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1st ever shop... And doing it OS!
Avogirly
Posts: 751 Forumite
I'm new to MSE and OS, and also I have just moved out of home and in with my boyfriend.
This weekend I am going to do my first ever PROPER weekly shop and I'd like it to be OS and not MEGA expensive.
Do any of you worldly wise old stylers have any hints and tips for a successful shop?
I'm dreading it..... and especially the bill.
I have a makro card and we don't need to buy anything for the household as that has already been bought in bulk. So it's literally just food.
In our fridge as I speak we have some butter (and a big one frozen), salad cream and some lamb chops for tea tonight.
In the cupboard we have 3 tins of tomatoes!
We already have salt/pepper and some oil/herbs.
Oh and potatoes... plus what appears to be a giant sack of pasta! (I moved in with him and trust me, it was a boys pad before I got there!)
My cooking skills are limited, but I'm willing to learn.
Should I make a list of everything I want before I go, or just go and chose when I get there?
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
From a desperate newbie xXx
This weekend I am going to do my first ever PROPER weekly shop and I'd like it to be OS and not MEGA expensive.
Do any of you worldly wise old stylers have any hints and tips for a successful shop?
I'm dreading it..... and especially the bill.
I have a makro card and we don't need to buy anything for the household as that has already been bought in bulk. So it's literally just food.
In our fridge as I speak we have some butter (and a big one frozen), salad cream and some lamb chops for tea tonight.
In the cupboard we have 3 tins of tomatoes!
We already have salt/pepper and some oil/herbs.
Oh and potatoes... plus what appears to be a giant sack of pasta! (I moved in with him and trust me, it was a boys pad before I got there!)
My cooking skills are limited, but I'm willing to learn.
Should I make a list of everything I want before I go, or just go and chose when I get there?
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
From a desperate newbie xXx
October make £10/day currently £11.02
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Comments
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Start with a plan of what you're going to eat for the next week - seven main meals and anything else (lunches if you're home etc.)
Then imagine the day - tea/coffee/toast/cereal - make sure you'll have enough of what you need. Move through the day making sure you remember the incidentals like milk for tea, butter to go on your toast etc.
If you go on to https://www.tesco.com you can put your list in (pretend you're doing a shop to be delivered and it will tell you how much it'll cost - then come back and tell us how you got on!0 -
And also - if you check the Shopping section of the MEGA Index at the top of the forum there are loads of threads listed under budget and lots of other shopping tips. Shouldn't take you more than a few days to read them all
Pick the ones that look like they'll help you most.Hi, I'm a Board Guide on the Old Style and the Consumer Rights boards which means I'm a volunteer to help the boards run smoothly and can move and merge posts there. Board guides are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an inappropriate or illegal post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. It is not part of my role to deal with reportable posts. Any views are mine and are not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.DTFAC: Y.T.D = £5.20 Apr £0.50
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Magentasue wrote:Start with a plan of what you're going to eat for the next week - seven main meals and anything else (lunches if you're home etc.)
Then imagine the day - tea/coffee/toast/cereal - make sure you'll have enough of what you need. Move through the day making sure you remember the incidentals like milk for tea, butter to go on your toast etc.
If you go on to https://www.tesco.com you can put your list in (pretend you're doing a shop to be delivered and it will tell you how much it'll cost - then come back and tell us how you got on!
I echo this answer wholeheartedly
Take a list - never shop without one - and make sure you're not hungry when you go.
Good luck0 -
Blimey... I do have to do some work inbetween reading all these posts! I think this site could become addictive!
I'll have a look at Tesco ASAP and let you know the damage!October make £10/day currently £11.020 -
I have started planning all our meals and then using word I write out my shopping list in more or less the right order for the supermarket - find it helps as I know what the next thing I need to look for is and then I don't get distracted by other things and take a pen with me and cross stuff off as I find them.Initial Mortgage January 2024 - £160,000
Initial Mortgage free date - January 2058
Mortgage as of 1st February 2024 - £159,134.98
Overpayments to date - £79.62
Current Mortgage free date - January 20580 -
Don't panic if you appear to be spending more when you start down the Ol'Style path because you will need to build up a clutch of ingredients once you start making your own meals and folowing recipes. Herbs and spices can bump up your bill but compare to buying ready meals and it doesn't seem so bad. Once you have most of the basics in your cupboard things calm down and you can start eating better and saving money. Let us know how you get on.Life's a beach! Take your shoes off and feel the sand between your toes.0
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The Paupers Cookbook has a list of essential store cupboard ingredients which is pretty useful
Tins: Tuna, corned beef, peeled tomatoes, tomato puree, pilchards.
Dried Fruit: Raisins, sultanas, prunes, apricots
Sauces, condiments: VINEGAR
dry mustard, curry paste, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce.
Herbs: Thyme, sage, bayleaves, tarragon, marjoram. I also buy a big pack of mixed herbs and italian seasoning too.
Spices: Black pepper, cinnamon, mace, allspice, coriander, ginger, vanilla essence
Pulses: Lentils, haricot beans, split peas, chick peas
Cereals: Rice, pasta, flour, cornflour, pearl barley and oatmeal
A good supply of lemons, cooking oil, garlic, breadcrumbs and cheese.
Cooking chocolate and cream
Eggs
These will provide you with the base for most meals, all you need then is fresh veg and meat and bread etc.
Hope this helps?Organised people are just too lazy to look for things
F U Fund currently at £2500 -
Well, I've just returned from a weekend away, so still haven't tackled shopping yet!
If I've build up the courage it could be tonight. Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to visit the Tesco website today to get a rough idea of what I need!
I'll keep you posted!October make £10/day currently £11.020 -
Well, I've visited Tesco and decided that due to lack of time and also wanting to visit GG and butcher I decided to do my first shop online!
I spent (including delivery) £21.38, before BOGOF's etc.
This leaves me with plenty to spend at butchers and GG.
Very chuffed with myself, as have done the meal plan for the week too, and have got enough food coming to last into next week.
Hooray!!!!October make £10/day currently £11.020 -
Well done hun :T
Meal planning has been my main tool for money saving. If I do a shepards pie/ chilli/curry I make double and freeze the other portion etc. A roast chicken can do us 2-3 meals (Roast 1st day, then chicken pie or chicken curry then a couple rounds of sarnies). Same with a lamb joint. Bulk shepards pie/stew/curry with a tin of cheapie beans-adds tons of flavour and good source of nutrients.
Cheap meals: sausage, mash & veg, egg/chips, toad in hole, jacket spuds with various fillings, chilli con carne/rice, spagbol....loads more.
Well done so far though-your doing well
PP
xxTo repeat what others have said, requires education, to challenge it,requires brains!FEB GC/DIESEL £200/4 WEEKS0
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