How to save THOUSANDS on food shopping – Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis reveals top tip

THIS simple technique could slash your family grocery bill by more than £1,500.

By Laura Mitchell /

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BUDGET: IS your new year's resolution to be better with money this year?

New year is a time for breaking bad habits and setting new goals.

While many people will make plans to or set up a others will plan to be better with the cost of everyday expenditures.

Food shopping and utility bills can quickly rack up if budgeting doesn’t come naturally to you.

On his website moneysavingexpert.com, Martin Lewis reveals one easy trick that could help you save thousands off your yearly grocery bill.

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Dumpster diving - People throw away a lot of items that cna be sold on for a profit. Getty Images/Hero Images
Dumpster diving - People throw away a lot of items that cna be sold on for a profit.

    Martin puts food items into four categories – premium, branded, own brand and value.

    He suggests shopper try the Downshift Challenge, which involves dropping one brand level on every product.

    “See if you can tell the difference. If not, stick with the cheaper one," he said. 

    Basically, next time you shop swap every item you’d normally buy for a slightly cheaper version of the same thing.

    Often the differences between “premium” products and “basic” products it down to packaging and marketing.

    Well-known brands can charge more for food items, than lesser-known labels, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the contents are any better.

    Martin continued: “The point of this system isn't to force you to drop down a brand level on everything, but to ensure you're not spending money for no reason.

    “If you can't tell the difference between the lower brand level goods, then why pay more for it.

    “It's far better to taste with your mouth than your eyes, so try giving family members a blind taste test with no packaging to ensure it's fair.”

    The money-saving expert has even devised an online tool to help savvy shoppers slash their food bills this year.

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    EXPERT: Martin Lewis says you could save thousands on your food shopping

    How does the online tool work?

    Simply click on the and input the supermarket you most regularly shop in.

    Then tell it how much you usually spend per week or per month and what proportion of each brand you buy (premium, branded, own brand, value).

    The clever online service will then help you change your spending habits so you’ve got dosh left for more exciting ventures.

    Most people will manage to cut their bill by 30%, according to the Mysupermarket comparison website.

    This means a family that spends £100 a week on food shopping could save £1560 annually.

    Find out .