A simple five-minute gift card trick could help shoppers save up to £100 a year on their weekly food shop, according to money-saving experts. The method involves buying discounted supermarket gift cards from resale websites, which offer cards at less than their face value.
How the Gift Card Trick Works
The trick is straightforward: instead of paying full price for groceries, shoppers purchase gift cards for their preferred supermarket from online marketplaces like Cardyard or Zeek. These sites sell unwanted or partially used gift cards at a discount. For example, a £100 supermarket gift card might be available for £95, instantly saving 5% on the shopping bill. Over a year, this can add up to significant savings, especially for larger households.
According to consumer finance specialist Sarah Coles, "If you do a weekly shop of £100 and use a 5% discounted gift card each time, you could save £260 a year. Even a 2% discount on a £50 weekly shop saves over £50 annually." The process takes only a few minutes to find and purchase a card, and the balance is typically delivered via email or app.
Tips for Maximizing Savings
Experts recommend checking multiple resale sites for the best deals, as discounts vary. Cards for popular supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Aldi are commonly available. It is important to buy from reputable platforms that guarantee the card balance. Some sites offer buyer protection, and users should read reviews before purchasing.
Additionally, shoppers can combine this trick with other savings methods, such as using cashback apps or loyalty points, to further reduce their grocery bills. The key is to plan ahead and buy gift cards before doing the weekly shop.
Potential Drawbacks
While the trick is effective, there are a few caveats. Not all supermarkets accept gift cards for online orders, and some may have restrictions on combining multiple cards in one transaction. Also, discounted cards may have limited availability, so shoppers need to act quickly when a good deal appears. Finally, buyers should be cautious of scams and only use trusted platforms.
Despite these minor issues, the gift card trick remains a popular and easy way to cut grocery costs, especially as food prices continue to rise. With inflation affecting household budgets, every saving helps.
