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

looby-loo_2

Wednesday is DH's day off and guess what he did? He 'just nipped into TESCO to get a few bits':mad: even after I had told him we were giving up supermarkets. He tried to say all the £42 he spent was on great bargins and offers. So later when I had to go out I took some things back:D , like the pyramid shapped T-bags - when we normally use loose leaf tea:rolleyes: I don't think he'll realise. Got £18 refunded on the basis of 'DH is confused and bought too much'. Didn't dare take more back.

I'm doing well emptying the freezer and making use of stuff which just stays in there for ever.

The Sunday joint of lamb from the local butcher has served three meals and will do a couple of sandwiches tomorrow. It really does go further. £8.40 for the equivelent of 12 servings + a bone for the cats.

Can I have a number please? (if I promise not to eat the food DH bought:D )

rach

just told my OH on the phone that i was giving up supermarkets for lent....his response was kind of as i predicted ("what's the point in that, its just the way the world works economically that the big stores win"). i told him where to stick his theories and that although i agree that economically he's right, i am choosing to do this to support my local shops. i think he got it in the end...he just doesn't like change. he can't believe that meat from the butchers will be any better but suggested we get 2 steaks and i let him cook them blind and we see which is best.... good idea methinks i think he's getting a bit worried with my 'cleaning obsession' (as he calls it) and my meal plans and typed up shopping lists that i'm prematurely becoming a middle aged housewife (i'm 29!)

anyway, i reckon i'll win him over.

competitionscafe

I came across this blog post by "Shirley Goode, the BBC's cost-cutting-cook" - never heard of her, but it's a great post and blog - here's an excerpt:

<"To a more serious note. There is a reason why milk is sold so cheaply in supermarkets. Even though customers often do their big shop once a fortnight (or month), fresh milk is needed every week (it can last longer but takes up too much room in the fridge). Now - even though most people enter the store intending to buy only the milk, because it is placed towards the back of the store, customers nearly always are tempted to pick up and buy more foods on their way in and on their way out. Silly Billy's in fact.
On an earlier TV programme during the week they showed how a farmer was having to sell his stock of dairy cows due to the very low price the supermarkets paid for the milk, so low he was now making a loss, not a profit. Further to that, I read yesterday that more and more farmers are having to lose their dairy herds for the same reason, and that if this goes on there will not be enough British milk left and a lot will then be imported.
I feel that although we do pay more for doorstep milk, that we should stop buying supermarket milk and go back to the old traditions. As I have often mentioned, the milkman delivers a lot more than just milk, and my milk also comes from a local farm. Having no deliveries last week I can say that the milk delivered the week before shows no sign of 'going off'.
Many of you I know do prefer to pay more for foods like good meat from the butchers, and free-range eggs. Why not also fresh doorstep milk? I pay a total of £1 a week more for having our milk and other (numerous items) delivered to my doorstep (in the early hours so still chilled when I open the door). Probably much more than that would be spent on casual and unnecessary purchase when the need for supermarket milk forces us into the store.
For anyone who feels that supermarkets are doing the dirty on our farmers, then do log on to https://www.findmeamilkman.net and see if you have one in your locality. Time we backed the farmers. Nothing will change unless we make it so. And we do have the power if enough of us bother.">
Full post and rest of blog: http://shirleygoode.blogspot.com/2007/02/country-affairs.html

By the way, going by her profile I think we should be inviting her to join us all here on 'Old Style' ?!

<"About Me: Shirley Goode
Location: Yorkshire, GB

A chatty being, especially anything to do with cookery, and self-sufficiency. Loves the challenge of making the most of what you've got, and spending less each time I take up a new challenge. No age limit to enjoying the fun of it all, so always hoping more and more will be interested in the whole cost-cutting game. ">

Anyway, i have been looking at the archives and it's a great read - thansk Shirley (whover you are!)
[ http://shirleygoode.blogspot.com/ ]

catznine

I'm a big fan of Shirley Goode, have all her books and read her blog often. If you can find copies of her books they are worth buying especially Goode for one in which she has shopping lists and uses local shops as well as supermarkets.

I am sure I read somewhere in another thread that she does indeed pop on here sometimes. Wouldn't it be lovely if she joined?

jeppy

I buy from our local Green grocers, Barretts, however, they closed the actual shop, but you can still buy through the internet/email orders.

In addition, when we buy steak, we buy from the local farm, Non go bye.

The prices may be a little higher than supermarkets, but the quality is far superior.

Supermarkets are ok for tins and dried foods, in our experience they are not so hot on fresh produce!!!

angela110660

In The Same Vein, I Am Boycotting Sainsburys For A Month. Reason Being That A Couple Of People I Know Who Have Switched Allegiance To Another Supermarket Are Getting Bombarded With Vouchers For Sainsburys, Free Boxes Of Chocolate Vouchers On Their Birthdays.
We Who Constantly Spend There - Too Predictable - Get None Of These. Hope That I Will Kickstart The Voucher Bandwagon By My Boycott.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

hi.. guys........looby-loo you are rebel no....19

welcome aboard:T .. i will add you to the list on the first post...

well guys i am feeling quite choked.....that you want to nominate this thread.....so a BIG THANKS:beer: ......

you have really boasted my confidence in myself.......

and i am sooooo thrilled that so many others feel the same about the big gun supermarkets.....better get a clean hanky now....yes i am also trying to use os hankies... and wash them with the towels....lol..... well their cheap enough in the charity shops.....about 25p for a pack....plus its saves the enviroment...... and the pennies....:D

looby-loo......men:mad: allways the same..... dont worry....you will have a few hick ups.....dont forget.... shopping is habbit forming... so its about breaking that habbit of going to tescos.. or what ever supermarket you use......give it time......

competitionscafe............soooo true what shirley goode is saying..... will take a look at her blog.. and bookmark it me thinks........

has nayone seen cazzdevil? just thinking about them last night.. havent seen them around..... going now to have a cuppa before my tribe gets out of their pits

sandieb

Off on a slight tangent. Did anyone see the young man who started making jam (on Breakfast News). I'd hoped to watch the item but the phone went. Is this jam available on the internet or through (dare I say it) supermarkets only? He would be good to buy direct from.

Skint_Catt

Yes I saw the jam boy, but he's supplying Waitrose now!

I think you lot need t-shirts!

I promise to try and match what you're doing, but it might be a little difficult at the mo. I'll do everything I can though!

Catt xx

sandieb

Can I register as a trainee rebel?