August 2011 Grocery Challenge

highland_fling_2

Hello everyone,

had five friends over for supper last night. For the first time ever I bought T**co smart price tortilla chips to go with dips and they were fine. Don't think anyone noticed.

Did try to introduce smart price food into my shopping a few years ago but had a few bad experiences and it put me off the whole idea.

However I think I will try a few more smart price items again.
Does anyone have any particular favourite items they could recommend?
Any supermarket label would do as I am in the fortunate position that all the major supermarkets are in the town nearest me.

Only a small corner shop in our village so have to either order in or travel to supermarkets anyway. Usually call in on way home from work for main shopping as not only does it save on petrol but it also means I am usually lucky finding some whoopsies.

166million

166million wrote: »

I think I might squeeze an extra 95p out of the budget for this week to obtain some of the bargain Daisy washing tablets whilst they are going cheap. I will let you all know if I can get them.

Couldn't get the Daisy washing stuff for 95p as has been reported

Have spent £24.10 in total this week x

cookie9

Used up quite a lot of milk baking so needed a top up milk yesterday at 49p. Cursing myself as made muffins but forgot to add egg! Going to do a stocktake and write my lists. Should be a low spend week as just milk , veg and whole chicken needed. Have to visit family friend in couple of weeks for lunch so may use mr t vouchers as get double their worth to get some flowers for them.

quintwins

spent £4.92 in te$co i had to go cause i was completely out of loo roll, got some painkillers aswell and 2 packets of half price wispas and value crisps i had one of the kids with me so got a packet of mini scotch eggs for him to munch on

tea tonight is a gommon roast with mash mixed veg and gravy

69chick

Have updated sig as popped into T's, needed nappies and picked up the big pack of sugar puffs on offer as we are also out of the kids cereals and pasta sauce for mine and dh's tea tonight (had forgotten I have still got a cheapy jar in though, but I did get one I love as the Lloyd grosman ones are on offer..also picked up savoury rice, noodles, biscuits and crisps and squeezy yogurs for pack ups,value mousses (that showed on the shelf at 30 something pence but are actually 27pence - every little helps ) and got dh's ibuprofen and a lovely whoopsied seeded loaf...spent 13.62 so am reasonably pleased I didn't go too mad on extras....

Am supposed to be going for my main shop tomorrow, but might see if I can hang it out till Saturday as have planned tomorrows tea...

Wish I had a Lidl nearby, sounds like they have some fantastic bargains!!!

Long_tall_sally

Just updating signature with a few spends from today.

Nice to see you back Mrs McCawber!

teaandcakeaddict

Spent £26.00 in a*da today. I only went in for one thing, but I got some cleaning supplies that should last me the month, a new mop and some other bits and bobs. How am I going to keep to this budget? The mind boggles, the body shudders......:D

cattysmum

Grrr would have been another no spend day today but OH wanted Fish an chip tea, I declined (can't believe I did) so spends for today £5.00, Hmmmm I can smell them wonder if he will share????

rising_from_the_ashes

highland_fling wrote: »

However I think I will try a few more smart price items again.
Does anyone have any particular favourite items they could recommend?
Any supermarket label would do as I am in the fortunate position that all the major supermarkets are in the town nearest me.

I'm not keen on Mr T's budget range (apart from the frozen chicken pieces which I cook for the dog) but get a few things from Mr A and also use a mix of ranges for different things:

• Washing gel

Use Ariel for my clothes: £6.79 in Mr A for 28 washes (it's a whopping £8.17 @ Mr T - how they can say they're cheap is beyond me!)
Mr A's "colours" range for towels, duvet covers etc (£3 for the same size)
Mr A's smartprice liquid for the dogs towels & duvet covers etc (£1.65 for 1 litre)

(use the same principle for fabric conditioners)

Mr A's smart-price

• Butter - OK for cooking but tend to use a "brand" for toast, sandwiches etc (£1.21 - although you can get this cheaper @ L*dl)
• Cleaning cloths (10 for 36p)
• Yoghurts /mousse / desserts - (eg 27p for 4 choc mousses) all the ones I've tried have been pretty good
• Cheese - all have been OK but tend to just use them in cooking (lasagne etc)
• Orange / apple juice - don't notice any difference from the branded ones but make sure you get the concentrated ones not the "juice drink" - however, can also be found cheaper @ L*dl
• Skimmed milk for emergencies
• Porridge oats
• Tinned tomatoes
• Tinned kidney beans
• Caramel wafers - to die for! (40p for 5)

It's really just trial and error as some things are good and others awful!

HTH

rising_from_the_ashes

Meant to add - budget may be out the window:(.

Got home today to letter from hosp with date of my op:eek: (in a bit of a panic:o).

Have been trying to buy a wee bit extra here & there to stock up but will now need to do so big time (cat litter & food, dog food etc) as won't be able to drive for 2 - 3 months!:eek:

Will keep at it tho' and hope to try to stick to my budget!