Gardeners can save extra on food

With the country officially in a recession, Brits are searching for ways to save money.

New figures from Abbey show that more than half of the population (56 per cent) have cut back on eating out, while 44 per cent are slower to pick up the phone to order a takeaway.

The reason, according to Abbey, is that people are more concerned about spending money, despite the data showing that the average household is spending an extra £50.96 per month on groceries.

Those who really want to save should take a leaf out of the organic vegetable growing book and use their gardens and greenhouses to grow their own food.

With 17 per cent more people taking a packed lunch to work in the last 12 months, those who take food they have grown themselves will not only save money but also benefit from more nutritious food.

Abbey credit cards boss Callum Gibson explained the financial downturn is causing people to show more ingenuity in how they save money.

"The current economic climate means that people are looking to make cutbacks where they can to make their money go further," he said.

The Royal Horticultural Society has a Grow Your Own Food campaign and its website issues straightforward advice on growing fruit and vegetables.