Where to shop for family of 6? Help and advice needed as cant afford food anymore :(

xxlouisexx56

Supermarkets dont always mark stuff down in the evening, I was in sainsburys at 2:30 this afternoon and managed to pick up pork mince, beef mine and 4 chicken breasts, all for less than a fiver and that will sort us out for 4 meals this week (we are a family of 4, but one of those is a baby)

emmamed

xxlouisexx56 wrote: »

Supermarkets dont always mark stuff down in the evening, I was in sainsburys at 2:30 this afternoon and managed to pick up pork mince, beef mine and 4 chicken breasts, all for less than a fiver and that will sort us out for 4 meals this week (we are a family of 4, but one of those is a baby)

they tend to vary the times of reductions or they would get bombarded at the same time each day.

Lip_Stick

xxlouisexx56 wrote: »

Supermarkets dont always mark stuff down in the evening, I was in sainsburys at 2:30 this afternoon and managed to pick up pork mince, beef mine and 4 chicken breasts, all for less than a fiver and that will sort us out for 4 meals this week (we are a family of 4, but one of those is a baby)

Beef mine? Is that so you can make a good chilli that'll blow your head off?

xxlouisexx56

Lip_Stick wrote: »

Beef mine? Is that so you can make a good chilli that'll blow your head off?

perhaps

housebug

chaosweddings wrote: »

i too would say buy a slow cooker, i use ours 3/4 times per week and batch cook, so if i make a spag bol i make a huge amount and freeze more than half and use for chilli, lasagna and more. or i make a large vat of basic tomato suace to use for soups/pizzas and sauce bases.
i also buy cheap cuts of meat and put them in the slow cooker, yum
i also bulk out alot of meals with lentils and grated carrot/parsnip/swede

we are a family of 3 and spend around £30 per week on main shop and about £10 on a top up shop per week.

my usual weekly shop consists of :
Braising/stewing steak £5
brisket £4
carrots £1
potatoes £1
mince £2
2 x whole chickens-cooked and shredded for meals and lunches £7
parsnips £1
swede £1
onions £1
cornflower £1
chopped tomato's £1
turkey breasts- to make mince/burgers £3
peppers £1
mushrooms £1
spring greens


out of this i make, chilli, spag bol, curry, pies, cassarole, 10 x chicken packed lunches for 2 people, burgers, sunday roast, stew for £30

When do you buy dairy, fruit, baked good such as bread, tinned and frozen food, household items etc...? Or do you not buy them? These may not necessarily be weekly items, but they do add to the total monthly cost.

There's just the two of us and we seem to be perpetually trying to get the grocery bill down. I think (hope) we could perhaps get another 25% off the total monthly spend, but it's a real challenge. Ten years ago we were spending £70 a month on food, including alcohol and the occasional take-out. (Don't forget to include those last two expenditures in your total monthly food costs, if applicable). Fast forward to today and that figure has more than doubled. Like many people, we've cut back steadily in all areas as the cost of living continues to rise. We're to the point where there's almost nothing left to cut back on. I'm sure a lot of people on MSE can relate to that sentiment.

I find it's not just a case of where you shop, but whether or not cheaper stores are accessible to you. Stores like Aldi, Lidl and Farmfoods don't offer home delivery. Yes, I understand that helps them keep costs down. But not everyone has a car or access to one to help get bags of groceries home. Though you could budget for a taxi providing the distance isn't too great. Public transportation is an option, but you're limited to what you can reasonably handle getting on and off buses. God help you if you've got small children and groceries to get from A to B. Buses aren't cheap any more, if anyone has noticed. The demise of the local greengrocer, fish monger, butcher etc.. along with farmer's markets, all of which used to be a good source for quality, reasonably priced food hasn't helped either.

I hope the original poster gets the help she needs.

rachbc

chaosweddings wrote: »

i too would say buy a slow cooker, i use ours 3/4 times per week and batch cook, so if i make a spag bol i make a huge amount and freeze more than half and use for chilli, lasagna and more. or i make a large vat of basic tomato suace to use for soups/pizzas and sauce bases.
i also buy cheap cuts of meat and put them in the slow cooker, yum
i also bulk out alot of meals with lentils and grated carrot/parsnip/swede

we are a family of 3 and spend around £30 per week on main shop and about £10 on a top up shop per week.

my usual weekly shop consists of :
Braising/stewing steak £5
brisket £4
carrots £1
potatoes £1
mince £2
2 x whole chickens-cooked and shredded for meals and lunches £7
parsnips £1
swede £1
onions £1
cornflower £1
chopped tomato's £1
turkey breasts- to make mince/burgers £3
peppers £1
mushrooms £1
spring greens


out of this i make, chilli, spag bol, curry, pies, cassarole, 10 x chicken packed lunches for 2 people, burgers, sunday roast, stew for £30

Do you not eat breakfast, or bread, or milk, or have any drinks, or fruit? Or wash clothes or dishes? Or have pasta with your spag bol or rice with your chilli?

yamfry50

You should definitely get a slow cooker, whether it be second-hand or on sale.

I have seen some rough times as well and it was always important for me to make my dollars stretch. Here are my own tips based on experience:

-Buy High protein foods that will keep you full longer.
Ie. Beans, Eggs, Quinoa, peanut butter, brown rice.
- You are better off spending your money at Costco for the basic items you use often. Buy more if it and it will save you money in the long run.
- Stay away from starched pastas & breads. They are only empty calories and will leave you feeling hungry soon after.
- Spend a Sunday cooking for the week. Make two different meals for the whole family so you can alternate.
-Seasonal veggies are always cheap!
-If using hamburger meat, you can bulk it up with pieces of bread, cornflakes or oats.

Hope these tips help make your dollars stretch!