Need advice on fortnightly shop

crube

Up until recently, myself and my wife would get a fortnightly shop at Tesco.com for around £80 but for various reasons that has now risen to over £100. The main reasons are that we try to buy a lot of healthy stuff including Innocent(fruit smoothies) which we feel we just can't do without anymore despite it's hefty £3 price tag. Also the discount codes are harder to come by, in our last 2 shops we have only got £5 off each of them. Up until recently we would usually get at least £10 off.

We buy quite a lot of fruit and veg, but usually only a weeks worth of some things and get the rest at our local market. There are 3 of us in the house(myself, wife and 3-year old son), plus we have a cat that we of course buy food and litter for.

I would really appreciate some advice on how to cut it down - ideally we'd like to be spending around £80 per fortnight, but definitely no more than £100. It seems the more healthier stuff we buy, the more it costs. When buying a lot of ready meals/pizza etc we could comfortably get to £80 but of course we want a balanced diet. We are prepared for the work of cooking things from scratch and freezing it etc, I would just like some pointers and for you to share your experiences of how much you spend etc. Many thanks. :beer:

EdinburghKev

I would suggest buying a £20 smoothie maker instead of inocent smoothies. I make smoothies each morning for my family using orange juice (can be any own brand not expensive). You can buy disconted strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, red berries etc and freeze them and add them to the smoothie and also add a banana. This will be the best smoothie you ever drink.

Also, if you have fruit picking near you its not to late to pick as much as you can and freeze it for your smoothies.

Can you learn to make pizza, its very easy and you can make great pizzas for about £1.00 a go. You can freeze pizza dough and also freeze the pizza sauce you make. How about making batches of risotto, bolognase or rice dishes as well. They are not too expensive to make and you could make enough for a few meals.

I just thought to myself at this rate you might need to spend £120 on a good chest freezer.

crube

Thanks for the reply :beer: Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, buying a smoothie maker. A few weeks ago we spent £30 on Innocent, which is way too much. My wife makes really good pizza, I can learn too I guess. Plus, that will make it more unlikely we will get takeaways. In a 2-week period we will usually get at least 2 takeaways, either Pizza or an Indian. Thanks again. :beer:

Jakejakejake

www. compare supermarket prices .co .uk
(Sorry, its filtering the link so thats what the website is)

The site lets you compare prices from Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsburys.

Its updated weekly and if you sign up, you can add things to the basket, just like you would on an online shop - then it tells you the cheapest total from the 4 shops.

Hope That Helps

Jake

crube

Jakejakejake wrote:

http://!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/Default.aspx

This site lets you compare prices from Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsburys.

Its updated weekly and if you sign up, you can add things to the basket, just like you would on an online shop - then it tells you the cheapest total from the 4 shops.

Hope That Helps

Jake

Thanks, but what is the address? That link isn't working. Sounds great though. :beer:

tatts_2

tescos are selling packs of smoothie fruit mixes in the frozen section for a pound (4 packs inside a large pack)( banana and strawberry ,or red fruits.... I think) you could stock up on these and just add your own yoghurts etc , also good bases for making things like milkshakes,desserts, purees etc
The mixes are ready pulped fruit, just add your chosen ingrediants to make what you want!

they were also selling large frozen tubs of red berries,mixed berries and strawberries, for £1.00 (normally £1.99) dont know how much longer the offer is on for though ( been a while now)

or.... search for Innocent smoothie coupons to help get that bill down lol
(tried there website??? I signed up earlier today, they send news, freebies and coupons...apprarently!)

buy jar of sauces sauces ( curry, balti etc) (and turkey fillets? much cheaper than chicken!) to make a cheaper alternative to getting a indian take away .... doesnt take long to make, very quick and simple!

Pizzas.......get them on BOGOF, or from Icelands lol (bigger there!)
or make your own as someone suggested

if you have an open market near you that you get your fruit and veg etc from, try going near the end of the day, when they sell off huge boxes of stock at crazy prices! I used ot get huge boxes of bananas, strawberries, mangos and tomoatoes for just £1 a big box (the original packing box all the smaller trays come in?) great for freezing and using for all those homemade smoothies your going to make from now on lol

Sarahsaver

Look on the moneysaving old style board on this site. You will find loads of help and advice there. I managed to feed myself and 3 children on £20 a week. My main 2 pieces of advice - put the money in a separate purse in CASH and this will make you keep track of it much better, and don't buy anything processed, no nuggets, readymeals, cup-a-soup, biscuits. The only things I allow myself readymade are some of my bread (I make half, buy half) breakfast cereals and um...er... I think that's it. You can make huge savings as you are spending £100 for a fortnight. That is way too much! :rolleyes:

hammy_the_hammer

how about just shopping monthly but only buy the same amount as you did fortnightly ? (baldrick .."I have a cunning plan" )

crube

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, much appreciated! :beer:

veruccasalt

What about collecting Clubcard points instead of using money off codes. There is a code at present for 1500 points off a £100 shop. (XX-RPJD)
If converted to Deals, that equates to £60 off a holiday or furniture in the future. Might be better than the £5 cash you are able to get at present?

Dazzieboo

I usually spend about £50 a fortnight for the 3 of us, 1 adult, 2 children from either Tesco or Morrisons, but yesterday I tried Aldi and was quite amazed at some of the low prices. I wouldn't be able to do my whole shop there but there are some really good low prices which would be worth a separate trip.