just how much less I ended up spending just by going once a week and it’s something I will stick with long term.
      Fantastic you’ve managed to save so much with such a simple change!

  • @mariafranciscabertoglio6759
    @mariafranciscabertoglio6759 2 года назад +6

    When I was in college (18 yo) I discovered the benefits of batch cooking. It allowed me to eat much better with the few resources I had. Now I'm 38 and I still do it. My partner loves that we always have home made, nutritious and filling meals ready to eat and he sees that I don't spend that much time in the kitchen (he is allegedly the worst cook so we split duties). My mum always says that I eat too fancy, but when I showed her my spreadsheets she had to eat her words: I spend more than 50% less per person in food than her.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +2

      Thanks so much for sharing! I completely relate, planning meals and batching has meant I have been able to use high quality ingredients without blowing the budget.

    • @lafrapele
      @lafrapele Год назад

      Could you make a list of some meals? Thanks

    • @mariafranciscabertoglio6759
      @mariafranciscabertoglio6759 Год назад +1

      @@lafrapele Stews and legumes are the best for batch cooking!

  • @AtHomeWithMercedes
    @AtHomeWithMercedes 3 года назад

    winter is roast dinner based dinners and summer Jacket potatoes 🙃 both have numerous options to go with 👍🏻 great ideas here I have definitely used these in the past. Xx

  • @pattiupton1499
    @pattiupton1499 2 года назад +1

    I really enjoy your videos!

  • @seanc1898
    @seanc1898 2 года назад

    Great tips! Thanks!

  • @janiec3915
    @janiec3915 Год назад +1

    My husband and I hit the butcher and Farmers market on Sundays after we make a plan of what we will cook during the week. We make a lot of our foods from scratch, such as bread, granola, tortillas, mayonnaise, salad dressings, hummus, etc. It tastes much better and is so much cheaper than the highly processed stuff at the supermarket. Where we live, it's very easy to eat local and support our local farmers. We are close to dairy farms where we get our milk, eggs and cheese. We have great butchers and we are close to many orchards where we can get our seasonal fruits and vegetables, honey and maple syrup. Yes, it costs a bit more, but with just those fresh ingredients and some herbs and spices, you can make delicious meals. Of course we keep staples in our pantry, such as rice, pasta, beans, good quality oils and canned tomatoes for sauce. Years ago I realized when you cut out the processed stuff and snacks, stick to a meal plan and shop your pantry based on your meal plan, you really do save a lot more money. Thanks for the great video!

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  Год назад +1

      Sounds like you live in a lovely area! 😊

  • @mariadeeagwanta
    @mariadeeagwanta 3 года назад +1

    Hi I am also trying to save money and thanks for the good idea you have shared here.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад

      Good luck with your savings Maria! Xx

  • @sharonfarnsworth3325
    @sharonfarnsworth3325 10 месяцев назад

    We used to throw away little dabs of leftovers. Now we add them to whatever we are having from lunch. Of course we eat dinner sized leftovers at dinner time.

  • @AtHomeWithMercedes
    @AtHomeWithMercedes 3 года назад +3

    Don't shop when your hungry!! It's the worst thing to do, I can't help it after work, in the supermarket but I try and only get what is on the list. And meal prep where I can 👍🏻 working 1 main job ans helping in 2 family businesses really takes its told at times xx

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад

      Oh absolutely. I do hope I didn’t come across as holier than thou with talking about cooking from scratch, it does take time, something that isn’t always easy when you are busy with work or a family etc xx

  • @patmartin9727
    @patmartin9727 2 года назад +1

    I use red lentils to. Bulk out beef mince they don’t need to be pre cooked. A kilo of red lentils costs less than a pound and will go into chill, shepherds pie, risotto burgers or meat balls.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +1

      Yes you absolutely can use red lentils, I mentioned green lentils in the video as I prefer the taste of them 😊

  • @shelbychesnut99
    @shelbychesnut99 2 года назад +1

    Also, planning meals and making a list will help.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      Yes I suggest meal planning in the section regarding visiting the store less 😊

  • @kasianowak442
    @kasianowak442 2 года назад +1

    Great & wise content 👍Thank you

  • @sharonfarnsworth3325
    @sharonfarnsworth3325 10 месяцев назад

    Batch cooking is easier to organize in your freezer if you freeze it flat & store on it’s side. Sooo much easier to locate!!

  • @lorettareid4120
    @lorettareid4120 2 года назад +1

    Great...I will say here in the Annapolis valley of Nova Scotia Canada..I shop with a list...mostly sale items and essential...and stick to it

    • @pammoore3447
      @pammoore3447 2 года назад

      I'm in the Valley too! So wish we had 'budget' supermarkets here. Groceries in the UK are considerably cheaper than here. It's become so hard to save on food this year!

  • @DenBank1
    @DenBank1 2 года назад

    I buy sale food items nearing sell by date expiry and cook them immediately and freeze if not eaten right away. I do batch cooking too as dishes develop more flavour after 2 days.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      Yes I used to buy from the reduced section in the supermarket. It used to get fought over though in my local tesco and that wasn’t something I was up for anymore especially during Covid lol. The supermarket I’ve switched to seems to have less bits going to the reduced section although I always check as much can be frozen.

  • @motherof1132
    @motherof1132 2 года назад

    I cook in season produce as well.

  • @hmmm..2733
    @hmmm..2733 Год назад

    Herbs can be very expensive by the ounce … when I need to buy an herb for a specific recipe, I will dry the unused portion in a very low temp oven and store it in a glass jar in my pantry. I find it very helpful to save some glass jars of different sizes.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  Год назад

      I tend to grow my own herbs as they can be expensive to purchase (plus I enjoy tending to them)

  • @kathyc1096
    @kathyc1096 2 года назад +2

    If you write out a menu before you go shopping and buy just what you need for 3 meals a day for a week or two, you’ll be surprised at how little you need to buy. Especially if before you write out the menu you survey what you have on hand and incorporate those items into your meal plan!

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +1

      Hi Kathy I thought I said this in the video? If not then yes I do utilise lists, I wouldn’t be able to batch cook/cook from scratch/meal plan/only shop every 7-14 days if I didn’t utilise a list.

    • @educationalonly2669
      @educationalonly2669 Год назад

      Love the menu idea!

  • @Elemiriel
    @Elemiriel Год назад

    Favorite tip from my mom: be brand flexible and pay more attention to the ingredients and the cost per unit than the pretty package or name on the box!

  • @NoOctopuss
    @NoOctopuss 2 года назад +4

    I loved the tips. Like your staples, I make some dishes I call '5 minute meals' for my really lazy days - stuff like taco bowls and turkey, onion, tomato, and feta. I would, however, like to point out that proteins are not equal. For the nutrition, beef mince is one of the cheapest things you can buy. There's a great video from What I've Learned called "Protein is not protein" that explains it well.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +4

      Hi Caroline, thanks for watching and your comment and I’m sure the references you cite will be helpful to others viewing.
      To clarify though, I really wasn’t suggesting at all that all protein is equal. I apologise if that’s how it comes across. In all honesty in that section of the video when I flippantly said ‘so you’re still getting protein’ the main thing on my mind was trying to avoid discussion in the comments about what diets people should follow or vegan, veggie, paleo etc, or people arguing about carbs vs protein etc. I do completely agree that carbs are not equal, as protein isn’t, I’m in the health/medical industry but it’s not really what I want to cover on my channel because I feel there are lots of fabulous accounts doing that really well and probably more passionate about that subject than me.
      The video wasn’t intended to be dietary advice, merely just explaining how I’ve adapted meals and shopping habits in order to save money. Not sure where you are in the world but here grass fed beef isn’t particularly cheap and I try to buy the highest quality & welfare etc when it comes to meat, so I offset that higher cost by bulking out with additional veg etc. Hope that clarifies things a little better. Thanks again for watching! X

  • @Hcupscalebusinessetiquette
    @Hcupscalebusinessetiquette 2 года назад

    Can you please do an updated video on cutting grocery bills especially with the drastic changes in prices 🌹

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +3

      Good idea. I’d been wondering if I could possibly do a ‘grocery shop’ type video. Will add to the list.

  • @motherof1132
    @motherof1132 2 года назад

    I try not to waste. If I make chicken with veggies. I’ll make a stew and use the veggies. Fast food, even grabbing a coffee when I’m out. Saves money. Veggie meals are so easy because you don’t have to take it out to thaw. I only buy meat when it’s on sale. Then I’ll grab a few hams, for example. I only shop once a week. I like using up what I have.

  • @sivanfaiqmohammed6719
    @sivanfaiqmohammed6719 2 года назад

    I love the idea of substituting meat with veg thanks

  • @teatarot4557
    @teatarot4557 Год назад

    Fab.

  • @barbarakellett8858
    @barbarakellett8858 2 года назад

    There's a new store called the company shop where you just apply for free membership and prices are cheaper than any supermarket x

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      I have a few friends that use the company shop, I don't think its new, I'm sure some of my friends have used it for a few years - its not really my cup of tea as most of it is processed food which I try not to eat (although stock likely is different from area to area), but thanks for sharing Barbara, I'm sure it will be helpful to others if they have one in their area. I might be thinking of a different chain to the one you mention, but the one I know of is not open to everyone, it's open to employees and pension recipients of the NHS, Care and Emergency Services, Prison Service, British Armed Forces, Charity and the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods supply chain x

  • @lenanayashkova
    @lenanayashkova 2 года назад

    I always dream of doing more batch cooking, but actually feels like it's hard with kids - we eat it all😁 I can naver manage to cook a big enough portion to have it as another meal for everyone

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      Ha ha yes I have friends who say similar. I tend to do it say all in one day. A few weekends ago I made 32 portions of soup. Just had the stove on the go most of the day, portioned it up and then froze it. Find it a bit easier to get ahead that way.

  • @rosaliesemrau1293
    @rosaliesemrau1293 Год назад

    Many years ago my dad made $6.50 an hour an lived on soup. You could add a little extra water to stretch it out. Drink water with meals had a 2 acre garden. We bought potatoes and onions in large quantities and got them dirt cheap. Thats what we lived on.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  Год назад

      I’m sorry to hear that Rosalie. That sounds like very difficult times and not ones I would wish on anyone. Living on potato and onion would be detrimental to health outcomes too. I hope things have improved for you and your family now.

  • @fraserbailey6347
    @fraserbailey6347 Год назад

    Even with the recent inflation I eat very well for about 10 pounds per week. And I have done so for years. Loads of meat, fish, fruit, veg, bread etc. I go round all the supermarkets getting the sell-by bargains etc - Lidl sells stuff for 20p. The average cost of one of my meals is probably about 50p. My fridge is full, my freezer is full and, most importantly, my belly is full.

  • @FreedomofSpeech865
    @FreedomofSpeech865 2 года назад +4

    40 lb weight loss 😮 I need more details. Unfortunately I cook all my meals.

  • @madiantin
    @madiantin 2 года назад +1

    This is a really really fabulous and fun video, thank you!
    1. Switch supermarket. Yep. Did that. There are certain things I can't buy at Aldi, but I purchase what I can there.
    2. Try to cook from scratch. I need to do better at this, but I have implemented "cheap food" meals. They are healthier, filling, and don't cost ridiculous amounts of money.
    3. Batch cooking. I've tried this, but it doesn't work for the most part for our family. *Some* things work: spaghetti bolognese, taco meat etc, but not every meal.
    4. Have go-to meals. We sort of fell into this by accident. Not quite sure how it happened, but we have Spaghetti on Sunday, Chicken and veg on Monday, Tacos on Tuesday, something with leftover chicken on Wednesday, Cheap food on Thursday, Pizza (well...the boys have pizza...I have something else) on Friday, and "junk food" (usually hamburgers...but sometimes leftovers or cheap food) on Saturday. Having that regular rotation of food that is fairly simple and inexpensive means I don't have a huge variety of stuff in my pantry and fridge, but there's always something in there to eat, and I'm never left at 5pm wondering what to feed the family. It's really reduced our food bill.
    5. Increase the veg. Definitely need to implement this.
    6. Shop once a week. So helpful. Make a list, go shopping with the list, bring it home and put it away. And you're done. Phew! So nice to not have to go out more often.
    7. Eat seasonally. I'd REALLY love to do this, and have thought about doing it for many years, but honestly don't know where to start. I'm so far from knowledgeable about what fruits and vegetables are in season.
    8. If you buy it, use it. I will from time to time go through my pantry/ fridge/freezer, see what's been there for a while, and design meals around them. If I look at it and I just do not want to eat it, it tells me I shouldn't have bought it in the first place, so I don't purchase it again.
    9. Don't shop when you're hungry. VITAL!! So important! I've messed up so many times by doing this.
    Thanks so much for all the tips!

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +1

      Thanks for your lovely comment Keeley. Where are you in the world, are you in the U.K.? I can send you a link to U.K. seasonal fruit & veg by each month if so.

    • @madiantin
      @madiantin 2 года назад

      @@KirstyKirby I'm in the Southern US, in Tennessee. I'm sure I can hunt around the inter webs and find the info! You can find pretty much anything out there on google. =D Thank you so much for the offer of the link.

  • @anitahendricks
    @anitahendricks Год назад

    🧡

  • @ambergerhelper7852
    @ambergerhelper7852 3 года назад

    Haven’t seen you in awhile- Hope you’re well! ☺️

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад

      That's so sweet of you to ask - yes I'm ok. I've been a bit rubbish at uploading, especially as I said I was going to be consistent with my schedule - however I do have an excuse this time! I'm in the process of (hopefully) buying a house, which I will share on my channel once its all exchanged/completed. My current house is an utter shambles with boxes everywhere in preparation, and more still to pack, so its not really a good environment to film in! I made the decision (rightly or wrongly I'm not sure) to hold off filming until the move. I'll be able to cover that via vlogs for those that are interested and within a short time post move have an area set up to film other content. :) P.S Hope you are well too! xx

    • @ambergerhelper7852
      @ambergerhelper7852 3 года назад

      @@KirstyKirby I’m so happy for you! I understand- we moved a few months ago. ☺️

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад

      @Amberger Helper Thank You! I'm just hoping and praying it all goes through ok, so much can happen in the house buying process that you almost daren't believe it is happening until you to the point of exchange which is why I havent really shared it openly on here. Would be so disappointing to share my excitement and then for it not to happen! Hope you are all settled in your new place 🥰

  • @candlewax5234
    @candlewax5234 2 года назад +1

    When i buy meat i write the use by date on my kitchen calendar, saves throwing away out of date purchases.

  • @luccabetta5238
    @luccabetta5238 2 года назад

    Thanks but I think veges are more expensive because meat whilst it might be more expensive it actually satiates you for much longer on a low carb diet. Fasting takes away hunger too so that’s extremely cheap. I still have a big bowl of salad or veges but maybe once a day. Just sharing different ideas.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      I didn’t say my way was correct, only sharing how I had managed to save money. People can take what may work for them from it, and leave what they don’t.
      I find organic veg far less expensive than organic grass fed meat but this likely changes from country to country and on individual preferences. I had no intention whatsoever of talking about diet, pros and cons of low carb, keto etc in this video. Diet is a subject people are passionate about for multiple reasons and I don’t want to make videos on it, there are lots of videos on different diet already available for those who want such information. I think a lot of viewers would have scoffed if I said I saved money by fasting and not eating too. I have utilised fasting myself in the past but it can encourage disordered eating for some.

  • @robertneville2022
    @robertneville2022 3 месяца назад

    I got rid of my cat
    Add up what you pay a year on food and cat litter and especially vet bills

  • @milda0820
    @milda0820 2 года назад

    💖

  • @magdalenar.354
    @magdalenar.354 2 года назад +1

    I saved a lot of money and time when I started to cook and than freezing half of it

  • @heidihurn9828
    @heidihurn9828 3 года назад +6

    Food has gone up rediculous I try to buy food from Aldi x

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад +2

      I've noticed food prices have increased a lot in the past few years, I'd love to have a garden big enough one day to grow some of my own food to save a bit of money - I can dream!

    • @heidihurn9828
      @heidihurn9828 3 года назад

      @@KirstyKirby an allotment of fruit and veg that would be great I do know of people that do that x

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад

      @@heidihurn9828 Absolutely, its one of the things I've been looking for when house hunting, is there an allotment option nearby if the garden is small. Not sure about your area but around here they have large waiting lists to get a plot though!

  • @americafirst9144
    @americafirst9144 Год назад

    Unfortunately, vegetables are about as expensive as meat now. (Yes, I use sales and coupons.)

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  Год назад

      I filmed this quite some time ago - I've really noticed the increase in cost in vegetables myself, it's become much more challenging to make the savings I used to.

  • @hopeup2792
    @hopeup2792 Год назад

    Meal planning so you only buy what you will use in the week.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  Год назад +1

      Yes I discuss this in the video 😊 Writing a list comes as a step on from the meal planning.

  • @wendy-leemorrissirrom8636
    @wendy-leemorrissirrom8636 2 года назад

    A lot of people r salicylate sensitive. Meaning can’t eat veg.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      Hi Wendy I always say take what works for you from a video and discard the rest. I wasn’t suggesting anyone has to do all these things, simply sharing my experience as someone who can eat the items mentioned.
      The prevalence of salicylate intolerance is far lower than that of gluten or lactose intolerance so I don’t think this video is alienating. Again, if you are salicylate intolerant I feel for you, lots of veg is utterly delicious and such a shame for you to miss out. I think there are still nuggets of useful information in this video that is not directly related to high salicylate foods

  • @MikeLyncheski
    @MikeLyncheski 2 года назад

    I was guessing that you dumped your boyfriend, but your suggestions are good too!

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад +1

      That would probably be easier to be fair!

  • @taresy6789pp
    @taresy6789pp Год назад

    Those who have more restriction against financial accessibility will in return have greater financial freedom

  • @francescakella8424
    @francescakella8424 2 года назад

    This is helpful for someone with their own household but doesn't really work for those only cooking for themselves with little space

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      Hi Francesca do you mean like a student in a shared kitchen?
      I don’t have children to cook for myself, although I do have my own home, albeit with quite a small kitchen with little counter space. I’m sorry you found it unhelpful, although the video is entitled ‘how I saved 50% on my food shopping bills’ - obviously some of these things will be related to me and my circumstances and won’t apply to every possible circumstance of individuals although it’s always hoped that through sharing experiences you will help others.
      Again it’s a shame you thought it unhelpful, but thanks for watching anyway.

    • @francescakella8424
      @francescakella8424 2 года назад

      @@KirstyKirby shared kitchen is exactly what I meant. It's hard to buy food once a week where you only have one shelf in a freezer/one cupboard / one fridge shelf. Would love if you could do one for those in shared houses

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      @@francescakella8424 unfortunately I have only lived in a shared property for a short 6 months when I lived abroad more than a decade ago and I wasn’t trying to save at the time. I like to really only share from my experiences or it seem disingenuous or frankly just a guess. If I can come up with anything I will add it to the list, but there might be other creators who do live in shared housing and can share practical tips on here? Unfortunately any tips I came up with would be something of a guess and not based on any experience of the situation.

  • @mikeypatterson7966
    @mikeypatterson7966 Год назад

    "Picking up a bar of chocolate" lol :) I am diabetic so have to eat dark stevia sweetened chocolate to avoid the blood sugar spike.

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  Год назад

      Unfortunately I couldn’t tailor the video for every health condition or allergy someone might possibly have. The video would have been hours long - it was a throwaway comment, not something to be taken as seriously as it seems to have come across to you Mikey. Diabetic sweet options are available in most supermarkets now however.

  • @oneanddonetzone3673
    @oneanddonetzone3673 2 года назад

    I would really ask you to revisit what you think you’re buying when you buy organic. It’s a real shady business and as soon as you jump in your car as soon as you walk outside your door you’re inhaling and absorbing things in excess of anything that was grown outside of organic. Anything imported that claims to be organic I would really put my tongue in my cheek. One other thing you’ll be amazed what you can grow in a couple of containers on your balcony or in your backyard. A lot of these whizbang words simply mean you just got ripped off. I grow an incredible amount of food. Be safe

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      Each to their own. I predominantly favour organic and grass fed (or wild in relation to venison and game) in relation to meat. I already grow my own where I can too. You don’t need to worry about me, I’m wise enough not to get ripped off 😊

    • @oneanddonetzone3673
      @oneanddonetzone3673 2 года назад

      @@KirstyKirby i’ve hunted and gathered my whole life I’ll let you know a little secret venison/deer eat a lot of field crops just saying

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  2 года назад

      @@oneanddonetzone3673 Hi there I won’t be going hunting myself, but glad it works for you. I buy from a supplier where the deer are from the stately home grounds, not roaming field crops. I didn’t claim the venison I buy is organic? I said it was wild, therefore it cannot be claimed to be organic as no control over the diet.

  • @heidihurn9828
    @heidihurn9828 3 года назад +5

    My Advice to anybody don’t have kids cost a fortune x

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад +6

      Ha ha ha! I have to admit Heidi I know that one of the ways I've been able to save so much over the last few years is that I've not got children (always thought I would, just was never fortunate to meet the right person, as I'm almost 38 I'm not sure if that ship has sailed for me now). Children are a blessing I'm sure, but they do tend to cost a small fortune! xx

    • @heidihurn9828
      @heidihurn9828 3 года назад +4

      @@KirstyKirby I wouldn’t bother having kids they are hard work if I had known what I know now I wouldn’t of had them too much hard work I prefer my cat and dog any day x

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад +4

      @@heidihurn9828 Ha ha - I know what you mean, most of my friends are mums and I love their kids, but my goodness they work hard. I've thought a lot about children as the clock ticking gets louder for me and I have to admit I am comfortable with the fact that I may not have children. The cost of living is really expensive just for me and whilst I am far from rich, I earn above average for the area I live in and yet there is absolutely no way I would be able to afford children on my own. I do however have two dogs and when I finally own a place of my own I can totally see another joining the pack, I'll probably just be a crazy dog lady! xx

    • @heidihurn9828
      @heidihurn9828 3 года назад +2

      @@KirstyKirby exactly too expensive you would never have any money your not missing anything believe me better off with animals cheaper and don’t answer back x

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  3 года назад +3

      @@heidihurn9828 Ha ha I don't know about that, one of my dogs is crying and being very annoying right now because he wants feeding, but they get fed at 12. He's whining so much you'd think they didn't get fed, when in fact they are blooming spoilt lol!

  • @loida6837
    @loida6837 Год назад +1

    Cook from scratch

    • @KirstyKirby
      @KirstyKirby  Год назад +1

      Hi Loi, I discussed this in the video.

  • @jasonblack6142
    @jasonblack6142 Год назад

    I hope my next girlfriend is like us

  • @homebodyheaven6114
    @homebodyheaven6114 2 года назад

    Carbon footprints are less existant than Bigfoot. But lovely channel.

  • @margiesvanmori
    @margiesvanmori 2 года назад +1

    This is amazing! I really want to eat healthy and cook more and I am going to be moving into my van this year to travel and I love hearing that you can cut down expenses. I love Lidle. I love how the little expenses really do add up. It's amazing how even just carrots at a different place saved you money. This year I really want to be smart about where I am putting my dollar.