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

stefejb

Would love to join in but i am on a very limited budget and there are NO local shops by me - just tesco, asda and a very small and expensive co-op. Are others finding it possible to shop from the sites mentioned without going over budget. I don't drive by the way and must carry all the shopping on my bike and as a single parent it would be difficult for me to go miles away

the_optimist

stefejb wrote:

Would love to join in but i am on a very limited budget and there are NO local shops by me - just tesco, asda and a very small and expensive co-op. Are others finding it possible to shop from the sites mentioned without going over budget. I don't drive by the way and must carry all the shopping on my bike and as a single parent it would be difficult for me to go miles away

Do you have weekly market? That's how I started using supermarkets less.
I am also on a very limited budget and first thought that this was the worst time for me to join a challenge like this, but as said before, I actually spend less, as I only buy what I really need.
Just join us in little steps..... every little helps, oops :rotfl: sorry Mr T:rotfl:

competitionscafe

Tesco computers for schools - for every £250,000 spent - one computer will be donated to a school. Hmmm, how generous of you Mr '£2bn profit a year' Tesco! That must be the cheapest advertsing in the world - lots of free publicity for virtually no cost.

rach

thanks CTC. i will start for lent, and try to continue if i get on ok! i like achievable goals!!!

the high street is only 10 mins walk away and in the area i live there is a butcher, bakers, a twice-weekly market and monthly farmers' market, a weigh and save and loads more! i already shop in the pound and 99p shops and in wilkos regularly. the main thing will be not going into the sainsburys in the high street!

kscour

competitionscafe wrote:

Tesco computers for schools - for every £250,000 spent - one computer will be donated to a school. Hmmm, how generous of you Mr '£2bn profit a year' Tesco! That must be the cheapest advertsing in the world - lots of free publicity for virtually no cost.

What!?!:eek: :mad:
well I knew from school that they were worth very little (& the school has to pay p&p to send vouchers in on top) but thats ridiculous.
Well next time they do vouchers I shall give my local school £5 a month instead of the vouchers I now won't have - which makes me alot more generous than Mr T! (Mr T for tightfisted me thinks)

I wouldn't mind if they were honest about the amount but their advertising makes it seem like they're really giving loads away and I wonder how much extra sales they get my parents who feel they're making a huge difference to the school?

competitionscafe

Yes, that figure was from the Dispatches programme. Like you say they surely get loads more business (and free publicity) from the offer and yet it costs them virtually nothing - they probably get a massive bulk order/wholesale discount price on the computers too. Maybe local traders should come up with a similar (but more generous obviously) scheme: support your local trader and your local school at the same time....

There is a summary of the programme here for anyone who missed it:
http://community.livejournal.com/livejournal_uk/6247629.html

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Organic box finder
When you’re going organic, don’t let overpackaged, overtravelled produce ruin your green intentions. Get local fruit and veg delivered to the doorstep. Here are 30 of the best schemes:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/real_food/article1380105.ece

COOLTRIKERCHICK

hi...guys......me thinks i should have not have gone to bed early last night...... with all the talk about the dispactches programme.......i wonder how many people watch that programme last night...... and will decide to ditch tescos for their shopping.... ...i knew that tescos had certain tactics shall we say...... but watching the programme last night, and the ones on bbc all last week has really made my vmind up about giving up supermarkets......for LIFE.......well at least tescos....... and only use the co-op...... in desperation.......


anyone reading this thread...... but havent joined in,,with discussion ..please join in...... even if you do use butchers ..bakers... etc..... or would like to change one part of your shopping habbit...... you will be supprised at whats outside the supermarket walls...........

as for budgeting....... i am spending less than what i used to...as i dont buy any impulse buys now......certain things might be more expensive.....but i am only buying what i want......i can now get my milk at the bakers.. which i think she said was £1.15 for 2 ltre.....if i went to a supermarket just because i needed milk....i would spend about £10 - £15.... as i would put other things in my basket......

i wonder if they will notice by my club card...that i am not shopping there anymore:D

catznine

Hi! Can I join in please? I could be rebel no 6 (unless already taken) I'm giving up Tescos, Sainsburys and Asda for lent!

I do use Costco every 3 months so not sure if you count that one. Other than that I am about to do a meat order from Jimmys and every week have a vegetable and fruit box and organic eggs delivered. We get our flour, oats and pet food from local mill. We have a lovely farm shop here with pick your own in the summer. Just need a milk man now. I am guessing that there will be other items that will crop up that I would normally use a supermarket for but hopefully can ask you guys how to circumnavigate Tescos.

Catz x

newlywed

I'm afraid I took the easy way out this week, I'm not well and couldn't face spending my limited lunch hour from work traipsing round shops so went to Co-op for the shopping. So it wasn't Mr T's, but it wasn't local traders either, but at least co-op have some ethics.

Off to the local health food store later today though for some vitamins!!

Lelc

Hi thereYes I watched despatches last night too. I had already decided not to use Tescos this week and to try the local butchers and greengrocers instead. I do already use Lidls as well. After watching last night, however, I've decided to try giving up Ts altogether.I am having difficulty finding local box schemes but will have look at the link posted by comptetionscafe.