Getting better at being stingy!!

loopyloulou_3

One of the main things I have found which has made a huge difference is planning my food shopping! I have been fairly good for 2 weeks running and now cant believe I used to go shopping without a list and just shop until the trolley was full!

I have managed to reduce my shopping (not as low as I want it, but I'm getting there). I used to spend about £120 on pay day then at least another £50 a week if not more! :eek:

Last week I went to Morrisons and spent £47 (I was budgeting for £25) and I have just ordered this weeks online to avoid the temptation of all the offers in store! and have got it down to £30 HORRAH! So although I am over budget, I am doing MUCH better than usual!

Also making the "menu" for the week makes my life so much easier - I dont have to spend ages each nite thinking what to cook!!! My OH even likes it and has offered to cook!!!!! Its a miracle! :j

thank you all for your help and advice, its these little things that make such a difference! :T

Emmzi

WELL DONE!

Progress, not perfection

Glad you seem to be having a better day!

jesster_2

Its' so true, isn't it? I also couldn't believe what a difference it makes planning your meals and sticking to a list. I spend around £20-25 a week now, and i'm sure I was spending around £60 before. And it's very true about taking ten mins at the start of the week to plan your meals, and then you don't have to think too much later in the week when you're tired back from work. Saves time AND money! I get my weekly organic veg box and base the meals around using them up. (Like Ready Steady Cook!)

Since I started doing this I have not thrown out a single thing because it had gone off before I used it, and that used to happen all the time. I used to tell myself: it's not waste because I COULD have eaten it, I just chose not to. What a loser!

And other things that i've pinched off the OS board, like using much cheaper cleaning products, and halving the amount of washing powder you use and replacing with cheaper soda crystals.

marybishop

Hi guys. Planning meals has made a big difference to me too. Also changing where I shop (used to be Waitrose, now Tesco) and buying value brands (after checking they really are cheaper than own brands, etc) has helped big time too. I used to spend ages gazing in the fridge/cupboards thinking what can I make with this lot so having it all planned out makes life so much easier. And going on this site daily to see what everyone else is doing to cut back has been brilliant - it just helps knowing there are so many people out there all in the same boat paddling like crazy to stay afloat!

Thanks everyone.

M

vixxen

I've started doing the same and have cut our food bills down by approx. £100 per month. We're eating a lot healthier now to boot so all in all this site is helping my diet as well as my bank balance!!

silverelephant

I was so surprised to find that I could cut my food bills down as much, we used to spend £70 a week on "food" and I couldn't see how I could ever spend less (There are only 2 adults and one cat!) However it's amazing what happens when you stick to the food aisles in asda instead of the homewares/music/dvd sections :rotfl: We now budget £40 per week which is still a lot but to be honest we tend to only spend between £20-30 and use the leftover as spare cash like for paying the windowcleaner who I always forget about If we're honest though, we do sometimes get a takeaway once a week so that's normally where the spare food money goes but the way I figure is it's budgeted for and you have to keep your sanity as well as paying off your debts

desperatelyseekingmoney_2

I agree with you all, I spend a bit of time every Sunday and plan what meals we are going to have for the following week and it has made a huge difference to our grocery bill.

One thing I don't understand is how can people afford to go online and have groceries delivered at £4 - £5 a go! Surely it would be more economical to go yourselves and that way you may be able to get items cheaper (ie if an item is reduced that you were going to buy).I know the temptation would be there to spend more but if you were that strict with yourselves and only buy whats on your list, surely you would spend less?

crazyscientist

silverelephant wrote:

it's amazing what happens when you stick to the food aisles in asda instead of the homewares/music/dvd sections :rotfl:

That is so true!! I made OH pay for his own 'extras' instead of out of joint a/c last week and he was shocked to find it cut our 'food' bill by £30!!!

Emmzi

desperatelyseekingmoney wrote:

One thing I don't understand is how can people afford to go online and have groceries delivered at £4 - £5 a go! Surely it would be more economical to go yourselves and that way you may be able to get items cheaper (ie if an item is reduced that you were going to buy).I know the temptation would be there to spend more but if you were that strict with yourselves and only buy whats on your list, surely you would spend less?

When I havent shopped with asda ofr a bit they send me a free delivery voucher, and then I stock up on heavy / large things I don't want to carry - long life milk, loo roll, lots of value brand tins.. very useful and saves petrol!

earwig

i used to spend 100.00 in sainsburrys then a futher 70.00 durring the week i know ready made meals and those offers eat your money now i only buy whats on my list and if its a bogof on my list great if not i look at it as money wasted and dont buy it as i dont need it and now i spend 50.00 in sainsburrys and about 30.00 during the week thats for 2 adults and two kid one of which is in nappys i know it still a bit high but next to what i used to spend but it still a 90.00 saving a week

looneyleo

Hi,

This is one area I need to improve on! I do find writing a list helpful and planning meals for the week is great...saves all that "what do you fancy...I don't know what do you fancy? shall we get a take-away?"

However, still spending much more than the moneysavers here!
March's food bill: £350.04
April's food bill: £396.13 (included large bill for son's 1st birthday party!)

This doesn't include any take aways or meals out as I count them as socialising - we don't go out drinking or anything else. (£92.05 for month). It does include all domestic products and toiletries

There are 2 adults and one 3 year old (out of nappies) and one 1 year old. We do cook most things from scratch (hubby is a former chef) but buy reduced ready meals (cottage pies/lasagna etc) when available.

I think our biggest downfall is popping to the co-op for a pint of milk, which can cost £10.00 when finished! Also, very conscious of the quality of food I serve and don't want to buy c*** just because it's cheaper...i.e. high in fat, salt, sugar etc

Will try harder...good luck everyone else!