food/housekeeping allowance on benefits

notlongnow_2

Hi, I dont work at Asda. I just nip in a couple of times when Im at work. Unfortunately there arent any jobs going and mine also looks a bit dodgy at the moment.

I dont count my Boots points into anything really..I just use thenm usually on baby products/pressies as and when I need too. Im currently buying Tony and Guy Model me shampoo and conditioner. Its £1.22 as its being discontinued. I have a £2 off haircare voucher that I sometimes find in the baskets or my friend gives them to me. So for 2 products its £2.44, £2 off voucher takes it down to 44p and in the Boots card machine theres a 150extra point voucher for any T&G product so in fact Boots pay me £1.06 to take away a bottle each of shampoo and conditioner. Look on the Boots board here on MSE, theres loads of bargains.

Its only the last couple of months I have spent £80. Sometimes I spend more.

Before christmas I bought the biggest fresh salmon you have ever seen for a tenner...now that DID last for ages after Id chopped it up and froze it.

My colleague is always saying she needs for me to do her weekly shopping as she spends approx £200 for 2 adults 2 kids and a dog. I have another friend whos colleagues ask her all the time about any offers I know.

I also snip vouchers. Im in no rush to use them straight away as you usually need to buy the product the voucher is for. But if the vouchers have a long date on them then sooner or later a supermarket will have it on offer so I buy it then.

Im not sure what we are having today but I can keep you updated if you like. Up to now the children have had home made bread/toast with homemade jam( I pick blackberries in the summer) and a Kiwi. (Net bag full for 39p from Tesco) and the baby just had some choc left over from a selection box from christmas.

Im desperate to go to Asda to get some £1 easter eggs but I know ill buy more and so im trying not too..lol.

Glen0000

I am also amazed by these feed a family for 20p a week posts. I am sorry, but there is no way you could get your 5 a day on that amount. We have just started eating more healthly and our food bill has shot up. Nothing processed, at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day each, no white bread, low fat etc etc.

I would love to see someone post examples of hearty family meals for under £1 per head that include at least 2/3 portions of veg each and are low fat. I doubt it can be done.

Glen0000

notlongnow wrote: »

and a Kiwi. (Net bag full for 39p from Tesco)

The cheapest kiwis are 17p each at my Tesco. How did you find a bag full for 39p?????

OrkneyStar

dawnylou wrote: »

What is the attitude for??

We CAN'T afford this, but have to eat. I like our meals to be home made so I buy lots of fruit, veg and meat which is expensive at the moment.

Hence we do not go out for drinks or meals unless it is a special occasion, never ever have takeaways, hardly drink.....

Lots of times I have tried the grocery challenge but struggle to get it down. I can't buy in bulk due to not having much space, but I do try to cook extra and freeze it whenever possible.

Noone has an attitude, my point was if YOU can afford it, then good luck to you. If you cannot afford it then you do need to cut back, pure and simple. Have you tried bulking out with pulses/oats etc (personally I don't like either but many swear by them!), assessing portion sizes, buyong cheap cuts of meat and slow cooking them etc.
I make all home made meals too and can feed 2 adults and a DS on £35-50 (generally around the £40 mark), but tbh could do it on less if HAD to.

Glen0000

OrkneyStar wrote: »

I make all home made meals too and can feed 2 adults and a DS on £35-50 (generally around the £40 mark), but tbh could do it on less if HAD to.

Do you all get your 5 a day?

Cheap cuts of meat? No meat is cheap anymore! Even mince is expensive! Please give me an example of a "cheap" cut of meat.

LizzieS_2

Glen0000 wrote: »

Do you all get your 5 a day?

Cheap cuts of meat? No meat is cheap anymore! Even mince is expensive! Please give me an example of a "cheap" cut of meat.

It is usually cheaper to bulk buy, cut into portions and freeze - not from the local supermarket though!

Glen0000

LizzieS wrote: »

It is usually cheaper to bulk buy, cut into portions and freeze - not from the local supermarket though!

Where from?

LizzieS_2

Glen0000 wrote: »

Where from?

I'm the wrong one to ask as I don't do this myself - sure some-one will come up with a fuller list of places to go, but things like specialised meat markets/ bulk retailers (not local shopping centre market).

notlongnow_2

Glen0000 wrote: »

The cheapest kiwis are 17p each at my Tesco. How did you find a bag full for 39p?????

I know! thats exactly what I thought. I only bought them on tuesday. They are slightly smaller than the single ones and need ripening a little(have put them next to the reduced bananas to help). Definately 39p because I checked my receipt when I got outside just to make sure.....just checked how many in the net=6. They are the Tesco value range, is it called 'market place'? cant be bothered to go back to kitchen to check..lol..

notlongnow_2

Glen0000 wrote: »

I am also amazed by these feed a family for 20p a week posts. I am sorry, but there is no way you could get your 5 a day on that amount. We have just started eating more healthly and our food bill has shot up. Nothing processed, at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day each, no white bread, low fat etc etc.

I would love to see someone post examples of hearty family meals for under £1 per head that include at least 2/3 portions of veg each and are low fat. I doubt it can be done.

Glen, I dont understand how your previous diet(Im presuming processed/convienience) could be cheaper than a healthy fresh diet.

Maybe its becsue you are new to this style of eating and im sure you will soon know what to buy and where to buy it for the best deal. Buy things in season and look for special offers. I am fortunate in that my family will eat anything and so I work my meals around what I already have.

My boys like pilchards on toast! Not really my kind of thing but a big tin costs me less than 30p.

I bought some banana chips for 10p a bag from Boots last week. They have alsorts of dried fruits and seeds at clearance prices. Personally, I cant stand them but OH loves them.

It really can be done, because I am doing it. I think maybe its because I buy things cheap and multiples and so I do maybe retain some kind of stock in my cupboards to fall back on, I dont know, I dont really check..lol.

I must admit though, sometimes I cant think what to cook but then put bits and bobs together and make a feast. i always have eggs and so will make a quiche mid morning to snack on through the day or make jacket spuds for a main meal. Homemade pastry costs virtually nothing. I dont buy crisps or biscuits unless I go to Home bargains and get them at 5-10p a packet sometimes. A sack of potatoes from morrisons costs approx £2.50 (I may be wrong) or theres a farmer who sits in a layby about half a mile away from me who sells huge sacks for £3. I use the smaller ones first to save the large ones for jacket potatoes.