BUDGETING AND

FOOD SHOPPING

Why budgeting matters…

At the National School Pantry Network (NSPN), we understand that managing household finances can be challenging, especially when food prices are rising, and families are juggling many priorities.

Budgeting isn’t about cutting back on enjoyment or taking away choice, it’s about making your money work harder, reducing stress, and helping your family eat well all week.

Through our school pantries, we’re working alongside families to:

Make healthy food more affordable and accessible.
Share simple budgeting tools that really make a difference.
Help children and parents understand the value of money, food, and nutrition.

Good budgeting skills don’t just stretch the weekly shop, they also teach children lifelong habits around planning, saving, and waste reduction.

Budgeting Tools

Practical support from the National School Pantry Network to help families plan, shop, and eat well on a budget.

Budget Planner

Use a free online budget planner to track your spending, identify where you can save, and plan ahead for essentials like food, transport, and utilities.

Budget Planner

Compare Prices

Trolley.co.uk helps you, and families across the UK, compare prices at your favourite supermarkets including Asda, Tesco, Aldi and more.

Compare over 10000 products across supermarkets and shops.

Cost-of-Living Support

If you’re finding it difficult to make ends meet, you’re not alone. Citizens Advice can help you access local support, food vouchers, benefit checks, and advice on bills or debt.

Get Help with the Cost of Living

Healthy Eating on a Budget

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s how to get the most nutrition for your money:

Choose whole grains (brown rice, wholemeal pasta), they’re filling and nutritious.
Use beans, lentils, and pulses as affordable protein sources.
Add seasonal fruits and vegetables, often cheaper and fresher.
Try meat-free days to save money and explore new flavours.
Use herbs and spices to make simple meals exciting.

Weekly Family Food Budget Example

Here’s an example to help you plan your weekly shop, adjust it based on your family size, dietary needs, and local prices.

Weekly food budget example (family of 4):

Total weekly food budget: £80
- Breakfasts: £10 (porridge oats, milk, fruit, eggs)
- Lunches: £15 (sandwich fillings, wraps, fruit, yoghurts)
- Dinners: £40 (pasta, rice, veg, pulses, canned fish/chicken)
- Snacks & dairy: £10
- Store cupboard essentials: £5 (oil, flour, spices)

💡 Top tip: Review your budget monthly to see what’s working, small adjustments add up over time.

Download Weekly Food Planner

Shop Smart Tips

Making small changes can make a big difference over time. Here are a few tried and tested ideas from NSPN schools and families:

Plan one week of meals before shopping, it saves time and reduces waste and check your cupboards and freezer to avoid duplicate buys.
Involve your children in meal planning, they’re more likely to eat what they’ve helped choose.
Batch cook and freeze soups, stews, and pasta sauces.
Use frozen and tinned produce for nutrition and convenience.
Swap branded products for supermarket own brands, many are made by the same suppliers.
Compare prices using the “price per 100g” or “price per kg” label.
Shop at the end of the day for yellow-sticker discounts.
Avoid shopping when hungry, it really does lead to more impulse buys!
Keep a leftovers night once a week to use up what’s in the fridge.