Cut shopping bill in half

madmazza10

my husband is about to take early retirement and our income will drop dramatically. we usually spend about £130 a week at ocado online but decided to try lidl and aldi. we were pleasantly surprised how large the stores were and were able to get about 85% of our shop there.
We saved £50 compared to our usual shop at ocado and got our shopping for £70.
We got brand named goods mainly (which surprised us) and i am sure we can get the price down even more next week as this was our first attempt.
The fruit looked good and we got a large bag of pears, a large bag of apples, bunch of bananas and a large bag of oranges for less than £4.
Also got 2 nice looking frying steakes for £1.99.
Definitely worth the 3 mile trip to save £50 on a weeks shop.

pappydeb

I too shop at Lidle every week, have done for the past two years, I have found you do have to check bagged veg and fruit as they dont always check their displays, sometimes there can be bruising or something rotting in the bottom of the bag. I buy there own labels and to be honest they are as good if not better than the big brands.....their meat is exellent and a brilliant price 3 chicken breasts for £1.99. 2 serloin steaks £4.99.
I do a family shop for 6, £80 a week!!

madmazza10

wow! iv'e got a lot to learn. There is only 2 of us! didn't see the chicken for £1.99 but got the £5.99 pack.

Venusflytrap

It's just my hubby and I and we spend £130 per month on food and toiletries. In the last year I have been in 'Scrimp and Save' mode for some reason and feel we could still cut down.

We currently batch cook, take packed b/fast (muesli, sandwiches, oats) and lunches (homemade pasties, veggie curries, spag. bol, chili con carne, chicken stews) to work, eat out maybe once every 3 months etc.

Still, I need to be challenged! Anyone cooking just for two and spending less than £130 per month on groceries and toiletries? Pls post and pray tell how you do it!

Sorry... not hijacking your thread I hope!

Antispam

Wow £130 for two people. I spend less than £100 for 4 people and I dont shop at Lidl dont have one and rarely shop at Aldi because I cant do a full weeks shopping I do go occasionally though

Venusflytrap

Antispam wrote: »

I spend less than £100 for 4 people

Geez! £100 per month for four people? That's £6.00 per wk per person? Pls tell...

williacg

Venusflytrap wrote: »

It's just my hubby and I and we spend £130 per month on food and toiletries. In the last year I have been in 'Scrimp and Save' mode for some reason and feel we could still cut down.

We currently batch cook, take packed b/fast (muesli, sandwiches, oats) and lunches (homemade pasties, veggie curries, spag. bol, chili con carne, chicken stews) to work, eat out maybe once every 3 months etc.

Still, I need to be challenged! Anyone cooking just for two and spending less than £130 per month on groceries and toiletries? Pls post and pray tell how you do it!

Sorry... not hijacking your thread I hope!

You should keep an eye out for stores like Farmfoods, Heron, Home Bargains and Poundstretcher (that is if you have them in your area), they certainly give Mr Ts and Sainsburys a run for their money. I still do a shop at Tesco for certain items, but I have a list of things that I always buy at the above stores, I noticed the difference in my purse straightaway.

MrsBartolozzi

Venusflytrap wrote: »

Geez! £100 per month for four people? That's £6.00 per wk per person? Pls tell...

It was probably a reply to the OP who spends £130 per week for a couple rather than your post. I imagine antispam spends £100 per week?
But there is a menu plan for a family of 4 costing £100 for a month so it can be done!!
Maybe have a look over on the OldStyle board and join in the grocery challenge where you will meet other folk trying to rein in their grocery spending and sharing tips.

Venusflytrap

MrsBartolozzi wrote: »

It was probably a reply to the OP who spends £130 per week for a couple rather than your post.

We spend £130 per month not per week(!). This sum includes toiletries and cleaning products for the kitchen and bathroom as well.

The £100 per month for 4 challenge seems to only factor in food. Still, bet I can get some tips to reduce our spend even more.

Will check the old style board as well, thanks.

fishfins

I don't tend to shop at Aldi or Lidl, they're more awkward to get to for me but I really like some of the Asda smartprice things. The 23p packs of chocolate digestives are great as are the 77p 750g boxes of branflakes. Some stuff is horrible though like the cornflakes so you have to be a bit careful!

TravellingAbuela

If you are "Up North" look out for Jack Fultons (aka Fulton Foods) - frozen and fresh food, tins, packets, jars, bread etc. Most approaching their sell-by date but still perfectly fresh. I have had some really good bargains there. Breakfast cereals, for example, can be going on half the supermarket prices. They sell both known brands and some unknown brands which I tend to avoid.