It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

grrmich

This is it:
http://www.approvedfood.co.uk/

dreamyd

I've just have a browse around the approved food website and it looks interesting. I think you might get the best out of it if you club together with a couple of friends/family so that you get a range of stuff. Thanks for the heads up on this one.

wyebird

There is a current thread on approved foods on Shop but Don't Drop here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1282695

lilac_lady

J-O, your post is so spot on. It's hard to exist when money is tight but finding ways around this can change your life for the better, even if you don't believe it at the time.

Reverbe

I've looked at this site a few time sbut the postage is just too astronomical for the amount of stuff I'd order (as I live in a teeny flat I don't have the storage space)

purpleivy

There's a market I go to sometimes (not in my home town though) and they always have stuff that is short/out of dated, so maybe the sort of place that would suit you better. I find with these places there is always a lot of sweet stuff that I don't tend to buy.

I was pleased with my orders from approved food and the money I saved on some coffee paid for the postage and the rest of the shopping. Probably more suited to family level catering though.

Phudge

Icemaiden, re the washing powder - I got a great special offer this past week from Ocado. £1 per large box of their colour care powder, 20 washes so it says, but I would get at least 40 out of a box. I don't know if this is an online offer only or whether they deliver to your area but I thought I would mention it and maybe it would be helpful for someone else too.

http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Ultima-Colour-Care-Washing-Powder-20-Washes-Waitrose/15146011?parentContainer=SEARCHwashing%20powder

elizabunny

Afternoon everyone. Been very good today and done some batch cooking and DH has really given my old cooker a good scrub O/S of course and no nasty chemicals, just elbow grease, soda crystals and a few drops of stardrops. It's about as close to gleaming now as it's going to get because it's 21 years old, so I think I've had good service from it. It does need a new hot plate now and a bulb for the oven and without doubt it's soon going to give up the ghost, so I think I'll have to start budgeting for a replacement very soon. We have some of our kitchen appliances insured against breakdown -but not the cooker and I feel I have to keep making excuses for the age of it when our repair man comes out, but as he says, if it's working ok why replace it. My thoughts exactly -so hopefully I might get another few years out of it. I wonder if my next one will last as long...............

mardatha

Lovely post jackieO, I used to say all this as well and I do try to keep the mindset, but I live a bit remote and don't have much spare energy , so am beginning to suffer from cabin fever !
Maybe in spring things will pick up, and hope we get a better summer than last year.

mrssnowy_2

Interesting posts,make you think and see things from all angles.
I work 29 hours a week,am carer for DH and a volunteer with several different groups.
Dying to reduce work hours (I am 58!)to fit every thing in,but younger work colleague just leaving to go on to pastures new,so I'll have to cover 'til a replacement is found.
'So much to do ,so little time to do it in'

By the way ,where can I get stardrops from?