Shopping every day to save money?

strawberrypud

Does anyone do this? I try getting organised for the week ahead but always end up going out to pick up things I have forgotten or run out of and end up buying more stuff as well. So I was wondering if abandoning a weekly big shop would work and as they did in the old days just popping out every day to pick up what I need for dinner that night and breakfast and lunch the next day would a)work and b)work out cheaper?

What do you think? Does anyone do this?

life_in_termoil

Suppose it depends on which shops you would be using, how you got there (walk, bus or drive) and whether you would stick to a list and not be tempted to buy anything else.

Fruball

I can see the pros of this as you can really take advantage of whoopsies but it would drive me insane shopping daily! Most of my days are NSDs these days.

Maybe shop every couple of days, get the Aldi supersix deals and top up with whoopsies when you see them, freeze if necessary.

I went shopping last night just for a few bits and ended up with loads of whoopsied cheese which I have portioned and frozen, some sopocka (like ham) which I have also frozen to use in a pie with turkey or chicken another time, and some mixed bags of onion bhajis/pakoras etc - everything was massively reduced so I have saved loads as I would have bought all these things normally anyway, except for the bhajis but I will keep these in the freezer until I get a craving for Indian food, will bung them in the oven and save myself the £10 or so on a takeaway

chewy62

I have started trying this myself, allowing £10 a day and then £40 once a week for the bigger items that you can only get from supermarkets.
I walk past our local shop on the way to school every day so its easy to pick up things for each nights meal and they always have reduced meat etc.
Good luck!!!!

Linda32

It might work, as long as you can stick to exactly what you need, not want IYSWIM

These always the basics that are needed though, you know, like washing powder etc, tea, coffee etc which you don't need to buy everyday.

I know I am guilty of not buying enough for the week (I shop once a week) and nipping into the co-op for a few bits, and although I am strict, I do beleive its those "bits" that add up.

I'd say, give it a go, but keep an eye on things, closely.

Justamum

I would end up spending more. I've recently typed up a 'master list' for shopping - basically a list of everything I have or should have in my cupboards, fridge and freezer, plus bathroom. I then go through it each week and write down on a separate list what I need to buy for that week. I've found in the past that there are things I've forgotten, so I've found this list invaluable. Especially as my memory is really going these days (probably menopausal!). Last night I put some cocoa on to heat up, then promptly forgot about it and went to make a phone call. It was only the smell of burning which alerted me. This morning I was making a birthday cake for my DD2 and only realised when I was licking the utensils that I'd forgotten to put sugar in!

dreamyd

We do a main shop on a Saturday/Sunday (average spend is about £30-35 as there's just two of us and a garden tiger), but I also check the whoopsies at the Mr T branch next to my railway station. I get there about 5ish, which seems to be the perfect time to pick up reduced fresh produce and things from the deli counter. Things have to be at least half price before I'll consider them.I can't carry a huge amount as I've got short train and bus journeys before reaching my front door. Most of the stuff is for the freezer or the store cupboard, and it's a cheap way of trying new things. I probably spend about another £15 on average per week.

Penelope_Penguin

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jenniewb

I shop daily. I find that I buy only what I eat rather then thinking "ohhh that'd be nice..." and then never get around to eating it. I also make sure I visit the reductions aisle first thing although reductions tend to be scarce when I get to the stores (10pm-11pmish).

I also find its a great way to watch what I eat, knowing I wont have piles of food sitting at home or that its harder to justify something which isn't on the diet-plan list I have. Its also easier to think about eating the more expensive items another day when I have the spare money and gives me something to keep to a budget for.

And its also a great deal easier to carry home on public transport with only one pair of arms and a heavy gym bag!

JulieGeorgiana

I do a menu plan, and then like Justamum I have a master list which I work through, and then add what I need for the specific menus. I used to go £10 - 15 over each week... now I come under every week, and there is no waste!

If I shopped daily it would drive me bonkers, and as I like to see what's on offer and get the best deal it would cost me far more to do a daily shop then a weekly shop!

Saying all that... I know I am super organised for my sins... and that this works for me. You have to do what works for you! So if I was you, and I was wasting money... I would try the new way for 1 month... if it doesn't work... then maybe doing a smaller weekly shop for basics and topping up 2/3 times a week from local shops might help (either way... to save money just make sure you stick to the list!!!)

Good Luck x

TravellingAbuela

A friend of my DD has started shopping daily. This was initially because her freezer broke down and she couldn't afford to replace it at the time. She found she was spending so much less just buying the food items she needed that she hasn't replaced the freezer. She does have a big shop every so often for cleaning stuff, toiletries, toilet rolls etc. Personally it would drive me mad going shopping every day (once a week is more than enough!) but it works for her and saves her money. I suppose it depends if it is quick and convenient to pop in and out of the supermarket on a daily basis.