Save money on dinner out by joining a loyalty scheme. Join the Gourmet Society or the MidWeek Dining Club and save as much as 50% off your restaurant bill, says Which? Money. Annual membership costs £43.50 and £19.99 respectively and can be used at over 1,000 restaurants. Alternatively, look out for loyalty schemes at chain restaurants; these are often free to join and come with discounts.
Bring your own bottle
Another way to save on a meal out is to go to a restaurant that allows you to bring your own bottle of wine (BYOB). With the average bottle of house wine costing £14, compared to £5 from the supermarket, this can mean big savings. Visit Wine Pages for a list of BYOB restaurants.
Ask for a doggy bag
If you don’t finish your meal, don’t be afraid to ask for a doggy bag so you can take leftovers home. “You paid for it, why waste it?” says Which? Money.
Avoid pre-packaged food
Food that isn’t wrapped up in loads of packaging will be cheaper, says Lovemoney.com. So buy your fruit and veg loose. Also, go to the deli counter for meats and cheeses, as they are likely to be cheaper than the plastic-wrapped items on the shelves.
Don’t rush
When you’re in the supermarket, take time to look up and down a shelf before picking your product. Supermarkets place the most profitable items at eye level, with cheaper versions often placed at the top or bottom of each shelf. Check the discounts at your local supermarket before setting off at www.fixtureferrets.co.uk.
Reduce the cost of losing weight
If you want to try and shed a few pounds after enjoying all this bargain food, www.weightwatchers.co.uk is offering £10 off its three-month plan when you book online, reports Emma Wall in The Daily Telegraph. Just enter this code: 4-16-133-18680.
Online discounts for the over-50s
Over 50? Then head to www.oscaruk.co.uk. This website lists discounts available to the over-50s on everything from eating out, to travel, to shopping and fitness, says Which.
£5 off train tickets costing over £20
Just see Travelsupermarket.com’s Top Deals for information on their deal with Thetrainline.com. The offer is available until 8 March for travel up to a maximum of three months in advance.
Free coffee at Starbucks
Until Thursday 5 March, The Guardian comes with a voucher for a free tall Americano. These usually cost £2, while the paper costs 90p. So you save £1.10.