FOOD SHOPPING FOR A FAMILY - ISH

cath-w

So more saving tips for you. to help.

- buy in bulk. Get down to aldi etc. and buy beans, sugar, salt, pasta, flour etc in bulk. Much much cheaper.

- start a price list. Boring I know, but then you can see what is cheap. If you know cereals are 20p per hundred grams at supermarket A when you are in supermarket B then you can check the price to see if it cheaper. Also helps to calcualte is 'special offers' really are worth it.

- instead of using kitchen roll or j-cloths use old t-shirts etc. Cut them up and re-wash and re-use etc.

- do not buy tin foil or cling flim, pick up some cheap tupperware and re-use this for sandwiches

- I have a 6 week meal planner - took me a while to create, but really helps. It is a shopping list for the week and a list of basics so that I know what to buy when I get to the supermarket for what meals will be cooked. It is the only way I have found so that we do not throw away loads of food at the end of the week.

- we make our own bread

- switch from meat to some subsitutes for certain meals as they are they are usually cheaper. e.g. lentils instead of minced beef etc.

- make you own cleaning products from white vinegar, soda and essential oils.

- buy bulk, cheap shampoo and soap.

- buy cheap washing power for the machine and only use 1/2 the reccommended dose (unless clothes are really dirty)

- some supermarkets charge for plastic bags and so take a re-useable bag with you.

Hope these help

C.

Mrs_Thrift

Something myself and Mr (Nearly) Thrift have been doing recently is cutting down on the size of portions we serve up. We realised we'd been piling our plates high then eating it just because it was there, and ending up feeling uncomfortably full after a meal.

Some things we've cut down a little, a bit less pasta or fewer potatoes, and some things we've cut in half - only one chicken breast thing each instead of two, then maybe a bit more veg instead.

Just don't do what I did the other night - made chilli con carne, served about two thirds (would usually eat it all between us) and put one third aside to cool before freezing it to go with baked potatoes at another time..... then forgot about it and left it sitting out all night. :-[ NOT very money saving!

System

Brilliant tips Cath. I never thought about visiting Aldi and writing down prices of the basic stuff. Mind you i cant really be trusted in a supermarket so i would have to send in Mr Judi.

halloweenqueen_2

Just wondering if I did something wrong with the laundry gloop - wasn't happy with how clean clothes were - but won't waste it - use it for washing towels etc

System

My sincere condolences for your lost. "To live in our hearts is not to die".

I found that cutting out chips and sticking to new potatoes makes a lot of difference to bringing the cost down and also it's a lot healthier. I also buy carrots/brocolli/cauliflower in vast amounts and cut them in pieces and freeze them. So when it comes to cooking vegatables, I just defrost the amount I need and therefore waste little. Also if you can, plan ahead you weekly meals as this way when you do your shop only buy what you need. It does require a little more organising but it will become 2nd nature soon.

All the best.

Nikiya

My condolences.
Just a tip that might be useful:
I do not find shopping in farm's markets cheap, but that might depend on the area. What I do find convenient is Turkish or Asian greengrocers, particularly for things like tomatoes, lemons, aubergines, root vegetables, herbs, etc.
If you like using parsley and have a little garden, it is very easy to grow (even the flat leaf one). Otherwise, buy two or three big bunches at any Asian/Portuguese/ Italian retailer (much cheaper than those ridiculous packages at the supermarket), wash it, spin it, chop it in the food processor and keep in the freezer. It is very practical to cheer up sauces, pies or tarts (not salads, unfortunately).

System

A really good read if you are serious about cutting back on costs, is 'The Tightwad Gazette'.

I'm reading it again for the sixth time (it's nearly 1000 pages long!).

You will probably only be able to get it on Amazon as it is an American book. I can't recommend it highly enough!

Chipps

I second that. Would definitely recommend Tightwad Gazette - although it is a US book, so many of the actual examples are not relevant, Amy Da-whatshername says that she is really showing principles that can be used in any situation - as opposed to a book which is just a list of hints and tips. Brilliant book, my copy is so dog-eared!

16011996

Halloweenqueen, the laundry gloop is good but not on stains, although have found rubbing a bit in, leaving for an hour shifed tomato sauce.

Was away for a week last week in a self catering cottage, and found it cheaper than I expected. (the cottage was already paid for so seemed a waste not to go). We travelled down on the Saturday and got to the nearest town about 8pm so went in to the tesco there. Got lots of late night bargains of reduced stuff as I knew there was going to be a freezer in the house so that helped lots. Bought some ecomony uht skimmed milk which you can keep in the cupboard and is cheaper by miles per pint, and healthier too and good as the nearest shop to where we were staying was a good three miles away.

We had own brand weetabix every morning, plus either a croissant, or waffle which had been reduced to 10p a pack. We made lunches everyday for going out, and we made jellys which were cheaper than buying yoghurts.

Sounds a bit sad the next bit but for entertainment the best for us was a competition in the garden one night to see who could make the longest daisy chain. The kids never asked to watch tv once at night. We either walked or played ball or something and they were very happy. Which was nice because I was expecting to be nagged for things or to go out to places but they didn't.

Obviously we went out during the day to places but they were happiest running about in a park or at the beach than the day we went to a big swimming complex, where they were board after a couple of hours when the novelty wore off.

The other wonderful thing was we found a fair and there was a lady there selling home made jam, for about 60-70p a jar. Not as cheap as you can get it in the supermarket, but cheap considering the types she had. (Ginger marmalade, damson jam, blckberry jelly and proper lemon cheese, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm) Have brought this back but will have to hide it from the kids, but would definatley look for these again, makes a nice cheaper treat.

Ally

Dear 160, before I begin - my sincerest condolences to you and your children.

Now, here’s the money saving bit ;D. When you’re going late night shopping, you’ll find loads of veggies reduced (Savoy cab, carrots, bean shoots, mushrooms etc). Buy them, when you get home chop them all up and sort them into portions and freeze. Easy chow mein mix! Well, sort of :-/, takes time to chop everything up, but it can be made to be fun, with a little help from your kids and a pinch of imagination. Buying chow mein mixes in stores is so not worth it – this way you get to pick your own ingredients. When I used to do this I would get 10 good portions (meal size, for family of 3) every time for less than a fiver ;D. I agree with the other MSE, ethnic stores are cheaper for veggies when you buy in bigger amounts. Buy a big 10k or 20k sack of rice from there too.

Hope this helps. All the best to you and your children.

Ally :-*
Ps. just looked at my weekly shopping bill £150 (2 adults, 7 year old and 10 month old) ouch! Have been switching to healthier food and fair trade products – why, when the government complains about poverty, health and obesity does it cost more to buy products that can help to reduce/prevent these problems >:(??? A need for a serious rethink methinks! Anyway, off to rethink my shopping budget. ;D

excellent tips guys - big thank you to you all