Hi All- what else can i do?

JulieGeorgiana

cleggie wrote: »

JulieGeorgiana,
no you didnt come accrossa s rude, dont worry, lol!
Thanks for the tips on how to make them last longer as well, that should save me some money!

I did my weekly shop for £22.08n today!!! I have said that on every one of my threads, i am so so pleased with myself!! I have NEVER spent so little on a weekly shop before in my life!!

Well done you :T

You should be proud... it's amazing what a little determination can do x

Linda32

cleggie wrote: »

Are there any other things i can do to get my groceries any cheaper do you think?

Hi, I know I answered earlier, but what about Martin's Downshift Challege? Reading further on I see you use Aerial Gel. I've never used this but used to use the powder.

I now use Basic Laundry Liquid, the only difference I can see is its only 98p a bottle and not such a strong smell as Aerial.

If your not familiar with the Downshift Challenge. Is where you down shift a brand. You try it once and see how you get on, if you don't like it then you switch back again.

HTH

shopndrop

cleggie wrote: »

I also know that next weeks food bill will be more as the kids are on half tem, so will be aving lunches at home too (they have FSM at school).

I always buy the veg on offer in Aldi - this week they are 39p and make lots of soup at the weekend and freeze it for during the week. A lovely warming tasty meal all week. My particular favourite is when they have parsnips on offer (this week) and I make a parsnip and apple soup quite cheaply.
I always have a variety of soup in the freezer so no 2 days are the same.

cleggie

Hi All, thanks for the help so far!

Thanks Juliegeorgiana- i was really pleased with myself!

Linda32- i have already done the downshift challenge with everything except areil gel..i tried a cheaper brand yesterday and ended up in the local hospital all day with an allergic reaction, lol!! Think i'll stick with the ariel excel gel for now!

Shopndrop- sounds like a lovely soup..could you pass the recipe on to me pleeease?

rachbc

sounds like you are doing brilliantly already - we spend similar/ slightly more for 2 adults, a hollow 12 yo and 3 yo. There will always be someone who spends (or says they spend) less than you but its not a competition its about reaching a level thats right for your family. Lentils in mince were a step too far for mine, but lots of veg seems to be ok as are meatfree mondays. Am about to introduce one super cheap night a week and see how that goes.

I use ariel gel but half the amount.

I see from your sig that you have a large childcare debt - have you investigated childcare vouchers o try and reduce your bill?

cleggie

Thanks Rachbc- Tbh i dont think the lentil are working for us. The kids will (if nagged enough) eat the spag bol with them in, but i would rather leave them out and for us all to enjoy our food instead.
I normally have 2 meat free days a week, 1 being veggie curry and the other being sandwiches etc.

Do your clothes still come out clean enough with half the amount of Ariel?

In regards to the childcare debt- it was from a nursery that my youngest went to about 4 trs ago. The ownder is very nice and has been letting me pay of £5 a month since then, but now i am happy trying to clear it quicker at £100 a month.

Oldbiggles

cleggie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies,


Oldbiggles- i shop at Morrisons. I did used to shop at Lidl, dont know why i stopped really?? I will have to go Lidl next time i think and see what they have!

We have a choice in this area of Sainsburys,Tesco, Lidl, Coop and Morrisons, all within reach by car. Without doubt Morrisons has the best fresh fish counter and fresh meat counter of all of them.

Linda32

cleggie wrote: »

Linda32- i have already done the downshift challenge with everything except areil gel..i tried a cheaper brand yesterday and ended up in the local hospital all day with an allergic reaction, lol!! Think i'll stick with the ariel excel gel for now!

Whoops, best not then :eek:

TRYINGTOSWIM

sounds like you have reduced your budget as lot already. I keep trying and then end up buying more during the week, as I am finishing work next week then this will have to stop.
I often wonder what is the average spend per child/adult. I buy value almost everything,except meat but still spend about £100 week for a family of 5 adults(inc teenage sons) 1 child.

what is the average spend

Muesli

JulieGeorgiana wrote: »

But if you can't cut down the washing then just half the amount of gel you use... that's 1 month a bottle.

I don't know how true this is but I understood that you should use the dosage they say on the box because it prevents limescale building up in your machine. Not sure if this information comes from washing detergent manufacturers to ensure you use more though!