Can I reduce my shopping bill by £165 per month?

mookybargirl

As someone said with wipes, buy them when they're on special. If you don't mind shopping around for good deals, this website is great as it will compare prices for Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury (and Ocado). Reecently, I almost bought 5 mullerlights for £2 at tesco but checked on here and asda had 10 for £2. It's worthwhile checking a few key items before you buy.
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/GettingStarted/Home.aspx

Roz_V

hi,

I've only skimmed the thread but don't think anyone has mentioned Pigsback yet? If you sign up with them you will very quickly earn enough points to get Boots vouchers which will help pay for baby stuff, especially if you use them to stock up when offers are on. Have a look at the thread over on the "Freebies" board of this site and read the first post to find out what it's all about. Very kind people post all the answers and quizzes, and it quickly builds up

As for cutting the rest of it down, I think it can be done.

Maybe we'd be more help if you could let us know where you think you are currently overspending? maybe post a shopping list or a meal plan and I'm sure people will offer their suggestions as to how to bring the bill down

Good Luck

Roz_V

PS. If you find you are stuck for inspiration, check out the new Indexed Collections. Penelope Penguin has recently indexed all of the menu planning threads so that they're in one place.

EDIT: Here is the link - loads of budget menus, vegetarian menus and lunchbox ideas if you are about to switch the kids over

My best tip is draw up a 3 week menu and plan to make double quantities of seven or so meals, hey presto, a week free of cooking also handy if you know you have a hectic week coming up, or if you know you're going to be out one night and your OH is like mine and can only be trusted with the microwave and a very clear set of re-heating instructions :rotfl:

EDIT #2: Also it may be worth registering with a site such as Fixture Ferrets, who will send you a weekly email telling you what is on offer, so you can plan meals around that

AngelMom

angelatgraceland wrote:

You can cut down your meat bill by using soy or lentils and pulses etc. There are lots of recipes on this site to help you. I bought a pack of lean mince in Tesco last week which cost £2.45 and I did the following with it:
Spag bog for 4 using a quarter of the pack with a cup of soya mince
Chilli con carne for 4 using as above
4 burgers with the remainder on the third day.So for about £2.80 plus half a bag of rice, a pack of spaghetti and some oven chips and a few veggies we had 3 meals to serv 4 Total cost-all of £4. I keep a record literally of EVERY item I buy-it is detailed like the till receipts. That way I know exactly where the money has gone. I have cut my shopping bill by using newspaper coupons(see the thread on this) and buying just before closing time when the goods get reduced. Cleaning items are replaced now with Stardrops, bleach, antiseptic disinfectant, vinegar, and soapnuts and Tescos own value soap powder. Good luck on your savings-once you get the hang of it, there will be no stopping you.

Thanks for your fantastic advice, it like a whole new world opening up to me, just one question though what are Stardrops and soapnuts, I have searched at tesco.com but no joy.

I am begining to realise that the few pence here and there I was spending on branded items has really added up. I have just done my online shop at tesco using a code and have bought loads of value items for a fraction of the price my two week shop has come to just £60 plus I am paying a visit to my local butcher on Saturday (for the 1st time ever!) for my meat for the freezer, mince and sausages so I hope to spend about £30 maybe but thats everything then for 2 weeks for £90, although I didnt need nappies or wipes this time.

I have even decided to make all my own babyfood now rather than use some jars as these are sooooo expensive. I am cooking proper meals instead of ready made and my baby can also share our meals with us pureed down a little which is healthy for us all.

I feel so chuffed with myself, so thank you all for helping me. :beer: I have clicked the thanks button for you all. Will let you know how I am doing at the end of month one but so far so good.

You are stars xxxxx

AM:A

Shortie

AngelMom wrote:

I have even decided to make all my own babyfood now rather than use some jars as these are sooooo expensive.

This is a really good idea. Much cheaper, much, much healther for little one, plus they will grow up on foods you already eat so there will be no problems adapting their tastes back in with yours when they start more solids

:T

angelatgraceland

I did another cheap recipe today of vegetable curry and homemade naan bread. Serves 8 people and cost approx £2.40. The naan bread was so good that on my taste test I decided I would have to make a second lot as it would be swallowed up quickly. If anyone wants the recipe I made the curry with(I just throw it in as I go along and keep tasting)or the naan bread I will either put it on the recipe board or pm it to you.

There are many links to Stardrops and some to saopnuts. I will try to find some and pm them to you AngelMom. Got Stardrops Asda online and soapnuts on ebay(they were cheapest) Stardrops also in Wilkinson stores.

Roz_V

Stardrops threads here and here

I know some people have had trouble finding it in supermarkets, but I have always found it in Asda. It's also available in Wilkinsons and Savers - the barcode is in the second thread somewhere so if you can't find it in Wilkinsons and give them the code, they should order it for you

Roz_V

Here is the post with the barcode in

rls1973

stardrops also always available in home bargains, if there's one near you.

Spendless

AngelMom wrote:

A friend at work has given me some of those bags that keep your veg for longer and they do work a treat (she had a carrot in the bag in her fridge for over 3 weeks and it was perfect!).

If she's given you them great. If they're just on loan before you buy some yourself, do an expirement with a piece of kitchen roll on the bottom of the salad trays. I've been doing this for ages and can't remember the last time I had to throw away stuff cos it had gone soggy.