Groceries! Where am i going wrong???

lilian1977

I'm a vegetarian but would definitely say don't compromise on the quality of meat. Cheaper meat is full of water that cooks out anyway so is a false economy, plus you're eating growth hormones etc - definitely not worth it! I'd agree with bulking things out with carrots, pulses (buy dried not tinned, you get so much more for your money) and old veggies sitting at the back of the fridge!

Toni_Broke

Hi

My eldest has got into making cakes recently its def a good cheap option to satisfy a sweet craving.

I really admire the lengths some people go to to reduce their bills but i just dont think, for me, that would be something i could keep up.

I feel better about my £4-500 now and yes any left over goes straight onto a debt.

gollygosh

Don't feel bad, have a look at a couple of your receipts it's surprising how much the non-food items cost. Toilet rolls, kitchen towel, soap, shower gel, toothpaste, bleach, fabric conditioner... the list is endless and if we're talking more than one lady in the house those feminine hygiene products soon add up. When I talk budgets I allow £70-£80 per week for housekeeping that includes it all. There are 4 of us.:D

Starlett

I don't know if you have a farm shop anywhere near you? I am lucky enough to pass one on my way home from work. The veg stays fresher for a lot longer and is cheaper. (and as an added bonus, I got to know some of the staff because I'm a regular and they sometimes 'chuck in' a few extra bits and bobs that are not as fresh and providing I use them in the next day or so it's brilliant!)

Toni_Broke

Well thanks so much for your replies, this was the first time ive posted my own thread and i was scared i wasnt going to get any replies or be banished to the old style board!

You've been fab, off to do the ironing now or i'll end up on here all day lol

Tonixx

OberonSH

You have to balance time vs money. I buy ready made pastry - probably cheaper to make my own but I dont have time, or the skill. Thus it's cheaper to buy the pastry, and make h/m pasties and pies than buy a ready made one.

A friend of mine buys ready prepped veggies, but she's a busy fulltime working single mum, and if she didn;t, she wouldn't have time to peel, grate and prep them. It's the expense of ready prepped vs not eating them, or eating readymeals. For her it makes sense, I have more time so it wouldn't for me.

IsoChick

One of the things I've found really helpful (and if I'm honest a little bit sad/retentive) is to have on my freezers (1 large in garage, 1 small in house) a list of what's in them.

When we started budgeting seriously, I did a freezer audit - binned stuff that had been there for ages (in one case 3 years!!) and rotated a few other bits.

I found loads of soups/1 portion leftovers that I'd frozen, so have been eating those for lunch at work for weeks.

I'd always buy pretty much the same stuff during my shop, and use the BOGOFs to stock the freezer - meaning I had loads of egg pasta, mince, meatballs, chicken kievs etc in there.

Now, each freezer has a list on the front - so that as I'm writing my shopping list/meal planning I know what I need/don't need. E.g. I've still got about 4 packs of various mince in the freezers, so won't need anymore for weeks!

I also found that the MySupermarket comparison site is brilliant - I've saved loads, without spending hours in the actual supermarket. :T

Actually, my best tip is not to let your OH buy anything! I asked him to pick up a loaf of bread last week, and he came back with bread, wine, newspaper and chocolate!! :rolleyes:

Starlett

OberonSH wrote: »

You have to balance time vs money. I buy ready made pastry - probably cheaper to make my own but I dont have time, or the skill. Thus it's cheaper to buy the pastry, and make h/m pasties and pies than buy a ready made one.

A friend of mine buys ready prepped veggies, but she's a busy fulltime working single mum, and if she didn;t, she wouldn't have time to peel, grate and prep them. It's the expense of ready prepped vs not eating them, or eating readymeals. For her it makes sense, I have more time so it wouldn't for me.

That's really logical and I've never thought of it like that!!! :rolleyes:

lilian1977

Toni, just wanted to mention this site as well: http://www.cookingbynumbers.com/search.html - found it last night when we had a plethora of potaotes and eggs to use up. You tick all the ingredients you have and it gives you suggestions for meals. Might help with meal planning

Skint_Catt

You've said you shop online - is it at Tesco or Asda? Well get over to the Discount Vouchers Board where there are LOADS of money off £50+ shops - should pay for delivery AND get money off!!!!! :j