Christmas money saving hacks: ‘Easy’ swaps for ‘best value’ dinner | Personal Finance | Finance

According to the Felix Project, the UK wastes almost 10 million tonnes of food every year.

By opting for frozen food, Mr Phillips said this could “reduce food waste by 30 percent”, and stop around “4.5million tonnes of carbon dioxide polluting the atmosphere and contributing to climate change”.

Meat tends to be more expensive than plant-based options, so Lifesum experts suggest reducing the amount of this type of protein option on the table and including more budget-friendly options such as beans and lentils, or vegetarian alternatives.

Ms Svanfeld said: “If you’re making meatballs, make them out of a plant-based mince, or use half meat and half beans or lentils. Both the planet and your body will thank you.”

Buy the right amount

When it comes to saving money, at the core of any savvy shopper’s tactics should be pre-planning.

Mr Phillips said: “Prior to doing your shop, plan out your portion sizes per person in order to buy exactly what you need.

“Don’t be tempted to size up “just in case” because in reality you always tend to have waste, as shown by the two million turkeys ending up in landfill each year. Stick to getting enough for each person in order to reduce spending and avoid waste.”

This counts for the extra ‘traditional’ foods that are known to be less enjoyed by the people around the table.

Ms Svanfeld said: “Typically, there are a few dishes on the Christmas table that are simply there for traditions, but nobody really enjoys them. Skip them this year and, instead, focus on fewer dishes that you know everyone will love to eat.”

Be savvy with extras

Although the day is generally centred around the main meal, there are other things to consider, such as sweet treats and desserts. If going to different stores isn’t too much bother, products like mince pies and Christmas pudding are constantly fluctuating in price due to tempting offers from the big supermarkets.

Mr Phillips said: “Do your research ahead of your shop to see which supermarkets are offering the best deal that week. Although, if you’d prefer a one-stop shop then ASDA is the best value for money overall when it comes to sweet treats, at just £4.65 for three family-sized desserts.”

Money Expert compared the costs of a Christmas pudding (400g), a box of six mince pies, and a berry trifle. While ASDA came out on top, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco followed close behind, costing £5.74, £5.90, and £6.04 in total, respectively.