FOOD SHOPPING FOR A FAMILY - ISH

16011996

Hello,

Well did first shop with all your tips last night. Had a sit down first and made a list, and weird thing was my daughter asked what I was doing (i never write shopping lists) and she said she'd rather have sandwiches for packed lunch than dairylea things she has now (that will save quite a bit) and that if possible could we get her a flask so she can take water if she feels like it, instead of cartons of juice all the time, or put bottled juice in, so its not always the same. From the mouths of babes as they say.

Went quite late and got some really cheap bread which I have frozen, and some croissants which were 10p for 4 so a treat in there as well for Sunday morning. Bought some meat and veggies reduced due to date to make meals up, so that'll be my job for tonight. Also got some carrots that were reduced to 20p a pack, got two packs, when I got to the till it knocked of 23p as they were buy one get one half price or something, so will be looking out for those from now on. Also bought 6 packs of toilet rolls (4 pack) as they were half price and i have put them under bed, and called at corner shop on way home to get a paper and found kitchen rolls half price so bought four packs of these. Figuered will save me money in the long run, hope I got this right.

I bought own name cereal and no one seemed to notice this morning, and also economy beans and things like that, so will have to wait and see if they notice that.

My shopping bill was about a quarter less than it usually is for a week (even including all the toilet rolls) and I reckon we can last for a week and a half with what I have, maybe even a fortnight at a pinch.

Thanks, for all your tips, ifanyone has anymore, please let me have them, really enjoyed the challenge of this and am determined to do even better next time,

Thanks again, and thanks for all your condolences, you are all really nice friendly people, wasn't sure what sort of response I'd get, but you been wonderful,

;D

System

Dunno whether your prepared to do this, i have just bought a pack of J Cloths. I intend to use them instead of using kitchen roll. J Cloths can be washed over and over again, unlike kitchen roll.

16011996

Just when I bought 12 kitchen rolls, but is good idea, washer on most days, and am sure have some somewhere in the depths under my sink. Also a tip for anyone else, just been shown how vinegar and lemon juice on a mirror rubbed with newspaper makes it shine and there were no smears either. Much cheaper than glass cleaners. Does anyone else have any cleaning tips?

System

bleach in the bathroom, although i use vinegar sometimes for limescale buildup.

In the kitchen i find that normal vinegar is good for grease. Sometimes i use salt instead of a scourer, but not on the cooker as it takes the shine off.

Soda crystals you can buy from any hardware store or supermarket will halve the amount of washing powder you need to use in your wash, and also is useful in the dishwasher.

Check out this site, its brilliant!!

http://www.gaia-exchange.sunmaia.net/

16011996

Thanks Judi, love the website you suggested, will be having a bash at the washing powder alternative, we go through loads of it. Quite fancy the shower gloop too, as we have sensitive skin, sounds good.

::)

System

Thanks Judi, love the website you suggested, will be having a bash at the washing powder alternative, we go through loads of it. Quite fancy the shower gloop too, as we have sensitive skin, sounds good.

::)

If you get round to doing the laundry gloop, its best if you put it in the drum itself rather than the dispenser.

lswwong

Hi 16011996 (& other posters on this thread)!

So glad to hear your new style shopping trip went well! Fantastic. Also very happy to hear that your family is settling well into the new buying decisions i.e. own brand cereals, etc. I used to live in a Jewish neighbourhood where there is also a 24hrs Tesco nearby. Jewish folks are keen money savers and they love looking for a bargain in Tesco during the wee hours/evenings too. At times, there was a party atmosphere in the supermarket because of this!

Just wanna add to Judi's economical cleaning tips. Rubbing the cut side of a lemon cut in half on your stove and its various bits and pieces is the easiest and most effective way to clean off burnt, greasy bits. Just leave the bits to react with the acid for a while and then scrub with Jif or some scouring product and then rinse. I also use squeezed out lemons/limes (which were used for cooking) to rub chopping boards and the sink in order to deodarise them. Just rinse with hot water. Very effective.

Lots of tips in Kim & Aggie's "How clean is your house" book. They are the queens of lemons, vinegar, and soda crystals! (Check Amazon Marketplace for a cheap 2nd hand copy.)

All the best.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

16011996

Judi,

Made the laundry gloop at weekend, put it drum as you said, can't belive somehing so easy to make made clothes so clean, and soft too. Recommend this to anyone. Is fab stuff.

Thanks for the tip, think i'll try shower gloop next w/end.

16011996

further to the above, just been having potter through cupboards this morning to get a list ready for shopping, and even though I spent less on food last week, I have more left and don't think i'll need to go till end of week. Don't seem to have eaten any less either. Can't quite believe it.

deronda

If you eat marmalade it is much cheaper to make your own. It is very easy if you buy the Marmade tins and you just then need to buy sugar. It makes 6lbs (about 6 1/2 jars) for about £2.50. Most shops own brands are about 75p per jar!