I spent just £207 at Sainsbury’s on a shop with a retail value of £717 – it’s a record, here’s how I did it
A SAVVY shopper has revealed how he bought a Christmas food shop worth over £700 for just a fraction of the cost.
Ben David from Blackpool took to Facebook to share how he managed to pay just £207 for the Sainsbury’s shop.
He shared the mammoth haul of food on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Group page.
“Merry Christmas, it’s that time of year again where I do my Christmas bargain hunting,” he wrote.
“This year I’ve set a new record, £207 spent, retail value of £717.”
Key purchases from his huge shop include six turkeys, three full sides of salmon and 14 boxes of salmon en croute.
He explained that the turkeys should have been around £35 each but he got them for just £8.
The sides of salmon should have been £32 which he got for £10, and the salmon en croute should have been £3.89 but he got them for just 99p each.
Ben shared a picture of his kitchen after unpacking the haul showing turkeys of various sizes on the counter, numerous packs of meat like pork with “75% off” tags, and a range of ready meals and other food.
He shared a video of the full receipt as evidence of his huge savings that he scooped in a last-minute shop on Christmas Eve as stores majorly marked down lots of items.
Ben was hugely congratulated by fellow bargain hunters with many asking where he would now be putting all of the food he had acquired.
“That is some haul – you must have a few chest freezers,” one Facebook user commented.
“One chest freezer, a tall standing one, & an American one lol – we bargain hunt a lot hence the freezers,” Ben replied.
“That’s the way to do it mate marry Christmas,” the user responded.
“Great to get a bargain on Christmas Eve,” another added.
Ben explained to another shopper that he plans to freeze all of the food to prevent it from spoiling and then use it throughout the year.
How to save money on Christmas shopping
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.
Limit the amount of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.
Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you’re not having to buy multiple presents.
Plan ahead – if you’ve got the stamina and budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.
Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you’re not forking out more than you should though.
Buy in Boxing Day sales – some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.
Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.
Shop via outlet stores – you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.
They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.
“It lasts us a fair few months for different meals,” he said, adding later on that it could last him up to eight months.
When others complained about never getting such bargains near them, the shopping wizz gave a helpful tip.
“All about finding the right stores & right place/time,” he said.
“I ask the staff at my local Aldi what time they are likely to reduce so that I have an idea.”
“Best to go early, in Blackpool it’s 1-2 pm for Aldi and 3-4 for Sainsbury’s,” he told another shopper.
But, those who want the best bargains will also have to be willing to sacrifice their time.
For the huge haul, Ben says he went on a four-hour shopping trip at Sainsbury’s.