No thrills groceries and toiletries

..ukeuro

Dear all

I am on a DMP, currently working to repay £22,000 of unsecured debts.

I am determined to change my shopping habits in 2012, in an attempt to budget my money better.

I was wondering if, out of all the 'no frills' / cheapest supermarket brands for groceries / toiletries, is there one which has the better reputation, to anyone's knowledge (eg Sainsbury's Basic Range, Asda Smart Price, Tesco Value (?) I have to say that when it comes to toiletries and groceries, i generally go for the named brands, just because I'm familiar with them and not very adventurous. Any opinions / help would be really helpful!!

Thank you.

immoral_angeluk

You can get named brands cheaper in places like poundland or the 99p store. Failing that try one brand lower than you would usually buy and see how you get on.

Pink-Angel

Hi there,

With food I think it depends on the item. I use some of Sainsburys and Morrisons value ranges (ie chopped tomaotes - fine for pasta sauces), and their own branded in some others (beans, orange juice, bread etc). It's also worth keeping an eye out for good offers on branded products. I don't shop in Tesco as I personally find it the most expensive supermarket, I tend to use Morrisons. We don't have an Asda so I can't comment there. If you have a Lild or Aldi some of their products are worth trying. With cleaning products I regularly use own brands - Sainsburys and Morrisons - and find them to be fine. Medicines (ibuprofen etc) can be bought much cheaper if you go for the shop's own brand.

With toiletries I think you can't beat Superdrug's own brand. They're Swiss Apple anti ageing range has had good reviews, and the best thing about all their own brand products is they give you a refund if you don't like the product (so no money lost!). Superdrug is much cheaper than Boots. If you have a Wilksinsons it's worth looking in there for things, they are cheap and do many different products.

These are just my thoughts but hope it helps and good luck :-)

shebangs

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yasmin2

Hi,

I did a shop at Aldi's a couple of days ago and have had no issues with their food. It seems to be much cheaper than the supermarkets' own brands but of a better quality in my opinion. The range isn't as wide as where I normally shop but that's fine, I think the quality more than makes up for it. Even the frozen products seem fine but they seem more orientated for meat-eaters so again only of limited use for me. Bought some veg - again, great quality.

Still have to venture elsewhere for my coffee tho lol

cabbage

Homebargains or H& M do some good deals. If you are a member of Costco, their Kirkland range is very good quality. I use their washing powder - it costs £14 ish and lasts 440 washes! you can even clean your floors with it. If you are not a member then its probably cheaper to go with someone who is. Membership is around £29 for a year. Not all things are cheaper in Costco when you add the Vat but when things are offer its often cheaper to buy in bulk.

yasmin2

Shebangs,

Hope you don't mind me asking/being nosy but should your signature read 2011. If so, how did you manage to pay off so much in such a short space of time...

yasmin

camuk81

B&M usually have a lot of stuff cut price with low sell by dates on them.

yasmin2

camuk81 wrote: »

B&M usually have a lot of stuff cut price with low sell by dates on them.

What is B&M?

I am quite interested in changing my shopping habits as well

quintwins

yasmin2 wrote: »

What is B&M?

I am quite interested in changing my shopping habits as well

http://www.bmstores.co.uk/

lidl toilet roll is cheap at £1.49 for 10 rolls (i think it might be abit dearer in other areas as sonone posted once theres was £1.89) it's far from quilted but works well (theres no need to flush money away) i don't recommend blowing your nose with it if you have a cold tho - ouch

i use sainburys value baby bath in my soap dispensers pay 9p a bottle (buy loads when they do 1/2 baby event) and it does 2 fills

camuk81

http://www.bmstores.co.uk/