a month without supermarket - new challenge for 2011 starts at post 1013

Lily-Lu

Caterina wrote: »

He is not normally a very demanding person and gives me a small amount of money for his keep, so I don't really know how to say no.

Caterina, I know you've said previously that you discussed the change with all the family, but maybe he needs a little more discussion. Not focusing so much on the 'no supermarket' aspect, but also the fact that prices for everything are rising, so each and every one of you are having to compromise in some way or other and you'd really appreciate it, if he would happily do the same. Then go on to say that you don't want to deprive him of the things he wants, but there will just be less of it. Would he be willing to mix a little water with the fruit juice, spread less peanut butter on, so that everything lasts a bit longer?

Another idea that I've had, is that independent shop keepers' tend to be quite willing to help if they can. When I was in the greengrocer's yesterday they hadn't got any brown rice (only white), so I asked if they ever sell brown; she said that they do, but only small packets. I suspect that because their buying power is less than a supermarket, their rice is likely to be considerably more expensive, so buying a larger bag should work out cheaper for me. As they normally only sell small packets of rice, I've asked her to ask the owner if he can get a larger bag for me, and also explained that I was trying to avoid buying from the supermarket, for good measure.
Whether I'll get my bigger bag, I don't know; but I don't doubt that the owner will at least try.

So, it's worth asking if a shop can get you larger sizes of certain things in, and hopefully that will bring the cost down a little:)

JustKeepSwimming_2

hex2 wrote: »

Just keep swimming - does the milkandmore leaflet say when the offers start? I have had a look online but they just have lots of very reduced christmas chocolate on the offers plus the bread, etc that was on last week.

Leaflet offers run from 10-29th Jan, & the free pint of 1% milk offer is on the back of this leaflet, not online as far as I can see - sorry if I didn't make that clear.

I had an email from them yesterday & they have reduced their Xmas offers again - I've bought 27 mince pies for £1.99 as I can't face making any more for a while

Thanks to all of you who suggested I give my kids a rucksack each when we are out & about. I think I'm too soft on them & I end up like a pack horse. I shall stop being so helpful & they can learn to look after their own stuff.

I explored some of the local shops yesterday - found 2 "healthy" shops which do weigh & save, & bought flour, yeast & nut roast mixes, but had to go to Coop for skimmed milk powder (as needed for bread maker) as I couldn't find it anywhere else. But I did notice that their packaging is clear & their value skimmed milk powder is made from British milk, wheras all the other makes are EU milk.

I'm spending less doing this challenge - but my freezer/cupboards were overflowing from Xmas so I think I'm still in the honeymoon phase :rotfl: & it will get harder. I think I'll be experimenting with laundry gloop when I get near to the end of my stash.

I'm going to have to be strong when I do my next recycling run though. All the recycling bins in my town are at supermarkets,which was great when I used them for shopping, but not so now. Glass milk bottles will help, but I still get through lots of plastic which our council won't collect kerb side. Must not just "pop in" for something...

phizzimum

I was so excited to open the door this morning and find my milk delivery on the doorstep! It's funny how something that was an everyday part of life a few years ago now feels like a novelty. DD looked at milk bottle and said "how do you take the lid off?" :rotfl:

anguk

phizzimum wrote: »

I was so excited to open the door this morning and find my milk delivery on the doorstep! It's funny how something that was an everyday part of life a few years ago now feels like a novelty. DD looked at milk bottle and said "how do you take the lid off?" :rotfl:

I wish mine came in glass bottles. Ours is in plastic cartons but at least it comes from a local dairy.

pennyjar56

Milk is a problem for me too- currently walking up to the co op until i figure out where to buy our local dairy's milk. I have to say we're enjoying the challange- it's made me realise how out of touch i've been shopping in morrisons every week- no human contact, no expert advice ( i've yet to speak to a "qualified" fishmonger or butcher in my local store) no real thought as to what i'm buying- how much i need or where it's from. I looked at my economy gastronomy book and followed their advice about planning each meal and shopping accordingly. Obvious really but irealise i've been impulse buying and shopping blind.

Anyway- the good news is i thoroughly enjoyed my weekly shop at the butchers and farm shop today- i think in all honesty the meat was pretty competitive price wise- helpful with how to cook something, how long it would last and how much i'd need. He even helped me down the steps with the pram how lovely!

Only downside was driving past the farm that sells eggs and realising i had no real cash with me- must remember to carry cash now i'm back in the real world!

tryingtobethrifty

Hi, sorry for not posting yet, I have been reading through all the threads and lurking.

What a good idea! I haven't had to buy any food yet this month so haven't been to the supermarket, but I did need new curtain rings and a freezer thermometer. I thought I could get them in Dunelm Mill and know it's not a supermarket but since this (for me) is about shopping locally (and more ethically) I went to the local hardware shop. What a lovely man. Knew where everything was, had lots of stuff even things like tinfoil etc AND they were both cheaper than if I'd went to Dunelm.

We live in a wee village with no shops so I've to drive about 6 miles to the local shops, I'm going tomorrow to suss out where all the shops are and visit the farmers market. I'm quite excited by this challenge too....

Happy shopping everyone and maybe in a month we can see if our shopping bills have gone down too.

hex2

Milkman delivered this morning despite the snow. Nice long dated bread and milk unlike the s'market home deliveries so pleased with that. Veg box came this afternoon, local organic scheme, for £20.20 I got 4 oranges, 5 apples, 6 kiwi, 4 pears, 5 satsumas, nice bag of grapes, three cucumbers, 10 big tomatoes, two nice green lettuces (huge), kale, cauliflower, two garlic heads complete with roots, fartichokes, monster turnip, 3 huge parsnips, lots of potatoes, a large squash/pumpkin and the most enormous turnip I have ever seen. Lovely stuff, very fresh and plenty of variety. Need to do some meal planning rather urgently.

ubamother

Lily-Lu wrote: »

Another idea that I've had, is that independent shop keepers' tend to be quite willing to help if they can. When I was in the greengrocer's yesterday they hadn't got any brown rice (only white), so I asked if they ever sell brown; she said that they do, but only small packets. I suspect that because their buying power is less than a supermarket, their rice is likely to be considerably more expensive, so buying a larger bag should work out cheaper for me. As they normally only sell small packets of rice, I've asked her to ask the owner if he can get a larger bag for me, and also explained that I was trying to avoid buying from the supermarket, for good measure.
Whether I'll get my bigger bag, I don't know; but I don't doubt that the owner will at least try.

So, it's worth asking if a shop can get you larger sizes of certain things in, and hopefully that will bring the cost down a little:)

Can't agree more - my local greengrocers no longer supplies sevilles because not enough people make marmalade - but he got just one box in because I asked him to. If I want something the butcher doesn't always have prepped for a particular day or recipe, fresh minced lamb for example, I ring him up and he'll have it ready for the next day - saves queuing or making others wait. When I wanted some organic golden rapeseed oil as part of a golden wedding basket of gifts for my mum and dad, my locally owed health store/deli rang their supplier, the grower, whose farm is about 12 miles away and as he was on his way out somewhere closeish he dropped it off. Often they are really happy to be asked so they can prove their worth and ensure your loyalty - win win.

[Deleted User]

I had my local food order delivered yesterday and am still at the stage of trying bits and pieces from the different suppliers. Today we ate a steak and kidney pie like no other I have ever eaten before. It was absolutely gorgeous, these pies have won prizes and I now know why. Very very thick and crammed full of the leanest beef. Easily enough for 3. I had to find the wrapper to re-read the price, just £3.99. Wow it really was to die for. Almost all the food so far has been outstanding, except at the moment the local organic veg like leeks. The producers are taking a hammering due to the freeze but I will take the rough with the smooth because the boxes have been amazing value

So far I am not missing any supermarket

JustKeepSwimming_2

I have a good farm shop very near me which a friend took me to a while ago. As they don't deliver I thought I'd walk up there, thinking it would be 10-15 min walk. But it is just off a very busy roundabout with 6 exits, 1 of which leads to a busy industrial estate & after I'd been waiting for 20 minutes for a gap in the traffic I realised it just wasn't going to happen!

There are no walkways over any of the roads & no pavements along the road that the farm shop is on. Even if I managed to get across the road (somehow) I'd have to walk into oncoming traffic - car is king around here (along with MrT) :mad:

Rant over!