So How Do You Guys Do It?

Wood.Justin

SpikyHedgehog wrote: »

Have you tried http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/index.html?opt=p1m1 Weezl's meal planner? When I used the vegetarian version, I got the shopping down to £150 a month for 1 adult, 1 teenager, 1 8 yr old, the cat, & I included the toiletries etc in the shopping.

That's fairly impressive. I'd seen this sometime before actually, so thank you for this. I forgot to mention our budget includes toiletries and food for our cat too!

mummyyof5

I have switched form Mrms..spending on average £150 plus every week to L**ls and now spend around £400 a month,,,this is for 6 adults..a 5 year old..a very fussy 2 year old and 4 cats..and toiletries..we eat loads better too x

pigpen

We spend about £150-£175 a week for 2 adults, 8 children (2 almost adults, 1 T1 Diabetic) 6 cats, 1 rabbit

vanoonoo

Wood.Justin wrote: »

What steps do you think I could take to make further savings on our shopping bills?

are you using the price comparison sites? altho aldi is great value and fantastic quality, there could be cheaper options in the value type ranges in the traditional supermarkets. I still price check against tesco and often things in poundland are way cheaper than any other store so keep checking places like that if reducing that £150 is really important to you. it takes time and effort to make savings at this level so do take that into consideration.

what are your portion sizes like - could you or should you be cutting down in that regard?

are you making most of your meals from scratch and are you subbing in things like lentils/oats to bulk out meaty meals?

do you bake your own cakes and biscuits and bread?

are you using half the amount of soap powder in the washing machine and have you stopped using fabric conditioner?

are you making the most of everything you buy and have you started buying whole chickens rather than portions?