Reducing my weekly shop cost - possible?

AFK_Matrix

Hey guys,

Haven't read through all your replies but I am very grateful for them all and will have a good read through.

Right here it is the dreaded shopping list lol!!

Product and Price List:
1 x Sainsbury's Sausage Pasta Bake 400g - Total Price GBP 2.10
12 x Sainsbury's White Closed Cup Mushrooms (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.69
1 x Sainsbury's Red Pepper - Total Price GBP 0.63
1 x Sainsbury's Green Pepper - Total Price GBP 0.63
3 x Sainsbury's Large Onions (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.46
1 x Sainsbury's British Fresh Milk, Semi Skimmed 1.13L (2pint) - Total Price GBP 0.89
1 x Sainsbury's British Medium Grated Cheddar 250g - Total Price GBP 1.70
1 x Sainsbury's Smoked Bacon Lardons 250g - Total Price GBP 1.99
1 x Richmond Thick Pork Sausages x8 454g - Total Price GBP 2.09
1 x Sainsbury's Smoked Gammon Joint 750g - Total Price GBP 4.00 - I cook this on a Sunday and then have it for my sandwiches at work.
1 x Tresemme Moisture Shampoo 900ml - Total Price GBP 2.15 - This is huge and it lasts for ages
1 x Tresemme Moisture Conditioner 900ml - Total Price GBP 2.15- This is huge and it lasts for ages
2 x Carex Moisture Plus Antibacterial Handwash 250ml - Total Price GBP 3.20
1 x Diet Coke 330ml 24 Pack - Total Price GBP 8.85
1 x Tunnocks Caramel Wafers x8 - Total Price GBP 1.38 - Have this as a treat for lunches at work
1 x Sainsbury's Quick Cook Pasta, Penne 1kg - Total Price GBP 1.78
1 x Warburtons Raisin Loaf With Cinnamon - Total Price GBP 1.20
1 x Sainsbury's German Salami Selection Slices 100g - Total Price GBP 1.59
1 x Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Lemon 250ml - Total Price GBP 3.57
1 x Sainsbury's Tie Handle Refuse Sacks x40 - Total Price GBP 4.20
1 x Kingsmill Great Everyday White, Medium 800g - Total Price GBP 1.15
1 x Sainsbury's Breaded Chicken Goujons 245g - Total Price GBP 2.00
1 x Sainsbury's Leeks (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.74
3 x Sainsbury's Carrots (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.29
1 x Sainsbury's Baking Potatoes (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.33
1 x Sainsbury's Baby New Potatoes 1kg - Total Price GBP 1.40
1 x Walkers Crisps, Prawn Cocktail 6x 25g - Total Price GBP 1.52 - Have this for lunches at work
1 x Sainsbury's Pineapple Slices In Juice 227g - Total Price GBP 0.48
1 x Heinz Reduced Sugar & Salt Bakd Beans 4x415g - Total Price GBP 2.49
1 x Sainsbury's Three Cheese Sauce 350g - Total Price GBP 1.50
1 x Flora Light Spread 250g - Total Price GBP 1.15

I suppose its because I am buying the loose veg that isn't helping. I have also found a good little website that does a meal plan for 1 which I am going to try as it says it should be around £15 for the whole week for dinners.

This is the site: http://resourcefulcook.com/mealplans/browse/forone

I look forward to your comments

HappyMJ

You think it's the loose veg... I think it's the coke at £8.85 which is the problem item.

Also when people say £25 a week food costs they mean just food not coke and cleaning products as well.

If you just count the food in your shop it comes to £33.29. So you need to get that bit under £25.

rachbc

AFK_Matrix wrote: »

Hey guys,

Haven't read through all your replies but I am very grateful for them all and will have a good read through.

Right here it is the dreaded shopping list lol!!

Product and Price List:
1 x Sainsbury's Sausage Pasta Bake 400g - Total Price GBP 2.10
if you need an occasional quick meal how about batch cooking/ doubling up one time will be cheaper than a ready mean


12 x Sainsbury's White Closed Cup Mushrooms (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.69
1 x Sainsbury's Red Pepper - Total Price GBP 0.63
1 x Sainsbury's Green Pepper - Total Price GBP 0.63
big bag of value peppers are cheaper than 2 loose ones -the taste the same are just a big smaller

3 x Sainsbury's Large Onions (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.46
1 x Sainsbury's British Fresh Milk, Semi Skimmed 1.13L (2pint) - Total Price GBP 0.89

4pints is onyl a few pence more - could you decant and freeze half?

1 x Sainsbury's British Medium Grated Cheddar 250g - Total Price GBP 1.70
Block cheese is generally cheaper than ready grated

1 x Sainsbury's Smoked Bacon Lardons 250g - Total Price GBP 1.99
1 x Richmond Thick Pork Sausages x8 454g - Total Price GBP 2.09
try own brand- sians butcher choice are good - higher meat content and cheaper than richmond I think

1 x Sainsbury's Smoked Gammon Joint 750g - Total Price GBP 4.00 - I cook this on a Sunday and then have it for my sandwiches at work.
1 x Tresemme Moisture Shampoo 900ml - Total Price GBP 2.15 - This is huge and it lasts for ages
1 x Tresemme Moisture Conditioner 900ml - Total Price GBP 2.15- This is huge and it lasts for ages
2 x Carex Moisture Plus Antibacterial Handwash 250ml - Total Price GBP 3.20
try ound shops and B&M for branded toiletries
1 x Diet Coke 330ml 24 Pack - Total Price GBP 8.85
eek
1 x Tunnocks Caramel Wafers x8 - Total Price GBP 1.38 - Have this as a treat for lunches at work
1 x Sainsbury's Quick Cook Pasta, Penne 1kg - Total Price GBP 1.78
a 3kg is half the cost her kg
1 x Warburtons Raisin Loaf With Cinnamon - Total Price GBP 1.20
1 x Sainsbury's German Salami Selection Slices 100g - Total Price GBP 1.59
1 x Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Lemon 250ml - Total Price GBP 3.57
again try B&M - though I have never used a dishwasher cleaner and everything comes out fine!

1 x Sainsbury's Tie Handle Refuse Sacks x40 - Total Price GBP 4.20
1 x Kingsmill Great Everyday White, Medium 800g - Total Price GBP 1.15
1 x Sainsbury's Breaded Chicken Goujons 245g - Total Price GBP 2.00
1 x Sainsbury's Leeks (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.74
3 x Sainsbury's Carrots (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.29
1 x Sainsbury's Baking Potatoes (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.33
1 x Sainsbury's Baby New Potatoes 1kg - Total Price GBP 1.40
1 x Walkers Crisps, Prawn Cocktail 6x 25g - Total Price GBP 1.52 - Have this for lunches at work
1 x Sainsbury's Pineapple Slices In Juice 227g - Total Price GBP 0.48
1 x Heinz Reduced Sugar & Salt Bakd Beans 4x415g - Total Price GBP 2.49
1 x Sainsbury's Three Cheese Sauce 350g - Total Price GBP 1.50
cheese sauce is easy peasy to make
1 x Flora Light Spread 250g - Total Price GBP 1.15

I suppose its because I am buying the loose veg that isn't helping. I have also found a good little website that does a meal plan for 1 which I am going to try as it says it should be around £15 for the whole week for dinners.

This is the site: http://resourcefulcook.com/mealplans/browse/forone

I look forward to your comments

Just a few ideas to get started

PipneyJane

DH and I have a "housekeeping" budget of £200/month, but that includes money set aside for the garden, for Christmas/Easter and a "bulk" fund for Costco/WingYip visits. Our general split per month is £120 general groceries, £40 meat (we buy from a kosher butcher every 3-4 months), £20 bulk, £10 each Garden and Christmas. There are only two of us, although we entertain quite regularly. We rarely buy lunch for work or eat out.

Back in the very early 1990's, during a very-broke February, I fed two adults on £25 for the entire month, thanks to careful shopping and the contents of the freezer and pantry. Most of what I learned then, I still apply today. To summarise some of my tricks:-

1. Shop from your pantry/freezer first. Utilise what you have in stock before you buy anything.
2. Following on from point 1, shop to restock your pantry/freezer first before you buy anything else. I rarely plan my meals more than a day or two in advance (and only then because I'll need to defrost something or soak some pulses). I don't need to because I make sure I have a well stocked pantry and freezer full of the basics.
3. Buy your veg loose from a greengrocer or the market or a farm shop. It will last longer than if you bought it in the supermarket because it hasn't been kept in layers of plastic in the cool-store and is usually cheaper. We spend about £15/month on veggies from a farm shop. They're grown on the premises. The carrots don't droop or go flabby after 2 days, neither do the courgettes but their unit price is probably higher than T*scos. However, we reckon we spend less on veggies now than in the days before we found the farm shop because the veggies last longer.
4. Portion control. Most recipes are for four portions but we never had any leftovers for lunch because it was easy to serve up the whole dish instead of only half of it. These days, I do "set-asides" instead of leftovers - I dish up our lunch boxes at the same time as our dinners.
5. Pad meat meals with veggies/pulses. I can easily stretch a half pound of minced beef to make a bolognese sauce or a curry or chilli to feed 6 big eaters. And they'll all think it's a very meaty sauce, too. The same goes for stews - all mine are rich in veggies and pulses.
6. Tinned fish is your friend. You haven't lived until you've had Pilchard Madras.:rotfl:
7. Eat vegetarian a couple of nights a week. I have a weight-watchers recipe for Aloo Gobi that would feed an army and costs about a £1 to make. Try making your own chana dhal and serving a vegetable bhajee alongside. Or borrow Rose Elliott's Bean Book from the library and make one of her lentil roasts.
8. Two more good cookbooks: Rose Elliott's Cheap and Easy Vegetarian Cookbook and Bernardine Lawrence's How to Feed your Family on £4 a Day.

Hope this helps.

dlusman

Yuu've got the sausages , pasta and cheese sauce - why do you need the sausage pasta bake ready meal as well ?

Do you really need to clean out a dishwasher ? I have run a dishwasher for years without ever feeling it was getting dirty

Do you really need to buy refuse sacks ? As a single person you shouldnt be generating a lot of rubbish

walby1993

AFK_Matrix wrote: »

Hey guys,

Haven't read through all your replies but I am very grateful for them all and will have a good read through.

Right here it is the dreaded shopping list lol!!

Product and Price List:
1 x Sainsbury's Sausage Pasta Bake 400g - Total Price GBP 2.10 Ready meals are expensive and a definate no-no if you want to reduce your shopping bill as much as possible. I often make double or triple portions of things like bolegnaise, chilli, goulash, etc and freeze - the convienance of a ready meal for at least half the price and twice the flavour and nutrition
12 x Sainsbury's White Closed Cup Mushrooms (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.69 I don't shop in Sainsbury's often but can highly recommend their basics Mushroom - they have a bit of dirt on them that you have to clean off but the taste is no different
1 x Sainsbury's Red Pepper - Total Price GBP 0.63
1 x Sainsbury's Green Pepper - Total Price GBP 0.63 As someone else said, the packs work out cheaper and taste no different
3 x Sainsbury's Large Onions (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.46 Again, the basic pack is cheaper and keeps for ages. They are quite small but still taste just as good.
1 x Sainsbury's British Fresh Milk, Semi Skimmed 1.13L (2pint) - Total Price GBP 0.89
1 x Sainsbury's British Medium Grated Cheddar 250g - Total Price GBP 1.70 It would work out much cheaper to grate it yourself!
1 x Sainsbury's Smoked Bacon Lardons 250g - Total Price GBP 1.99 I personally think lardons are a waste of money - they seem to be more expensive than actual bacon!
1 x Richmond Thick Pork Sausages x8 454g - Total Price GBP 2.09
1 x Sainsbury's Smoked Gammon Joint 750g - Total Price GBP 4.00 - I cook this on a Sunday and then have it for my sandwiches at work.
1 x Tresemme Moisture Shampoo 900ml - Total Price GBP 2.15 - This is huge and it lasts for ages
1 x Tresemme Moisture Conditioner 900ml - Total Price GBP 2.15- This is huge and it lasts for ages
2 x Carex Moisture Plus Antibacterial Handwash 250ml - Total Price GBP 3.20
1 x Diet Coke 330ml 24 Pack - Total Price GBP 8.85 :eek: We very rarely buy drinks (mainly have water or milk) but when we do its things like squash which work out relatively cheap. Could you reduce how much coke you drink or cut it out all together?
1 x Tunnocks Caramel Wafers x8 - Total Price GBP 1.38 - Have this as a treat for lunches at work Supermarket own brands of this are pretty good and quite a bit cheaper.
1 x Sainsbury's Quick Cook Pasta, Penne 1kg - Total Price GBP 1.78 :eek: I get value/basic/no frills penne pasta for £0.18 per 500g and I can't tell the difference
1 x Warburtons Raisin Loaf With Cinnamon - Total Price GBP 1.20
1 x Sainsbury's German Salami Selection Slices 100g - Total Price GBP 1.59
1 x Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Lemon 250ml - Total Price GBP 3.57
1 x Sainsbury's Tie Handle Refuse Sacks x40 - Total Price GBP 4.20 :eek: I spend £1 on 30 - I get the basics/value/no frills and never have any problems.
1 x Kingsmill Great Everyday White, Medium 800g - Total Price GBP 1.15
1 x Sainsbury's Breaded Chicken Goujons 245g - Total Price GBP 2.00
1 x Sainsbury's Leeks (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.74
3 x Sainsbury's Carrots (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.29
1 x Sainsbury's Baking Potatoes (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.33
1 x Sainsbury's Baby New Potatoes 1kg - Total Price GBP 1.40
1 x Walkers Crisps, Prawn Cocktail 6x 25g - Total Price GBP 1.52 - Have this for lunches at work
1 x Sainsbury's Pineapple Slices In Juice 227g - Total Price GBP 0.48
1 x Heinz Reduced Sugar & Salt Bakd Beans 4x415g - Total Price GBP 2.49
1 x Sainsbury's Three Cheese Sauce 350g - Total Price GBP 1.50
1 x Flora Light Spread 250g - Total Price GBP 1.15

I suppose its because I am buying the loose veg that isn't helping. I have also found a good little website that does a meal plan for 1 which I am going to try as it says it should be around £15 for the whole week for dinners.

This is the site: http://resourcefulcook.com/mealplans/browse/forone

I look forward to your comments

Hi,

I am by no means no expert (DH and I spend about £175 per month average but that includes toiletries and cleaning products too) but have listed a few suggestions above that might help. In terms of paying for delivery, could you buy two weeks shopping at a time to reduce the overall spend on this?

Hope this helps

Cat501

If you want to keep up the cola habit, have you tried Sainsbury's own brand? I think it's one of the better supermarket colas out there. Either Classic Diet or Zero, only a few pence cheaper per can but it all helps.

Have to say I was expecting a far more extravagant list than that!

~Chameleon~

hermum wrote: »

OP, do you menu plan? £50 a week is a lot of money for 1 person for a week.
I generally shop in sainsburys unless someone else has a really good offer on, I probably spend around £50 a month for 1 person.

I'm another single person who easily spends £50-£60 a week. Would love to know how you manage on £50 a month!! :eek:

tigerfeet2006

AFK_Matrix wrote: »

Hey guys,

Haven't read through all your replies but I am very grateful for them all and will have a good read through.

Right here it is the dreaded shopping list lol!!

Product and Price List:
1 x Sainsbury's Sausage Pasta Bake 400g - Total Price GBP 2.10 Make your own from scratch and you can end up with a few for the freezer. Sainsburys frozen sausages 20 in a bag £2.29, Basics pasta 500g 25p, chopped tin toms basics 33p plus herbs from the store cupboard.
12 x Sainsbury's White Closed Cup Mushrooms (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.69 frozen mushrooms 750g £1.49
1 x Sainsbury's Red Pepper - Total Price GBP 0.63 frozen peppers 750g £1,49
1 x Sainsbury's Green Pepper - Total Price GBP 0.63
Costs more I know but will end up cheaper because of bulk and no wastage. Also on special atm 2 for £2.50
3 x Sainsbury's Large Onions (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.46 £1.49 750g frozen
1 x Sainsbury's British Fresh Milk, Semi Skimmed 1.13L (2pint) - Total Price GBP 0.89 buy bigger and freeze.
1 x Sainsbury's British Medium Grated Cheddar 250g - Total Price GBP 1.70 Sainsbo's own 400g mature 2 for £5 grate it yourself and keep in the freezer to use as you need it.
1 x Sainsbury's Smoked Bacon Lardons 250g - Total Price GBP 1.99 sainsbo's cooking value bacon 670g £1
1 x Richmond Thick Pork Sausages x8 454g - Total Price GBP 2.09 see above
1 x Sainsbury's Smoked Gammon Joint 750g - Total Price GBP 4.00 - I cook this on a Sunday and then have it for my sandwiches at work. :D Good boy
1 x Tresemme Moisture Shampoo 900ml - Total Price GBP 2.15 - This is huge and it lasts for ages
1 x Tresemme Moisture Conditioner 900ml - Total Price GBP 2.15- This is huge and it lasts for ages
2 x Carex Moisture Plus Antibacterial Handwash 250ml - Total Price GBP 3.20 sainsbo's basics handwash 38p or sainsbo's own antbac 500ml 1.09 also check special offers.
1 x Diet Coke 330ml 24 Pack - Total Price GBP 8.85 sainsbo's own classic cola 1.48 for 6 or knock on the head and buy squash
1 x Tunnocks Caramel Wafers x8 - Total Price GBP 1.38 - Have this as a treat for lunches at work
1 x Sainsbury's Quick Cook Pasta, Penne 1kg - Total Price GBP 1.78 sainsbo's basics pasta shape 500g 25p
1 x Warburtons Raisin Loaf With Cinnamon - Total Price GBP 1.20 sainsbo's own bread flour 1.5kg £1.02, sainbo's own dried yeast 79p, sainsbo's basic mixed fruit 500g 64p, ground cinnamon 35g £1.49 Think how many loaves you can make from that lot.
1 x Sainsbury's German Salami Selection Slices 100g - Total Price GBP 1.59
1 x Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Lemon 250ml - Total Price GBP 3.57 sainsbo's dishwasher cleaner 250ml £2
1 x Sainsbury's Tie Handle Refuse Sacks x40 - Total Price GBP 4.20 buy basics range or use the shopping bags as waste sacks, you shouldn't have that much waste.
1 x Kingsmill Great Everyday White, Medium 800g - Total Price GBP 1.15 make your own. ingredients as above. maybe ask for a breadmaker for christmas or treat yourself from your savings.
1 x Sainsbury's Breaded Chicken Goujons 245g - Total Price GBP 2.00 make your own frozen chix breast 500g £3.25, eggs 6 for £1.30, breadcrumbs from your homemade bread, salt and pepper and away you go. Omlettes from the left over eggs with peppers and mushrooms
1 x Sainsbury's Leeks (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.74 sainsbo's trimmed leeks 500g £1 (chop and freeze rest)
3 x Sainsbury's Carrots (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.29 sainsbo's basic carrots 1.5kg 75p keep for ages in the fridge and can be chopped and frozen if necessary
1 x Sainsbury's Baking Potatoes (loose) - Total Price GBP 0.33
1 x Sainsbury's Baby New Potatoes 1kg - Total Price GBP 1.40
1 x Walkers Crisps, Prawn Cocktail 6x 25g - Total Price GBP 1.52 - Have this for lunches at work sainsbo's own prawn cocktail 6x25g £1.19
1 x Sainsbury's Pineapple Slices In Juice 227g - Total Price GBP 0.48
1 x Heinz Reduced Sugar & Salt Bakd Beans 4x415g - Total Price GBP 2.49 sainsbo's equivelant £1.27 or basics 25p
1 x Sainsbury's Three Cheese Sauce 350g - Total Price GBP 1.50 why not make your own?
1 x Flora Light Spread 250g - Total Price GBP 1.15 sainsbo's sunflower light 500g £1.25

I suppose its because I am buying the loose veg that isn't helping. I have also found a good little website that does a meal plan for 1 which I am going to try as it says it should be around £15 for the whole week for dinners.

This is the site: http://resourcefulcook.com/mealplans/browse/forone

I look forward to your comments

That's your list with savings. But you can save more by cooking differently.There is a lot of nothing there really.

Resourceful cook is quite a good website.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hiya my motto is 'plan, plan, plan'. Do a stocktake of freezer and larder, then create a menu plan for a month, after that shop for any gaps you have, plus fresh fruit/veg etc. I would think you could very easily halve your bill and possibly more. If you have space to grow fresh herbs, lettuces etc, then that also helps, and try to grow the more expensive things like rocket, basil etc. They make great additions to salad for pennies, and stretches your cash.

Good luck.