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

HariboJunkie

I'd love to join this challenge but I live in a town with only one expensive butcher and no greengrocer, lots of fishmonger's though as it's a port.

The nearest town with any decent local shops is 100 miles away. We do have a farm shop but the last time I went there I bought a bag of sprout, some carrots, parsnip, spuds and chestnuts and it cost £12:eek:

So I still need to go to the supermarket.:o

I bake my own bread, make my own yoghurt, cook 99.9% of meals from scratch and I want to switch to doing a monthly shop instead. i will still need to buy milk and fruit and veg though. I would prefer to go and spend £150 a month plus tops ups of £50 so i don't overspend every week. recently my shopping budget has spiralled again because we've had a bit of extra money and when I've been ill my OH has shopped for rubbish:rolleyes:

So... I can't really join the challenge but I admire those of you who are and I will do what I can with what I've got.

rach

i got to the end of my challenge on easter sunday, as lent ended. i really enjoyed the challenge, it cut down my food spending a lot. i usually spend £100 a month on food. last month i got £80 out and still have about £7 left, and as we're on hols next week and that money will come from a different pot i reckon i can make march's budget last til may!!!

i will go back to the supermarket for a few small bits but not loads. i am converted to the butcher and to the market for fruit & veg. what was fab was that on sunday a guy from church came up to me and said that when i'd mentioned in church i was boycotting supermarkets for lent he has been inspired and had done the same!!

thanks CTC and all the others for the nudge to do this! i have realised i do not have to rely on mr T!!!

katmad99

well, today i bought things in tescos for the first time since the challenge began. Felt a bit horrible, but it was necessary.
I dont think i'll go back to being the supermarket shopper that i was, but it's so hard to find some things that i think i'll end up resorting to MrT or adsa now and then. But i now spend a lot less on my food, buy mainly locally produced food, and i've had a fun time discovering new shops and markets (i LOVE my local farmers market..food with mud on!! it's REAL!!! rather than wrapped in plastic and shipped from god knows where!)

So it's definately been a good challenge and i feel much better for having done it and not being one of those people still wandering round asda with a massive trolley load of food under the impression that they're getting a 'bargain'.

I feel a bit more educated about food and always buy local when i can.
Thanks for letting me join, Cooltrikerchic, and i hope everyone else has had a good experience without the supermarkets to and will continue to do their best without them! xx

lil_me

Just a one to watch for, pointed out to a friend she was buying 'farm shop' eggs and pressumed free range and they were not as the code on them started with a 3.

hazzie123

lil-me what is the code for free range?

competitionscafe

battery caged eggs: number 3
barn eggs: 2
free-range: 1
organic: 0

vivw_2

lil_me wrote: »

Catzine, what is the stuff like from Jimmy's if you don't mind me asking ? Do you get it delivered or live near the farm ?

QUOTE]

I live near Jimmy's and have found the meat to be excellent....expensive but well worth it. Also if you are lucky when you visit you get to see Jimmy too...what a treat!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

well i actualy went into tescos this week......because the local shops were closed.....

and to be honest i felt like a rabbit in the headlights...:eek:

i went in for a few bits and came out with stuff i did not want because i knew i just didnt want to be in there....

i must admit going back in there has just put the seal of approval onto it.... that what i have been doing is right....

as i havent been in there for weeks and weeks.... and have broken the shopping habbit.... i was all confused...

i think i done me the world of good going into tescos....and its made more determined than ever to try and not put money into tescos profit purse....

some times you need to take that step backwards to realise how far you've come..( hope that makes sense)

i am totally proud of you guys.....:T :T :T :T

Psykicpup

Well...I'm still doing this :A although I have to admit I still shop in my local Co-op :eek: - I would miss all the staff in there if I gave it up completely! They are ethical & put money back into the local community which I think is great.
We now use either our local butcher or local game store for meat & occasionally a family run butchers in town who does amazing deals on lovely meat. Butcher also does veg - i bought asparagus tips there for 60p!!(£1.99 in Mr T) :money: The local post office sells cleaning stuff - inc stardrops & the paper shop two doors down does decent but cheap loo rolls & a selection of groceries. Our milk is delivered & paid for by dd so very easy & convenient!:D So is the dog food btw
We use farm shops for veg & stuff & have actually found one that labels its produce (even cheeses) with its food miles! :T
I'm loving this & not going to stop now! :j I do feel bad now after previous posters saying they dont shop on a Sunday cos thats when we do most of our shopping! But it is a family thing (if my daughter comes round lol) Its so much fun going for a drive into the country on a Sunday, finding the local farms, getting the veg & stuff then coming home & cooking it for Sunday dinner. Everyone in the stores are so very friendly too - I'm making some great friends:beer:
Finding it hard to source decent quantitys of washing powder tho locally:o I can only get those tiny 10 wash boxes which dont even last a week in this house! If anyone can suggest anywhere I would be very grateful! I can give links to the places I use in return!!:A

ps just found out our butcher has started selling locally produced bbq charcoal too :A

Icemaiden

Just a quick update.... I am nearly at the end of our second month without stepping into any supermarket:D I won't need to buy anything else now as fully stocked up to last us until the 27th.

This month I have actually gone over my budget of £200 by £15.20 = £215.20for the 4 of us. I have put this down to me been abit more experimental and trying to introduce the kids to more new tastes. I even made my own Ice-cream last week as couldn't find anywhere to buy it During the middle of the month I did get a bit panicky as the cupboards seems to be empty where as usually there still full of junk from the supermarket. My average bin collection has been 1 1/2 bags per week instead of the normal 3 so less waste.

Looking forward to next month:j

Ice
x