A National Health Service worker has revealed an extraordinary money-saving strategy, claiming to have saved a staggering £29,000 over 14 years by hunting for yellow sticker discounts. However, Laura Gaga's secret doesn't involve scouring supermarket aisles alone.
Thinking Outside the Supermarket Aisle
The 45-year-old from West London has slashed her grocery bill to just £40 by expanding her search for reduced items far beyond traditional food shops. Laura's strategy involves checking a diverse range of locations, including local garden centres, petrol station forecourts, and even coffee shops.
"I’ll check anywhere – service stations, coffee shops, even WHSmith," Laura explains. "You never know where you’ll find a reduced sticker. I’ll go to the yellow sticker shelves, see what’s there and then make food based on that." This flexible approach to meal planning is central to her success.
A Lifestyle of Frugal Creativity
Laura's commitment extends to her social circle and daily habits. Friends who know about her discount-shopping passion often contribute, such as one with an allotment who provided a bounty of vegetables. This led to creative culinary experiments like pumpkin overnight oats and homemade beetroot crisps.
"I’m a big fan of leftovers," she says. "I’ll do a big cook and then eat from that pot through the week." Tracking her spending has proven highly effective, with one monitored month totalling only £43. "When I track it, I’m even more mindful, so I spend less," she notes.
Health, Habits and Happy Accidents
Her seven-year vegan journey was partly influenced by the discount aisles. "Meat tends to go first in the reduced aisles, so if I couldn’t get it cheap, I wouldn’t buy it. Eventually, I just stopped eating it altogether," Laura reveals. She maintains her health by freezing food and supplementing with items like vegan protein powder and tofu.
Technology also plays a role. She checks the local sharing app Olio daily and always plans meals around existing cupboard stock. While major finds are rare, they are memorable. "I once found a bottle of gin reduced by 90%. That doesn’t happen often, but it’s great when it does," Laura shares. She also enjoys finding discounted cat food for her pet, Tigger.
Laura Gaga's story demonstrates that significant savings require consistency, creativity, and a willingness to look in the most unexpected places.
