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

looby-loo_2

I'm sure I've saved money. I've also been cooking from the freezer as I have time this week. I sorted all the stored apples and juiced over a pint which normally would have been thrown out. They haven't kept so well this year I think that's becaues of the warmer weather.

Dug up the last of the carrots - I always mean to plant more but then always run out in February. So on Friday I have to buy 1/2 bag potatoes and some carrots.

Shopped locally yesterday and DH couldn't believe how quickly I was back. I found everything in the village and farm shop so travelled 20% of normal distance and just bought things I needed - no snack bars, crisps, etc. (but did buy extra eggs to do more baking)

lil_me

:j I still haven't been. Just thought I would brag a little fruit and veg delivery tomorrow, eggs and dog food from her too, see what else she has on offer, milk money due Friday

mah_jong

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote:

i thinks its more like £1 in every £3 spend on groceries...

show how much of a hold they got...... beofre we know it ...the only shop around will be tescos......and for a lot of other things... car insurance telephone etc...

I believe in Inverness (tescotown) that 7 out of every 10pounds spent on food is in Tesco .....that to me, is just awful. The results can be seen in what was formerly the city centre ...... closed shops!

I say formerly as I think the retail parks must be the centre now!!

edited to add .....just 'asked'' tesco town and it came up with

http://www.tescotown.co.uk/

mah

ps i seem always to support the other teams

I ask ..... I dont google
I use firefox, not IE
shop at tesco?? ...moi ....I think not!

sandieb

Purple sprouting broccoli Sainsbury's £1.99
My local greengrocers 50p (for a larger, fresher amount AND it is grown locally)

COOLTRIKERCHICK

sandieb wrote:

Purple sprouting broccoli Sainsbury's £1.99
My local greengrocers 50p (for a larger, fresher amount AND it is grown locally)

that £1.49 diff.................good bargin:D and not many food miles either

lil_me

Shopping the Supermarkets is on about this today, buying local and eco friendly.

dianeclaire

I really want to do this and since reading 4 days ago have done lots of research on the staples, and we can get milk and cream etc delivered daily by a local farm, we already make our own bread and preserves, visit the local farm shops and farmers markets, we are lucky to have lots around and have not eaten "plastic" chickens since the dispatches programme a couple of years ago however, I'm struggling with things like washing powder, we are looking into cash and carry membership but don't know if that will happen.

We have no co-op for miles and the local shops only stock small boxes and are horrendously expensive for fairy liquid and the like

Any ideas greatly appreciated

lil_me

Did go today, needed a few things can't get locally. I also won't buy at local 'general store' type shop as she buys it from the supermarkets then adds a lot on, means I pay extra to by from supermarket really!

Farm shop etc tomorrow for the rest, delivery arrived tonight for fruit and veg, eggs, dog food and some chocolate she'd got cheap Going to double milk delivery amount for next week as the boys are off school and use more then. Save me going to shops for it!

competitionscafe

dianeclaire wrote:

Any ideas greatly appreciated

For washing machine (liquid, not powder), dishwasher liquid and rinse-aid I use http://www.faithinnature.co.uk/
Over a certain amount (£35 I think) delivery is free, so I buy in bulk (cheaper too)

Goodness direct also sell similar products (Ecover, etc) and there are other places for bulk buying Ecover, eg:
http://www.choosethealternative.co.uk/products/bulk.php
http://wirelessdigest.typepad.com/hippyshopper/2005/09/supersize_your_.html

dianeclaire

Thanks for the links, looks like we can survive, but one question are the products as good as Ariel etc, not so much a problem for me and DH but there are 2 fabulous stepchildren to consider who are absolute mud-magnets