Supermarket Downshift Challenge: Cut Around 30% Off Your Shop
Drop one brand level on your regular shop and you could cut your grocery bill by 30% without tasting the difference.
Supermarkets are brilliant at persuading you that the most expensive version of a product is the best. The downshift challenge tests whether your tastebuds can tell the difference.
What is the downshift challenge?
Next time you shop, swap one item for the brand level directly below it. If you normally buy premium, try branded. If you buy branded, try the supermarket's own brand. If you buy own brand, try the value range.
If you cannot tell the difference, stick with the cheaper one. If you can, switch back. The goal is not to downgrade everything, but to stop paying extra for packaging.
Why it saves so much
MoneySavingExpert estimates that a full downshift can cut a typical weekly shop by around 30%. For a family spending £100 a week, that is roughly £1,500 a year. Aldi and Lidl also offer strong value on basics, so consider switching supermarkets for part of your shop.
Start small
Do not downshift every product at once. Pick five to ten regular items, such as cereal, pasta, tinned tomatoes, washing up liquid and butter. Test them over a few shops and keep a note of the winners.
Combine downshifting with meal planning and our Salary After Tax Calculator to see how much extra cash you free up each month.
Bottom line
The downshift challenge is one of the easiest food savings around. You only change brands on products you cannot taste the difference on. Find more ways to cut your food bill in our Food & Groceries guides.
_External resource: MoneySavingExpert explains the downshift challenge and how it could cut 30% off your grocery bill — read it on MSE.