How to do a monthly budget food shop?

MysteryMe

For only 1 adult and 2 kids I think I'd rather do a weekly shop.

You can keep a better eye on bargains and reductions and it's easier to train yourself to buy what you actually need rather than anticipating what you might need in 3 weeks time if that makes sense?

I think you'd end up spending less than your budget without too much difficulty if you can be flexible in your planning.

freyasmum

maman wrote: »

If you've time Co-op often do good reductions in the evenings.

I'm not a monthly shopper but if you want to do it I'd suggest you only buy basics and keep some cash for perishables.

I have to agree.

I don't normally go into my co-op cos it's in the housing estate and I'm obviously a bit of a snob

However, I popped in on Christmas Eve to get some profiteroles and came out with bags of stuff - mince for just over £1/pack, peppers, mushrooms, heads of brocolli, etc for 20p/pack. Mine doesn't have the biggest selection but I could've gotten enough to feed my daughter and myself dinner for a week for about a fiver.

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

I'd be tempted to go for a big £120 - £140 ish shop and then leave around £15 - £20/week for fresh stuff & to allow for bargains.

I prefer to do smaller shops, but if you're intent on one bigger shop, then I'd leave a bit more - as above - for fruit, veg and milk.

millionaire_in_training

hi I do a monthly shop and then a top up of fresh food every 10 days or so. I have been on a budget of £350 for 2 teens and me but am going to try and get that to £300 and then £250 this year. I still like to buy treats and we drink loads of juice which pushes my budget up. I have discovered though that despite paying the delivery charge my best way to shop is online. Stops me from buying on impulse which I am very very guilty of . Good luck

maman

cleggie wrote: »

Thanks for letting me know about co-op evening reductions, any idea what time in the evening is the best time to go?

I agree it varies but I tend to call in about 7.30 p.m. when I can although sometimes there are things marked down in the day too. It's just worth having a look.



For only 1 adult and 2 kids I think I'd rather do a weekly shop.

You can keep a better eye on bargains and reductions and it's easier to train yourself to buy what you actually need rather than anticipating what you might need in 3 weeks time if that makes sense?

Like mysteryme said I think what might happen is that if you're careful you could have lots of 'basics' left over at the end of the month. Personally (if you've got space) I'd rather save up enough spare cash to really stock up on offers and reductions whenever you can. I've got a storecupboard full of cans, bottles and jars (none of which were full price) and freezers full of portioned up meats and batch cooking all of which I've built up over time. That means each week I only need to buy bread, milk, veg and any other offers;) If you have a Lidl or an Aldi then the veg will be cheaper than any supermarket.

cleggie

Thanks guys.
I think i'll do a big £120 shop at the start of the month, for tinned stuff, frozen stuff and toiletries, then i will have £20 per week to pick up fresh things like bread, milk, eggs, and the deals that are in the supermarkets that week.
I will aim to do the majority of my food shop in Lidl, so hopefully that will mean the £200 budget will stretch.

Just out of interest, is £200 considered to be a suitable budget for 1 adult and 2 kids (the kids eat a LOT!)?

Flat_Eric

I usually do a big home delivery shop at the beginning of the month and then top up with small shops albeit these seem to add quids to my food spends if I'm not careful. Planning is the key.

January I suspect is going to be eating up what I have in the freezers and cupboards!

Lynsey

cleggie wrote: »

Just out of interest, is £200 considered to be a suitable budget for 1 adult and 2 kids (the kids eat a LOT!)?

£200 can go a long, long way. If you can manage to find some "whoopsies" you can use, your £200 will stretch a long way. Sometimes I can get stuff in Sainsburys late on for 10%/20% of the original cost. The original cost may have been higher than other shops though, but bargains can be had. Try not to pay full supermarket price, half-price offers, BOGOF's, reduced items etc. - but NOT full price!!
Aldi as mentioned, along with Lidl can be a great place for fuit and veg offers.
Probably more difficult for yourself with 2 kids to feed, they might be more "picky", but hopefully you will find a workable solution. Try and get them involved, making pizzas with naan breads for bases is an example, let them put their own topping on - they'll think they're pizza chefs. lol. It can be an education though getting the kids involved.

Good luck.

Lynsey

flloydhow

i would go online!
you get to see all the relevant offers and current deals.
i use mysupermarket.co.uk - they have all the big stores and really save me a lot of money every time i use it.
after choosing my items, they show me cheaper alternatives which are usually quite as good.
plus - a lot of stores give out free delivery or special £ off for buying there the first time.

pourwitty

I would do 4 weekly shops, the key to budget is veg and veg will go off if you buy it all in one go.

£200 a month = 50 week= 16.60 per person per week.

I have just posted what i spend £15 a week on.
(cant link as i'm a new user- £10 t0 £15 for food a week thread)

It is easier if you have more people but still £15 each, as you can increase the amount of ingredients;
i mean, i can feed me AND my mum by adding just £7 worth of food to my £15 shop, rather than spending £15 on her as well

Lynsey

pourwitty wrote: »

I have just posted what i spend £15 a week on.
(cant link as i'm a new user- £10 t0 £15 for food a week thread)

Link HERE

Lynsey