FOOD SHOPPING FOR A FAMILY - ISH

16011996

thanks (keep saying that a lot) for the latest tips, we have been trying savers brands, some are ok, others useless (i don't rate the washing up liquid for example, seem to have to use lots more for it to work). Do use mad about bargains site for the bogof offers, find it quite useful, and have had some vouchers off a site called wishvalue. Keep them coming though, this money saving is quite addictive now, so any more ideas gratefully recieved,

160

terrierlady

;)do you have a few mates that shops elsewhere?
go for 2 for price of I offers and split it if you dont like cheaper brands.
we have a group of six women who buy the offers then do a sort out , we stick to a list of named items and each shops in different shops usally the cheaper ones , we cheek our way around ;Dby negotiating on prices and love the local market etc for fruit and again split all the spoils.
we also have fun and have just started a money lending co-op.

Mrs_Thrift

A conversation I've just had (in "real life" for a change!) has just reminded me of somthing else that might help you, 160 - WASH LESS!! ;D

I'm not really a dirty girl, honest! But I recently had my hair coloured (NOT a moneysaving idea!) but to keep the colour in good condition I've stopped washing my hair every day and now only wash it every other day. I also try and use the minimum amount of shampoo too, to save my hair AND money!

I've realised how little shampoo I actually need to wash my hair compared to how much I used to use, so I'm now trying to be aware how much face cleanser, bodywash, etc. I use and only use the minimum I really need.

And I never buy toiletries unless they're on offer if I can help it. I find Sainsbury's good for BOGOFs on good brands of shampoo and conditioner as well as other discounts on toiletries and sanitary towels, etc. All things you can stock up on and cram into the cupboards until you need them!

I know Sainsbury's is generally quite expensive, but I use them for my Monday morning shop to stock up on the food we need for work (as we work at the same place) and most of my toiletries (because it's nice and quiet at 8am so I can actually get to the shelves) because it's the only place close enough to get to between dropping Mr Thrift off and getting to work myself. And, no, I couldn't organise myself to buy the stuff on a Sunday!

Using less product works with washing powder and washing up liquid, too.

It might not seem like it'll make a huge difference but it all adds up. I must be using less than half the shampoo each week than I was until recently.

rafi_2

Great thread, haven't been able to read the whole thing yet, but the tips are brilliant so far.

I'm in the same boat as 160 but also lost my job at the same time. After part time being offered as I didn't think I could cope with full time then, one of the bods came up from London and said No way, no continuity with part time, full time or nothing!

Then the cat died too

Anyway to hit a brighter note - the replies to 160 have been great and help me too. Thanks everyone.

I find when I can get to Costco, it's great for huge amounts of toilet rolls - good quality too and for other things that you can buy in bulk. You still have to watch the prices because some can be not much less than you can get on reduced prices elsewhere. If anyone likes Bonne Maman jam they do 2 huge jars together for not much more than the little ones outside.

We don't have much in the way of markets here so they're not really available but we do have Aldi, Farmfoods etc and Asda. Tesco too but the staff in ours put you off, not very friendly! Won't stop me taking their vouchers in though.

Have gone on to the energy efficient light bulbs and they seem OK and last longer. Also our phone is through British Gas and seems very cheap - I just grudge BT the huge amount they charge for the line only! I got a notebook and now enter every call I make, name, no. and time each day. You can instantly see when the bill comes in if there's any extra calls on it. I noticed 2 calls for the same number entered a second or two apart when I had only tried the number once. They deleted the charge for one of them. (nit-picking!)

I find too that if I make a list and stick to it and get food for several meals at once - in the supermarket - it saves impulse buys, unless its bogof or something, then avoid going near the shop again. What you don't see ........

Please keep the ideas coming!

R

System

Or you can do what we are doing this evening for tea.  Last night, my husband went out for a big celebratory meal with his work mates now the job has come to an end.  I made a drink first thing and went to the fridge to find this huge paper carrier bag full of Indian takeaway containers full of food!!!
When i rang him i asked what they were and he said it was a huge doggy bag.  We dont have a dog, i reminded him, and he said it was for our tea.  They are all in the foil containers, and he assures me they havent even been opened.  Towards the end of the night they were just giving food away apparently, so he bought loads back.

If we are all sick i have told him i will divorce him. ;D

System

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss but hope that all the response you've had on this thread has helped ease the burden.

I'm a single parent and have found this thread useful too. I've just read the message about phone calls - I've followed Martin's advice found elsewhere on this site about telephone call providers and since I altered my BT bill to the very basic plan they do, and then signed up with 18866 (you register on-line for free at https://www.18866.co.uk) I cannot believe how little I pay for my calls every month. Instead of having a monthly bill of around £35 it is now less than half that and I don't have to think about how much a call is costing. Can't recomend it enough.
I too buy food stuffs from the 'bargain' bin at the end of the day to put into the freezer. And now I've 'trained' myself to stick to my shopping list and meal planner, as well as only buying the bogof offers on items that I use (not bought just becuase they are on offer as I used to do in a previous life, lol) it makes a huge difference to the money in my purse. I only shop for clothes in charity shops - I do begrudge paying full price for skirts or jeans these days. I have also bought the Tesco Value T shirts at £2.50 each which even if they only wash and wear for the summer at that price I don't mind! My son is yet to reach the age of wanting 'designer' trainers or clothes but he now earns his pocket money, by doing small jobs around the hosue, on a daily basis which helps him to see his money 'grow' and he is learning mot only how to save up for the latest DVD or play station game but that if you want something in this life you have to work for it. This has also stopped him constantly nagging me for this and that when we are out, so it all becomes more less stressful for the pair of us.

I'll pass on some advice a friend gave to me: please remeber to treat yourself every once in a while and, more importantly, don't feel guilty about doing so - you're worth it!

hugs
Pyjamas

16011996

To Rafi, all my love and hugs, know what you been through, and my thoughts are with you.

When I started this thread I hoped i might get a couple of answers with some tips, but it has been fantastic and I can't thank all of you enough.

I reckon I am saving about £50 a week now than before, and hopefully if I get some other bits sorted that will go up.

Ms Thrift, I do only wash my hair every other day, but another tip for saving shampoo is to have your hair cut short, I did just after my husband died, it now washes and drys in 10 mins and I need hardly any shampoo. Also, only condition it once a week, leave on for five mins wapped in a warm towel, is far more effective than doing every day/every other day. and when you shower always put shower gel on one of those puff ball things, you use far less than using it on your hands, i then use whats left in the puff thing to clean shower doors and rinse them off with shower. Means they are cleaned everytime anyone has a shower.

When washing up, use a medicene spoon to measure out fairy liquid, i put 5ml in my bowl (always wash up with a bowl, saves water, and if you have a pot sink like me, less pots break) rather than a squirt and reckon my bottle now lasts me twice as long, and still get as many suds.

System

One idea to add to all the excellent tips on this page: always shop on a full stomach. It is surprising how being hungry in a food store can lessen your resolve!

Abbi_2

I second that. When I used to live in Canada my husband and I were at least 1/2 an hour away from the supermarkets etc, and we only used to shop once a month, and I like most people love food shops, and like most men my husband doesn't. Therefore to lessen his agony he used to take me to lunch before we shopped, to my favorite place, thus I was stuffed and wanted to get home and into tracksuit bottoms as fast as possible!

Mrs_Thrift

Hi Rafi,

So sorry to hear of your loss and everything you're facing at the moment. I'm glad the site has been able to help and I hope it continues to do so.

Best wishes,

Ms Thrift