Shopping - where and how much ?

MadMonkey

Hi - I am trying to reduce my shopping bills but so far it is not working too well !

I used to do a weekly online Tesco shop but changed it to fortnightly to try and save money. This does not seem to have worked at all as I then have to go to Sainsburys every 3-4 days for milk / bread / yoghurts e.t.c.

I have also had a month or so of sourcing local produce and have been to the village butchers and veg shop - now this seems to be costing hell of a lot more than the supermarkets.

Would a weekly Tesco online shop be the best ?

Also what should I be aiming for budget wise ? - There are 2 adults, 2 children and a baby. We don't buy nappies (use cloth) but do buy baby milk weekly. Also 2 cats and 2 dogs.


Thanks a lot for any replies.

shell2001

I have to be honest and having looked at what some people spend on a weeks shopping budget I spend of fruit and veg alone. I think a lot of it depends on where you live and what shops you have available. I live in a small town that has a somerfield (small branch) local veg shop and local butchers shop (which is so dirty I walked in and back out the last time I visited). I dont have transport and as I work weekends when hubby is home with the car i do the majority of my shopping online (tesco).

I guess what I am trying to say is dont beat yourself up about not achieving the same low budget as others do.

I have been doing a monthly bulk shop with tesco and buying fresh fruit and veg local (which I will continue to do so). I think next month I will try doing a weekly on-line shop as going to the local somerfields costs a fortune (seriously inflated prices).

Good luck

Ytaya

Are you doing meal planning? That might help - sit down and work out a fortnight's menu at a time, then go and buy only what you need to make those meals - remembering to check your store cupboard so you don't buy something you already have!

Maybe you could list a typical shopping list for more specific advice?

lil_me

With farm shops you can always price compare per kilo etc see how it works out. I was convinced I was paying more at the farm shop for meat until I looked at prices per kilo, I pay a lot less for most of it.

Anyway, like Shell said, I wouldn't compare what you spend to others, as a lot depends on the 'postcode lottery' what you have available where you live etc.

Ytaya is right, if you can show what you buy etc maybe some can offer advice as what could be saved on.

As for bread, milk etc I either make my own bread and freeze or buy enough for the week and freeze it, yoghurts etc either make my own or buy enough for the week, milk I get delivered, few pence a bottle more but resists that 'extras' spending.

RugbyLisa

Why don't you write down everything you spend and where for the next few weeks and maybe it may show the things that work for you and more importantly the things that don't.

I shop online (alternate Tesco and Asda to get the bargains) every two weeks, and inbetween by buying milk from the milkman (more expensive I know but it stops me shopping) it means I only ever have to pick up maybe bread or fruit from the local shop as I'm on my way to school etc.

This now works for me, as I found when I went shopping every week it was just a trolly frenzy!!

lil_me

If you throw anything away & this contributes to overspending a waste list may also help

LilMissEmmylou

i used to do online tesco shops or once every 2 weeks in store. I decided to give up supermarkets for the month and i have to say it has hugely cut down my shopping bill. I shop around in the little local ones such as co-op, spar (dunno if u have these) vg and vivo. I pick up their free leaflets every 2 weeks to see who has what offers on, but then I also have time to do that and you may not. I also love my local butchers (odd to say that as im a veggie lol) and veg shop as i find the quality better even if meat costs a little more (fruit and veg much cheaper!).

Like people above have said you really just need to find what will work best for you, trial and error good luck

Addiscomber

shell2001 wrote: »

I have to be honest and having looked at what some people spend on a weeks shopping budget I spend of fruit and veg alone. I think a lot of it depends on where you live and what shops you have available.

I guess what I am trying to say is dont beat yourself up about not achieving the same low budget as others do.

I would like to applaud you for saying this. I have been reading this board less and less lately because of what I feel is a competetive attitude over who can spend the least, which has to the potential to make people feel inadequate if, through reasons totally outside their control, they cannot achieve similar figures. It is almost as though some contributors want to make people feel that it is a crime to spend money on food/housekeeping.

It is one thing to encourage cooking from scratch versus buying ready meals for both health and money reasons, and also to help people avoid waste, but being OS is about a lot more than having the lowest shopping bill in the country.

teedy23

good for you Addiscomber, I wouldnt like to see this thread become too competitive, theres no way everyone can spend a few coppers on feeding a family, it depends whats available to you and how much a family can stand. Doing your best is what this is all about, and most of the hints and tips are really good. I,m having the family round on Sunday and will spend extra to ensure we all have the nicest meal I can make and wont be counting the cost too much, but will keep an eye on it tho

bizzylizzy

I am lucky in that I have a choice of supermarkets near me to - I have found Asda to be the cheapest for us.

razra

I used to shop online but discovered I was spending a fortune and buying way more than I could eat (its just me) just to justify the delivery charge

Now I walk to town on a saturday and buy my food for the week ( I spend roughly £10) as by walking I can only buy what I can carry so suddenly those "deals" arent so appealing, eg I dont really eat crips/sweets etc and yes they may be bogoff but I have to carry them so its either them or real food LOL

Works for me, I tend to shop in Somerfields now as I find that the cheapest for me and most of their value range is really good.

also I have a look in the cupboards before I go and see what Ive used that week and try to replenish that so I dont end up with 20 tins of toms etc as Id forgotten what I have in the cupboards

If I decide to do a "bigger shop" then I pop into Lidl on my way home from work as I have to drive right by it, but even then I dont spend more than about £20 and thats mainly freezer stuff and washing powder thats to heavy to carry when I walk