Bad attitude to os?

JailhouseBabe

I'm always regaling friends with my MS activities. I managed to use approx £70 worth sainsburys coupons (total cost £4.80 for 4 magazines) in asda during december (they stopped accepting them in january ). ALL of my friends said they would be too ashamed to use coupons.
When I tell them about my R&Rs, they all say they'd be too embarassed to do that also.

I'm not afraid to spend money when I need to, but cannot understand how anyone can scoff when they're paying over the odds. Do they really think their food tastes better because they paid full price or were overcharged?

bulchy

lynzpower wrote:

Isnt Presto part of the old safeway? the only one ive ever seen was in Newcastle near the indoor market? I remember that being expensive ( esp for me as a student, I used to go to kwik save!)

This was a loooong time ago lynzpower, I'm talking nearly 20 years ago, when Presto first introduced a basic range, and yes I think it did change to Safeway, wasnt the Newcastle one though, was in The Galleries in Washington where I worked, I think the one in Newcastle is now a Morrisons, or was last tiem I heard, its all changed now, I try not to go to The Toon too often just now while I'm trying to save money.
Sue

doddsy

The people I care about, and care what they think of me, would be pleased that I am being careful with my money. The person I referred to is just someone I know, and as he is rather 'outspoken' it made me wonder how many other people think like him.

Thanks for the tips about Savers and Wilkos. Unfortunately they are way over the other side of town from the bus stop so when carrying a lot of shopping it is not practical for me to get there. On the same day I got 20 HUGE tomatoes, a carrier bag of bananas and 2 bags of seedless grapes for £3 I bet he wouldn't be seen round the market either!!

RacyRed

I get driven nuts because I read on here about all the wonderful bargans you find but I cannot get to many of the value stores easily .

These days if I see someone with a Lidl or Asda bag I have to stop myself from rushing up and asking if a new branch has opened nearby. As for pound shops or similar? Those shops have long been replaced by the sorts of fancy deli where the ingredients for a simple meal will cost you £20 or so.

Within walking distance I have a Morrisons (yay) Woolworths, 2 x Iceland, 1 big and 2 small Sainsburys, Waitrose and a small Tesco. Asda don't even do home delivery here; I live in north London ! Recently we heard that a large supermarket was to be opened as part of a nearby re-development and I kept my fingers crossed, but it is going to be another Tesco, probably an average sized one - no room for the car parks needed for a really big one.

I suppose the point I'm making is that if you spot someone eyeing up your carrier bag, don't assume they are looking down their noses at it, it could be the opposite.

On a practical note, there is a green and economical way to avoid carrier bag problems, you can find it HERE

Hermia

I don't give a monkeys what people think. The funny thing is that I have got abuse from friends/colleagues over carrying posh carrier bags, not poundland ones! I am a good moneysaver, but I do buy expensive shoes because in my experience they are worth the extra money because they are comfortable and look good for years. I also buy Clinique skincare because I have appalling skin (I was born with various skin conditions) and Clinique suits me best (I have tried almost every skincare range on the planet - I should write a book!). But, if I come back from the shops with a carrier bag with an expensive name on it I do sometimes find myself the target of, "It's alright for some" comments and people implying that I'm a mug to pay for a designer name. It really annoys me because I am pretty frugal in other areas of my life and anyway, it's my hard-earned money and I should be allowed to do what I like with it. Unfortunately working-class can be just as snobbish as rich people in my experience.

The only time I would be embarrassed about what I'd bought is if it went against my beliefs. I'm very into buying organic, free-range, humanely farmed, farmer-friendly food because I am concerned with how farm animals are treated and also how farmers are treated by the supermarket chains. On a couple of occasions I've had to buy something that is battery-farmed because nothing else is available and I did feel a bit guilty!

KraftyKate_2

Sarahsaver wrote:

I thought it was the wealthy ones who rarely buy new clothes, and turn up in LIdl and aldi when theres a sale on, in their landrovers, covered in dog hair LOL. I know some really wealthy people in a big house in the country and they shop at lidl, probably why they have money.

My thoughts entirely, Sarah. You should see the array of "posh" cars lined up in our local Netto car park!

I think it shows a confident attitude and a sense of being comfortable in your own skin if you don't worry about what other people think, but it can be a hard thing if you (or worse!) your kids are involved with people who are label conscious! The very fact that so many people are having a conversation about this subject is very positive! Happy Easter to y'all moneysavers!! :beer:

Queenie

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread!!!

I could never let the neighbours think that I was in such dire straits that I couldn't afford to get Ocado to deliver anymore.

:think: Do you believe they would think that? Or, is that simply how *you* would think if a neighbour of yours were to come home carrying a Lidl bag?

To be really honest, your concerns about how others may/may not perceive your shopping habits is a very sad sign of how our culture has turned on it's head.

Years ago, people may hang their head in shame due to the frailties of human nature, extremes such as, sex before marriage; unwanted pregnancy; being arrested; being in debt; debtors court/prison; or to a lesser extent, making a social blunder/faux pas; dishonourable behaviour; lack of basic good manners and even, uncouth language. Amazing how many no longer view those as "shameful" in comparison. Today, it's the stigma of brand label shame. (!!????)

Yes, our mothers/grandmothers/great grandmothers had their "standards" which they endeavoured to "maintain" but at least they were never too "proud" to shop where they would get the very best value for their hard earned cash! Their "standards" were not geared around who shopped where

I can only speak for myself, but, OS is more than just getting the cheapest lemon - for me, it's also about OS "values".

I could choose to go out and do a weekly shop at Waitrose, right this minute! (Ok, I'll need to use the credit card, but at least the neighbours will have an overt symbol of perceived wealth )
Or, I could choose to go out and do a whole months worth of shopping from somewhere such as Lidl, pay cash and have a few bob left over for my savings account. And I'll still have my integrity to boot

gravitytolls

Ditto all who talk about the posh cars in Lidl's. It's full of 'em, and businesses too.....B&B's, old folks homes, the local deli cafe, all shop in Lidl's cos they're cheaper than wholesalers on so many items, like olive oil, puddings, veggies etc.

I have friends who wouldn't shop in Lidl either, cos they think it tells people they're 'council house people', her words not mine.

The fact is, that no one really cares, and those that do, aren't people you want to be pals with anyway....the ones that talk about you behind your back because you're wering last years label, or objected to your choice of holiday or whatever.

Kraftykate's got it, be comfortable in your own skin.

Sarahsaver

I feel more uncomfortable in the food section of M&S, get some really arrogant people in our local ! :rolleyes:
My chic shopper has no logo on it and my kids think its cool that mummy has a granny bag;)

nik0510

:j hi, just to say that i was a bit snobby about using aldi/lidl, no more, living here in germany well those 2 shops are the mainstay of shopping, they are well used and are dead cheap and good, although must say most shoppers use either plastic crates or wicker shopping baskets, very few people buy plastic bags, you can actually get sack bags which you can obviously re-use. well impressed, way ahaead of our supermarkets, do'nt miss tesco/sainsburys at all only george at asda for our childrens clothes. good threat by the way. happy easter to all.