new to os money- spending too much on shopping

Blairweech

Does anyone know what the difference actually is between the juice that's in the chilled section (both the tetra packs and the big 2 litre milk-type cartons) and the stuff thats on the shef?

scaredy_cat_2

"I am thinking about trying out our local farm shop as the prices seem to be a good bit cheaper than the supermarket" (don't know how to do quote bit?)

our weekly market in town has little farmer stalls with caulis for say 50p etc. I'm in devon. Also try farmers markets often monthly in a particular area but each weekend (does that make sense?) and here if you are out somewhere you can find tables outside village houses selling - my mum picked me up runners, a squash, a cabbage, carrots, field mushrooms, and some cooking apples for £3.20!! so will make cabbage and potato bake, with runners and a squash and carrot soup!! and i didn't even have to pay which makes them even tastier.

I have to say how great this is (think keep saying it) sometimes being thrifty particularly because of debt can be a tad lonely so great to discuss stuff with people who have been there done that for whatever reasons My food bill for july was over £850 (inc cleaning and toiletries) and for august was £350 so thanks for advice and motivation.

Chipps

Hi
I was wondering how you store your potatoes, as you say they don't last long. Do you keep them in a plastic bag? If so, they will go all sweaty & yukky & go bad quickly. They should be stored in something like a paper sack, or cardboard box in a cool place in the dark, they should last for absolutely ages.
I weaned my crew on to UHT skimmed milk, which can be stored in a cupboard - saves on fridge space & running out of milk & popping to the shop then buying far too much stuff.
Also orange juice can be bought that way - it's much cheaper, & doesn't need to be in the fridge. Lidl & Aldi both also do a very nice orange juice with "bits in" in a glass bottle which doesn't need refrigeration, that is nearly as cheap as the cartons.
As you say you need to follow recipes, have a look round the OS board for recommended recipe books that are economical. One example I can think of "off the top of my head" is the More with Less cookbook by Doris Janzen Longacre.

bobbadog

Chipps wrote:

Hi
I was wondering how you store your potatoes, as you say they don't last long. Do you keep them in a plastic bag? If so, they will go all sweaty & yukky & go bad quickly. They should be stored in something like a paper sack, or cardboard box in a cool place in the dark, they should last for absolutely ages.

Ahhh! That explains it! My Grandad always has sacks of potatoes around, and they never seem to go off - whereas my plastic bagged ones set root within a week. Top tip, will definitely be trying it - you're a star x

rjh090384

i ususlaly take mine out of plastic bag...oh shouts at me if i dont cause he is an "expert"having worked on a fruit and veg stall. i am slowly working my way through the cupboards and amking random meals and i cooked meat for the first time the otehr day
kebabs and ribs!!! yay me!!!

Sarahsaver

Well done you;) :beer:

chloe99_2

about the milk - i think you should keep a milk diary for say 2 weeks and tot up how much you drink on average per week - then when you go to the supermarket for your main shop make sure you buy enough. Either freeze it (put them in a carrier bag in case of any leaks) - I've had no problems with freezing milk and it tastes the same thawed, just make sure you get your new one out in good time as it takes approx 24hrs to thaw at room temp. Or buy as much as you can for the fridge and then get the uht cartons for topping up instead of going to the corner shop (not ideal if you're not that keen on the stuff but if you really want to stop the impulse buying then this will work!!!) Hope this helps.

V.Lucky

I have an organic box once a fortnight and when I have lettuce in it it lasts a good two weeks in the fridge. Never worked out why though!

When I worked long hours (pre child) I used to come home from work, put chicken, potatoes and veg into the electric steamer then go and relax by having a bath, 40/50 mins later dinner would be ready. I used to prepare the veg in the morning so just popped it in when I got home.

Didn't feel like I was slaving over a hot stove and we ate a nutritious meal too.

RubyMurray

itsmylife wrote:

Hi I'm in NI too... I don't think there are any dedicated Halal Butcher's in Northern Ireland as we have such a small Muslim community here compared to other parts of the UK. I hear all these people talking about how cheap Asian supermarkets are and am disapointed that we don't seem to have anything like that here...

I don't know about other supermarkets but Asda have a halal meat section and the meat always seems cheaper than the 'standard' aisle prices. As it's quite a small section I always feel bad for buying it in case I'm depriving someone who actually needs it!