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

Firehorse

recovering_spendaholic wrote:

I have been toying with the idea of making yoghurt for some time and this challenge as got me thinking that I will start now, however I have just looked at the easyo stuff on yoghurt direct and lakeland and it seems to be really expensive - 10 sachets of stuff for £18:eek:

I don't know if you're aware, or could wait, but Julian Graves have a 50% sale at least twice a year, and it includes "everything" in store. I picked up my yoghurt maker for £8 and loads and loads of easiyo mixes (less than £1 each). I think the sales are Summer'ish and January.

Have been reading this board with interest, and well done to everyone. I will be joining the quest from next month.

All the best

FH

Peem

Well....

yesterday's no supermarket shop didn't go quite to plan. But I made it.

The farmshop listed on big barn was where I planned to get my veg (and possibly meat), but I couldn't find the blasted place. I printed out the map from the AA, with directions, even though I know the area pretty well. But there was no shop/farm/stall/anything to be found. Strange.

Went to greengrocer instead - he's not organic and I'm not convinced everything is UK sourced - but he's a local trader. Meat I got from butcher (and I've never cooked lamb before so I hope what I've got is ok)

Then I had to go to waitrose to get spices and stuff.

But I think I'm going ok. Big thing for me is carrying cash. I normally use debit card for most stuff (DH always knows if I have cash in my purse and manages to "need" it for something). But cash does focus me on what I'm spending so it's not necessarily a bad thing, just needs a little organisation.


Right -off to investigate this missing shop.

catznine

I had to use our little local co-op for a few bits yesterday £10 spent and managed to get some cheeses, milk, bread, sausages and some hoummous. From next week milk will be delivered by Abel and Cole. Another day away from Mr T!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

well just put an order in with the organic shop... which will be delivered on tuesday.... only bits came to £18.93.....

more corn for popcorn.... more tinned toms.....
ecvoer washing up liquid..... olive oil..... rocks organic squash......welsh butter..... and welsh cheese.....

didnt have cornflour......so will have to get that else where.......

at the mo... i know some of the stuff i am buying from the fruit/veg man..... is not local..... no bananas plantations in swansea.....:rolleyes:

but its money away from the supermarkets.......

buy my bread is made local....... most of my meat is local.......and in the summer when my veggies start growing..... they will be very local.....:D

Penny-Pincher!!

Have I missed the answer to whether we can use Waitrose or not Does Lidls come under supermarket?

PP
xx

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Penny-Pincher!! wrote:

Have I missed the answer to whether we can use Waitrose or not Does Lidls come under supermarket?

PP
xx

ye they are supermarkets.......... but on saying that you do need a supermarket/cash and carry ... to fall back on if you are desperate.........i use the co-op.... for high juice as i cant find that anywhere......

but i have ordered rocks organic squash from the organic shop.. to be delivered on tuesday.... used to buy this in tescos...... and one of my boys said he didnt like it:mad:
so will try him again.....my weekly spend is going to be higher this week......with the pet food etc....... but from next thursay..... this is when our week starts..... plus its a new month...... so will be doing it on a monthly spend...... so hopefully over the month it will even out.....

Penny-Pincher!!

OH has been to the local shops this morning and bought a few things.

7 pork chops from the butchers and 6 FR eggs=£5.75:D ...the chops will do 2 meals for us 3. He also bought a lettuce, cucumber, carrots, large head of broccolii, onions x 2, parsnips and some butter=£2.44;)

OH popped to Makro yesterday and bought their Persil tablets (3 boxes) they have on special, loo rolls, kitchen paper towels, ive cream, tetley bags, frosties, lenor (20ltrs)and he also got some reductions-13 loaves of Warburtons 30p each, 1kg fresh Lasagna £1, 88% pork sausages £2.20 for 12, Pukka pies 25p each, quiche lorraine for DD's party (huge catering 12 portion one) reduced from £6.99 to £2.35, coleslaw 20p, milk x 3 x 1 litres 10p each and some other stuff totallig £61.00 This will last us a few months;)

PP
xx

hazzie123

Did my weekly shop today but I have had mixed feelings about it.

First butchers I went to I bought a ham shank,8 pork and leek sausages,half a pound of mince,came to £4.09,which I thought was ok.Then had a look at his chickens but they looked relaxed with their legs flappy and I`m that used to seeing a supermarket chicken tightly wrapped it kinda put me off.

So went to a posher looking butchers and bought a chicken pre-wrapped for £3 and 6 Santa sausages and got charged £7.87 for both.So 6 sausages cost me £4.87? I nearly had a heart attack.If the fat in the sausages dont kill me the price certainly will.

I have learnt a good lesson from today,dont judge the look of food from how it looks pre-wrapped in supermarkets.I think I have been brainwashed that much from using supermarkets for that many years I dont know what proper fresh food looks like.
Even on the fruit and veg market I was comparing how it looks from what I used to buy from the supermarket.

I`m sure it will get easier as the weeks progress and I have decided that the first butcher I went to will be my main one,most of it was locally reared and what I think is good priced.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

well done hazzie123......you are totally right with being brain washed at the way things look like......next time you to the btuchers ( the first one you went to ) you could ask him.. if he could tie the legs for you... if this helps......
santa sausages ? interesting.... whats in them ? let us know what they tasted like...

my local butcher has won awards for his hm sausages...:D and they are sooooo scrummy......i normally pay £2.30 -£2.80 for 8 sausages.......as this is how i ask for them in 8's so thats 2 each for a meal......

what you might find like myself...... yes i am paying mre for certain things..... but my over all weekly spend has actually come down..... as i am only buying what i need.....

well done....it is a bit of trial and error.... in the begining to find the right shops that suit you.....:T

lil_me

Just ordered from goodnessdirect to take advantage of the current promotion with free fruit and veg box with fresh orders over £35. Also to go on next months budget! Prices are higher than what I pay usually for meats but the free fruit and veg will hopefully make it worth it!