An NHS worker from West London has revealed how her unique approach to grocery shopping has saved her an astonishing £29,000 over 14 years, allowing her to spend just £40 monthly on food while funding regular overseas holidays.
The Five-Step Shopping Revolution
Laura Gaga, 45, began her yellow sticker shopping journey over a decade ago, transforming her relationship with food and finances. Rather than planning meals in advance, Laura, who shares her tips online as @reduction_raider1, bases her shopping around whatever has been reduced in supermarkets.
"I'll go to the yellow sticker shelves, see what's there and then make food based on that," Laura explained. Her method involves shopping multiple times weekly, checking reduction times at various supermarkets including service stations and even WHSmith.
Transforming Diet and Lifestyle
Laura's bargain-hunting approach unexpectedly transformed her diet, leading her to become vegan for the past seven years. "Meat tends to go first in the reduced aisles, so if I couldn't get it cheap, I wouldn't buy it," she said. "Eventually, I just stopped eating it altogether."
She now prepares most meals from scratch, embraces leftovers, and uses vegan protein powder or tofu to ensure nutritional balance. Laura also utilises local sharing app Olio daily and receives surplus vegetables from friends with allotments, recently experimenting with pumpkin overnight oats and beetroot crisps.
Beyond Personal Savings
For Laura, this approach represents more than just financial benefit. In October, she and friend Natalie launched Refill Your Cup, a zero-waste refill shop in Hillingdon that reduces food waste and single-use plastics.
"People sometimes think shopping like this is about going without," Laura noted. "But actually, it's the opposite. You spend less, buy less, and end up with more." The freedom gained from her shopping methods allows for regular travel, with Thailand being her most recent destination.
Even Laura's cat Tigger benefits from the strategy, enjoying reduced-price cat food finds. She occasionally discovers unexpected treasures like alcohol discounted by 90%, though emphasises that understanding date labels and proper storage is crucial for success.
Laura's Five Essential Tips for Yellow Sticker Success
- Learn reduction times: Ask staff when final reductions typically occur, usually late afternoon or early evening
- Understand date labels: 'Best before' relates to quality, while 'use by' items should be cooked or frozen immediately
- Plan your storage: Keep freezer space available and organise meals around what cannot be frozen
- Shop flexibly: Approach shopping with an open mind and learn ingredient substitution
- Check cupboards first: Always see what you already have before shopping to avoid unnecessary purchases
Laura's most tracked month saw her spend just £43 on groceries, proving that with strategic shopping and an adaptable mindset, significant savings are achievable while maintaining a varied and nutritious diet.
