A BARGIN expert has revealed how he cut the cost of his shop by swapping out premium brand items for supermarket own brands.
When it comes to the weekly shop, families are looking for ways to save at the checkout as prices continue to soar.
Keeping the food bill to a minimum is a priority for millions as the cost of living continues to bite.
Big-brand goodies can be expensive, but supermarket own-brands can often look and taste just like the same thing – and for a fraction of the cost.
Tom Church, co-founder of Latest Deals, often shares his best moneys saving hacks, including tips on how to save money on your weekly shop.
The 31-year-old has now revealed how he managed to save £10.38 by swapping big brand names such as Aunt Bessie and Cadbury for own brand items from Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Iceland.
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Just remember, it's always a good idea to double check prices by using comparison sites such as Trolley.co.uk.
These sites will be able to tell you if you can buy goods cheaper elsewhere.
If you're ordering online, you'll need to factor in delivery charges too.
Yorkshire puddings
- Aunt Bessie's Yorkshire pudding (Ten pack) – £2 in Morrisons
- Just Essentials Yorkshire Puddings – 50p
- Saving – £1.50
Everyone loves a roast dinner – and, for most, a Yorkshire pudding is an essential part of the meal.
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Tom found a ten-pack of Aunt Bessie's Yorkshire pudding reduced from £2 to £1.50 in Morrisons.
But he said, if you really want to save, Asda is selling a 15 pack of Yorkshire pubs from its Just Essentials range for 50p.
Tom said: "In other words, you’re getting 5 more products for a fraction of the price."
Ben and Jerry's ice-cream
- Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream – £3 at B&M
- Gianni’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream – £1.75 at Aldi
- Saving – £1.75
"Sometimes all you want is a tasty bowl of ice cream, but it can be tough to justify paying out for branded products", Tom said.
Tom found out that B&M was selling a tub of Ben & Jerry's cookie dough ice cream for £3 in-store at the moment.
But if you want even more bang for your buck, you could nip into Aldi and pick up Gianni’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream.
"It’s a steal at just £1.75", Tom said.
McCain’s Slow Baked Jackets
- McCain’s Slow Baked Jackets -£2.25 at Iceland
- Four Seasons Ready Baked Jackets – £1.75
- Saving – 50p
"When you’re in a rush or simply want an easy meal, jacket potatoes are a no-fuss solution", said Tom.
"It’s always worth having some pre-baked ones in the freezer, as they’re so quick."
Tom found Iceland is offering a McCain’s four-pack reduced from £3.25 to £2.25.
But if you’re not bothered about brands, the best option for a tight budget is the own-brand ones from Aldi.
"They’re only £1.65 and I reckon they taste exactly the same", said Tom.
Cadbury Hot Chocolate
- Cadbury's hot chocolate – £2 at Asda
- Tesco Stockwell & Co hot chocolate – £1.02
- Saving – 98p
Hot chocolate is a Christmas staple, but it can be pricey.
Tom compared a few supermarkets and found that Asda has got the best deal for Cadbury’s hot chocolate right now – reduced from £3 to £2.
But Tom said if you're looking to save a little bit extra, you could try Tesco's Stockwell & Co hot chocolate for just £1.02.
Heinz Tomato Ketchup
- Heinz Tomato Ketchup – 75p at Iceland
- Just Essentials ketchup – 42p at Asda
- Saving – 33p
"If you’ve burnt the oven chips, or your children are refusing to eat anything other than fish fingers, it’s always handy to have a tube of tomato ketchup available", said Tom.
He found a bottle of Heinz tomato ketchup in Iceland reduced from £1.70 to 75p.
And, if you’re not fussy about brands, you can save even more.
Asda has a bottle in their Just Essentials range for just 42p.
Cadbury Mini Rolls
- Cadbury Mini Rolls – £1.50 at Iceland
- Ten milk chocolate mini rolls – £99p
- Saving – 51p
Tom said: "Cadbury Mini Rolls are such a great snack.
"They’re so easy for packed lunches or when you’re on the go."
Iceland has a ten-pack reduced from £2.50 to £1.50 at the moment.
But if you’re not bothered about the Cadbury chocolate, Tom said you should give the Sainsbury’s own ones – and they’re just 99p a pack.
New York Bakery Bagels
- New York Bakery Bagels – £1.25 at Asda
- NYC deli style plan bagels – 79p at Aldi
- Saving – 46p
Bagels are the perfect snack for a lunch-on-the-go, or for filling your kid's lunchbox for school.
But some of the big brands can be a little pricey.
Tom said: "If you’re a fan of bagels, Asda has the New York Bakery ones down from £1.75 to £1.25 at the moment.
"However, I found an even better deal at Aldi – their plain bagels are only 79p.
"I always go for these ones, and you really can’t tell the difference."
Chicago Town Cheesy Stuffed Crust
- Chicago Town cheesy stuffed crust – £3.25 at Asda
- Tesco Takeaway Cheese Meltdown – £2.40 at Tesco
- Saving: 85p
Saving on takeaways is another easy way to keep your food bills down, so it's a good idea to keep your eyes peeled for a cheap, supermarket alternative.
"Chicago Town Pizzas are a guilty pleasure", said Tom.
"So when I saw Asda had reduced their cheesy stuffed crust ones from £4.50 to £3.25, I just had to grab a few.
"Plus, if you want to save even more, Tesco has their own for £2.40.
"Not only are you saving an additional 85p, they even have a stuffed crust – so you won’t feel like you’re missing out."
Mr Kipling Cherry Bakewells
- Mr Kipling's Cherry Bakewells – £1 at Poundland
- Holly Lane Cherry Bakewells – 95p
- Saving – 5p
"I recently picked up a pack of Mr. Kipling’s Cherry Bakewells from Poundland", said Tom.
"They were just £1, saving me £1.35 compared to Morrisons.
"However, the Aldi equivalent was 95p, so there isn’t much difference at all. I
"f you’re in the mood for some Mr. Kipling cakes, you may as well spend that extra 5p."
Nutella 750g
- Nutella 750g – £4.50 at Asda
- Hazlenut spread – £1.50 at Iceland
- Saving – £3
Tom said: "If you or the kids are Nutella lovers, you’ll know it can be pretty pricey.
"Buying a larger jar is generally cheaper, as you get more for your money.
"Plenty will be excited to know that Asda has it reduced at the moment, from £5.25 to £4.50.
"That’s a good saving, but it’s still much more than I’m willing to pay.
"I kept looking and found some supermarket-brand chocolate hazelnut spread in Iceland.
"It’s £1.50 for a smaller tub, but still more than £1.50 cheaper – and it tastes pretty much the same in my opinion."
How to reduce the cost of your supermarket shop
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your shop.
You should keep an eye out for yellow stickers to get the best food bargains.
Supermarkets often reduce the price of food nearing its use by date to shift stock and stop food waste.
You can get up to 75% off products in some cases.
Another trick is to use supermarket loyalty schemes.
For example, Sainsbury's runs its Nectar card reward scheme, where customers receive points every time they shop in stores.
And checking price per quantity is another great way to see how much you are actually paying for your groceries.
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