Planning out your meals for the week is a great way to cut the cost of a weekly shop and is key to avoiding waste and overspending on bits you won't actually use. It helps to make sure that you buy what you need and arent tempted by other products.

Try batch cooking your meals to use all ingredients in one go. Freeze portions to have the week ahead or when fresh food runs out.

Use frozen, meat, fish and vegetables to reduce the cost of meals. You'll be amazed at how much you can save by making the swap.

Shop in the evenings and stock up on yellow sticker items which you can freeze to eat at a later time.

Lots of foods can be frozen - even milk and bread, so grab these when they're on special offer or if they aren't going to be used up before ther go bad.

Are your storing your foods properly? Ensuring items are stored properly will stop them going off before their time. Potetoes and onions are best kept in dark storage, and salads are better wrapped in paper not plastic.

Some great apps can help you pick up some good quality food for free or much-reduced costs. Apps like 'Olio' connect you with people giving away food (and household items).

'Too Good To Go' tells you when restaurants and shops are getting rid of food for a fraction of the cost, just because it has not been sold on time. Retailers like Greggs, Costa, and Crown Carveries are all on there.

Keep track of food bills over a few weeks or months if you can. You'll be able to see whether your bills are rising, how they are changing and whether there are other ways to save

The 'Love Food Hate Waste' website has some great recipe ideas for meals using leftovers. It also contains advice on how to store food so it does not go off as quickly.