Trying to reduce my grocery bill, any advice please

narabanekeater

perhaps if you look at it as £25 a week it will seem more possible £100 sounds so much more
Can you pop up a list of what you buy on a weekly/monthly basis for us to have a look at? One of my best tips is to shop around. Blueberries are a good explame 2 for £3 at Sainsburys says my DH clutching his 2 punnets to nibble at while watching Tv. 69p each at Aldi I said. We also use a lot of frozen veg and pots. Theres no waste with frozen bread. Two of my children have to have special diets so we use a lot of fresh foods, bread is 3 for £2 in Farmfoods, milk 2 for £1.80p and Nicky loo rolls. Were a family of 5 plus I always seem to be feeding at least one more person or more at weekends and I think we do quite well.

phizzimum

Don't be down hearted! There's always some room for manoeuvre - it sounds like you're going to have to make changes gradually.

Are you buying value products where possible? Does yr budget include cleaning products and toiletries?

Maybe if you gave us a typical week 's menus - all meals and snacks - we could make some suggestions

We love fish too, and I share your DH's concern about river cobbler. My DH goes fishing though - not a cheap hobby but it keeps the freezer full. So if any of your friends fish, start being extra nice to them!

tigerfeet2006

Make a list of what is in your freezer/fridge and cupboards. Menu plan for the week. Just make a list of things you need to make 7 main meals for the week, breakfast and lunch using as much as you have in at the moment. Make a list of the food you need to complete the plan. Go onto MySupermarket.com and do your food order on there, it will tell you the cheapest supermarket and take you there to do an online delivery. Go for the cheapest delivery slot you can.

Use the Vouchers board to get MOC's as well. Sign up to the Grocery Challenge on this board and read how people get their food bills down.

Do you have a slow cooker? They are great for if you are working. Do you have a bread maker? You can make loaves for 30p to 40p.

When I plan I look at doing 3 to 4 SC meals, at least one simple meal like omlette, baked pots with filling, soup and HM bread. 2 vegie meals a week. A roast type meal as well so I can get several meals from one ie: 'rubber chicken' (search on this board for RC threads ) Chicken in the SC with lemon quaters in the cavity, garlic under the skin, herbs over the skin and a bit of salt and peppper. That will do Sunday dinner for 5 of us and then a risotto, pie or curry during the week. Plus I can make soup or stock from the carcass.

You need to sit down and work out what your mortgage/rent costs, council tax, utilities, insurances, car costs, clothes, food etc. cost you. Then how much you are paying towards debts ie: credit cards, loans etc. Then sit down your DH and show him so he can see what needs to be done t live with in your means.

This will help you.
http://makesenseofcards.co.uk/soacalc.html

What has bought about this need to cut back? I do agree though £450 a month is a lot of money for 3 people. Though before I started the Grocery Challenge over a year ago I was spending up to £600+ for the five of us.

sitcom321

thank you everybody for your suggestions i will take it all on board. i will make a list of what my weekly spend is and post and see what you think. just made a spag bol and while i am writint this OH is moaning about the quality of the mince. ( i bought a cheaper one this week)!!!

redlady_1

Dont tell him! Tell him you bought organic and see what happens then.

narabanekeater

ahh the famous moaning OH. Mine used to only drink Nescafe, eat fresh veg well I could go on. Mind you he still thinks hes having Kelloggs as well. Either buy cheaper and decant into the more expensive packaging or buy tupperware for cereals etc. Bet you he doesnt notice and if he does tough. Have you sat him down to talk to him about the situation. It shocked my OH when he realisd how much £1.05p a day on newspapers cost in a year. You can do this but it will be easier with the family on board so to speak. I now bake all our cakes and snacks. Mainly cause of the 2 children with feeding issues as I mentioned before however its also great fun to do with my children and it does taste nicer as well and is a lot cheaper.

cleggie

sitcom321 wrote: »

thank you everybody for your suggestions i will take it all on board. i will make a list of what my weekly spend is and post and see what you think. just made a spag bol and while i am writint this OH is moaning about the quality of the mince. ( i bought a cheaper one this week)!!!

If i were you i'd be telling your OH that if he wants to act like a child (moaning about quality of mince and not agreeing to help you by facing it and suggesting cheaper alternatives) then he will get treated like one (which means eating what he's given by you and if he doesnt like it he can go hungry).

phizzimum

At the risk of contradicting myself, I wouldn't buy value/basics meat. I prefer to buy better mince but pad it out with lentils and oats. My family aren't adverse to meat free meals, and you can make them seem special. Eg a veg curry but serve with homemade chapattis and a yoghurt dip or risotto with sprinkling of goats cheese That way I can still afford good meat - it just has to streeeetch!

squeaky

Hi,

Take a look at the Grocery Challenge sticky at the top of the forum listing, and also have a browse of the various links in the first post.

oldtractor

try Approved Foods [google it]. I am very pleased with their products.