A self-confessed 'cheapskate' mother has captured widespread attention by detailing her remarkably economical weekly grocery shop, which feeds her family of four for just £33. The woman, who regularly shares money-saving advice with her over 31,000 followers on TikTok under the username frugal866, recently posted a video showcasing her routine shopping trip at Asda, demonstrating practical strategies to drastically reduce household expenses.
Strategic Shopping for Maximum Savings
In her viral clip, the frugal influencer meticulously selected items exclusively from Asda's budget-friendly Just Essentials range, prioritising the cheapest available options and diligently scouring the reduced section for discounts. Her approach focuses on purchasing versatile ingredients that can be utilised across multiple meals, ensuring minimal waste and maximum value from every penny spent.
The Complete £33 Grocery List
The haul included a variety of staple foods designed to sustain a family throughout the week:
- Stick of garlic bread
- Cheese and tomato snack pizza
- 15 cheesy slices
- Six scotch pancakes from the reduced section
- Pasta shapes
- Mild curry sauce
- Tomato ketchup
- Tomato soup (55p)
- Tuna chunks in brine
- Four packets of chicken flavour instant noodles
- A bag of bananas
- New potatoes
- Carton of skimmed long life milk
- Two meat and potato pies
- 20 frozen sausages
- Self-raising flour
- Peach slices
- Additional unshown items: a reduced loaf of bread and a tin of baked beans
Essential Frugal Tips from the Expert
While navigating the supermarket aisles, the savvy shopper shared key insights that contribute to her significant savings. She emphasised the importance of opting for long-life milk over fresh varieties, noting its extended shelf life and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, she advocated for homemade alternatives, explaining that buying flour to bake cakes oneself is substantially cheaper than purchasing pre-made options.
Social Media Reactions and Community Advice
The video sparked a lively discussion in the comments section, with viewers exchanging their own money-saving strategies. One commenter highlighted that supermarkets often sell identical products under different labels at varying price points, a practice confirmed by another user who recalled similar experiences from working in a cheese factory. Others recommended planning meals in advance, comparing prices across retailers like Aldi, and taking advantage of yellow sticker reductions at stores such as Waitrose and Marks & Spencer for higher-quality items with fewer preservatives.
Creative culinary suggestions also emerged, including a recipe for a cheap pasta sauce made from tomato soup, garlic, and cream cheese. Many viewers expressed solidarity, with one remarking that such frugality is less about being a 'cheapskate' and more about survival in the current economic climate of 2026. This viral story underscores the growing public interest in practical, actionable advice for managing household budgets amidst rising living costs.
