Susan Finch, a 69-year-old retired woman from Rhondda Cynon Taff, South Wales, found herself facing significant financial strain after her husband, Andrew, fell ill and was forced to close his shop. With her pension becoming the primary source for household bills, Susan sought innovative ways to manage expenses, particularly her food budget. She discovered the 'Too Good To Go' app, a platform that allows users to purchase perfectly edible food at heavily reduced prices from supermarkets and fast-food chains that would otherwise be discarded.

Susan quickly became adept at using the app, describing herself as a "super scrimper" and admitting an addiction to the savings. She checks the app at least ten times a day to secure the best bargains and has even arrived at Greggs as early as 6 AM to avoid missing out on deals. Her dedication has seen her visit up to three supermarkets in a single day for collections. Over two years, this diligent approach has resulted in an impressive saving of £4,812 on her food bill.

Photo Credit: The Sun

Her obsession with money-saving intensified when her husband's ill health, specifically the need for a hip replacement, prevented him from contributing financially, leaving Susan to manage most bills with her pension. She managed to slash her weekly food shop from around £200 to just £100. This new budget includes approximately £30 for a Tesco Click and Collect order for essentials, with the remainder allocated to 'Too Good To Go' bags. These bags typically cost £2.99 for Greggs, £3.30 for Aldi, and up to £3.50 for Caffè Nero.

Susan praises Aldi as her favorite store on the app, noting its high ratings and the "game" she and Andrew make out of creating meals from their mystery bags. She recounted transforming meatballs into a ragu sauce and Turkish-style kofta kebabs into a homemade chili. Doughnuts and brioche buns are also cherished finds, often repurposed into bread and butter pudding. Susan also employs practical strategies like freezing bread, milk, and butter when going away, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Addressing potential criticism about leaving food bags for others, Susan emphasizes that the deals are always available for anyone. She views these savings as a continuation of her lifelong love for a bargain, comparing the thrill to finding a reduced dress or coat. Her consistent presence has made her a familiar face among staff at Aldi and Greggs, who jokingly inquire about her daily haul. The app imposes no limits on purchases, and Susan often checks for additional bags even after collecting her initial order, driven by the desire to prevent food waste. Since starting in January 2023, the same year her husband closed his shop, her savings accumulated to £4,812.

In a single month, Susan purchased 36 bags with an original value of £374 for just £128, saving nearly £250. These significant savings enabled the couple to "splash out" on flights to Murcia, Spain, in June, to stay with family – a trip Susan proudly described as having "basically free" flights. Beyond food, Susan has adjusted other spending habits, tackling a previous "shopping and clothes habit" by using platforms like Vinted to find new items with labels still attached. She also optimizes energy costs by utilizing British Gas's policy for cheaper electricity during specific off-peak hours.

Photo Credit: Daily Mail

Furthermore, Susan consciously opts for Tesco Click and Collect for her essential groceries, paying £2.79 a month for a saver plan, which allows unlimited collections. This method helps her avoid impulse purchases, as she finds herself compulsively adding items to her trolley when physically inside a supermarket. By strictly buying what she needs online and collecting it, she removes the temptation of browsing and overspending, effectively reinforcing her disciplined approach to budgeting and saving.