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

kscour

saw this today - looked at the graph at the bottom and saw the increase in Mr T and decrease in others & independants. Will try harder!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7245944.stm

Icemaiden

With alot of people reporting the rapid rise in their grocery bills I hope nobody minds me digging up this thread again;)

With the supermarkets upping there prices I'm finding there is now very little differance between the small independent stores I use and the likes of Mr T. Iam very lucky that we have a good selection of stores plus a great market for fruit & veg, where only today I got my first British strawberries, 2lb for £1.50:j I don't buy half as much rubbish I used to just because its on " special offer " or BOGOF so I'm able to stay within my budget..I know I'm repeating myself yet again:rolleyes: apologies in advance:D

Ice
x

crockpot

Count me in as well!!

Maybe if I keep out of the supermarket I will not overspend buying `bargins` when I have food in the freezer and cupboards.

Shopped from home tonight!!

tageltelli, tin chicken in sauce,tin condensed mushroom soup, frozen peas and sweetcorn, cooked pasta and added it all together.

It was yum and some left over for another meal as well.

Going to now go and lurk in the bottom of the freezer and see what I can find for tea tomorrow.

Hubbie is at home with the boys, so will leave him with enough money for some milk and he can take the boys to the local shop tommorrow- or I would have called at supermarket on way home from work and spent loads.

OrkneyStar

Hi,
Can I attempt to join please ?
We have Lidl, Coop (3 of varying sizes) and soon to have Tesco, also plenty small local shops and butchers (although not many shops within walking distance of me) within 15 miles. Already try to spread my custom out and would love to at least try to minimise what I buy in bigger shops. Think the struggle will be washing stuff, loo roll etc

looby-loo_2

A comment I made on another long forgotton thread inspired COOLTRIKERCHICK to start this thread. I have quietly stuck to it for the most part. I went to a big supermarket just three times last year. I went to a smaller local supermarket four times. For all the rest of the shoppping I used the village shops, farm shops, market (I bought a shopping trolley to save my arms), carboot sales, WI stall at the church or grew or picked my own. I honestly believe it is cheaper than the supermarket. Less money, less packaging, less petrol miles and much less time and supporting my local producers too. I have been a little more lately (Lidl) for cat food as I rescued a cat with kittens)

Then I took it a step further - you may think I'm mad. I give loads of homegrown produce away. Sometimes people want to pay me but I always said 'no, it's OK' Then someone brought me a bag of sugar in return for 2 jars of jam. I grew plants for someone who didn't have a greenhouse and she gave me a jar of my favorite coffee. It's like a sort of 'wish list' for things I would otherwise have to go to the supermarket for. Now if they offer I just say 'No, but get me a bag of flour (or whatever) if you remember' and most do.

OrkneyStar

looby-loo wrote: »

A comment I made on another long forgotton thread inspired COOLTRIKERCHICK to start this thread. I have quietly stuck to it for the most part. I went to a big supermarket just three times last year. I went to a smaller local supermarket four times. For all the rest of the shoppping I used the village shops, farm shops, market (I bought a shopping trolley to save my arms), carboot sales, WI stall at the church or grew or picked my own. I honestly believe it is cheaper than the supermarket. Less money, less packaging, less petrol miles and much less time and supporting my local producers too. I have been a little more lately (Lidl) for cat food as I rescued a cat with kittens)

Then I took it a step further - you may think I'm mad. I give loads of homegrown produce away. Sometimes people want to pay me but I always said 'no, it's OK' Then someone brought me a bag of sugar in return for 2 jars of jam. I grew plants for someone who didn't have a greenhouse and she gave me a jar of my favorite coffee. It's like a sort of 'wish list' for things I would otherwise have to go to the supermarket for. Now if they offer I just say 'No, but get me a bag of flour (or whatever) if you remember' and most do.

You seem to be doing really well. I am relatively new at all this but would love to even get halfway to what you've managed! My son is 11 months so when I do go walking to the shop we can use the trolley under that and save my poor arms! I have also just planted some things, mainly in big pots (tatties, shallots, beetroot seed, logan berry plant) and also in little propagators with the hope of transferring out into bigger tubs/pots (toms, cucums, lettuce, and peppers from seed) and maybe even outside. Also mean to get to the farmers market as I know there is one some saturdays in nearest town. Like I said I think its the things like loo roll etc that might be a bit more difficult.

Icemaiden

looby-loo wrote: »

A comment I made on another long forgotton thread inspired COOLTRIKERCHICK to start this thread. I have quietly stuck to it for the most part. I went to a big supermarket just three times last year. I went to a smaller local supermarket four times. For all the rest of the shoppping I used the village shops, farm shops, market (I bought a shopping trolley to save my arms), carboot sales, WI stall at the church or grew or picked my own. I honestly believe it is cheaper than the supermarket. Less money, less packaging, less petrol miles and much less time and supporting my local producers too. I have been a little more lately (Lidl) for cat food as I rescued a cat with kittens)

Then I took it a step further - you may think I'm mad. I give loads of homegrown produce away. Sometimes people want to pay me but I always said 'no, it's OK' Then someone brought me a bag of sugar in return for 2 jars of jam. I grew plants for someone who didn't have a greenhouse and she gave me a jar of my favorite coffee. It's like a sort of 'wish list' for things I would otherwise have to go to the supermarket for. Now if they offer I just say 'No, but get me a bag of flour (or whatever) if you remember' and most do.

This is fantastic:T Well done you.

OrkneyStar

Well failed miserably by doing a shop at COOP to use up a £3 off £20 voucher however while in there I did spend £4.50 on local potatoes so happy about that. Also got a few bits in a wee local shop yesterday- incl local beremeal flour and a tub of stork. Hopefully produce some nice cakes/bread and maybe some bannocks (a local bread type thingy).
Must try harder next week.:eek: :eek:

katelu

Okay, so I have been thinking about totally changing my shopping habits as every attempt at cutting down in Mr T's isn't working for me! So a few months ago a farm shop opened locally and I went for a nosy today - they sell fruit and veg, meat, bread and fish. All a bit pricier than Mr T's of course, but no other temptations and supporting local farmers/local produce. Anyone else do this? How does it work out? Is it worth a trial do you reckon? Thanks in advance:D

bubbs

Hi,
I dont do it but thats beacuse i have not found a farm shop here that sells meat !
I do go to the farm shop for a sack of spuds as it cheaper than buying the small bags at the supermarket, and i usually pick up other stuff while i am there, but to be honest i have been using Lidl alot lately and when i go to a different town i go to Farmfoods(not one here).
But i can see it being quite a good idea , like you say no temptaions!