How to get the most out of £50 Sainsbury giftcard?

SprucyMoosey

Hey guys!

I'm new to posting, but been reading threads on here for years!

So, I'm looking for a little help. I left my partner a few months back, and moved in with friends. I've got my own place now, costing me more than I earn, but I start Uni in September and will be getting my student loan from the 23rd of September. I have a budget of £25 a week for food, and I'm trying to eat healthy on it. I have an all electric flat, costing me around £9 a week at the moment, but haven't really cooked that much.

I have a steamer, which I have yet to use, a small george forman type grill, a blender, a microwave, a 4 ring electric hob and a fan assisted electric oven. For storage I have loads of cupboard space, a small table top freezer and a fridge.

Basically I want some help, like meal ideas, and shopping list type thing to help me. Rather than living on beans on toast and cereal. I can cook, and bake, I just don't have much cookware at the minute grrr.

I've just received a £50 Sainsburys giftcard via BT for signing a half price deal with them, and want to make the most out of it. I have very little in my store cupboard. Just basics - salt, pepper, gravy, pasta, rice, mayo, honey, peanut butter, jam. So any help. Stretch it as far as possible... Never been to Sainsburys...

Challenge set... Please help!

Thank you!

SM xx:)

boultdj

Basics tea bags[if you drink tea that is],
fish offcuts- fish pies/paella type dish
mince beef- chilli/lasagna/meatballs/cottage pie/mince beef pie/pasties/beef burgers
sausages- toad in the hole/sausage casserole/meatballs[again]
herbs and spices that you like
tin tomotoes/bake beans

mynellie

I would invest in a slow cooker which you could bulk up cheap mince with pulses and then freeze a few portions and they are really cheap on the electric plus you can cook most things in it there is a recipe thread for slow cookers

Goodluck nellie

lilian1977

Take a look here, Jack shops at Sainsburys so the prices should be pretty relevant: http://agirlcalledjack.com/category/below-the-line-budget-recipes/ You're her target audience - let us know how you get on! Good luck xx

Maitane

What kind of things would you like to eat? Is there any specific type of food you like more than others and is there anything you really hate?
The reason I ask is I'm more than happy to try and give some ideas but I'd hate to suggest something like 'mild, creamy mushroom curry with cauliflower aloo' if you hate mild food, mushrooms and cauliflowers (my own personal idea of food hell). :rotfl:

maman

If you can afford to I wouldn't use the card for a big shop. If you want to eat on a budget you'd be better off shopping at Aldi. You'll get all the basics there like pasta, tomatoes, fruit and veg, herbs, spices etc etc. What to eat depends on what you like but also how much freezer space you have and what sort of a cook you are.

After you've done your basic shop in Aldi I'd use the card for top-ups at Sainsbury's to buy the things Aldi doesn't sell or brands that you wouldn't compromise on.

Fruball

I am pretty sure you don't have to use it all in one go so I would keep it for emergencies when you have no/little cash.

Any

I cannot vouch for your Sainsburys, but in our Sainsburys they have a lot of yellow label stuff in the evening (stuff that goes out of date on that date so they are trying to move it).
In ours there is lots of fish to be had, and cuts of meat.

I also vouch for shopping at Asda/Lidl for what you can, and use your Sainsburys only for deals and yellow label stuff if you are on budget.

If it comes as a giftcard, it will last some time with the availability of using up off the balance as little at the time as you want.

AnnieO1234

Sainsbugs do a really great fish pie mix for £2. It's made up of salmon, pollock and smoked haddock. Really nice pieces for pies, pastas, suppers.

Sign up for a nectar card if you don't already have one and look out for any items with mega points offers. (500 points on a pack of toilet tissue type thing.)

Another staple I find is their frozen vegetable stir fry for £1.50. Some cheap noodles plus meat if you want makes for a cheap and easy dish, and you don't risk wasting food by buying fresh.

Their basics tinned ham for 99p is great on pizzas and is welfare standard.

Look on m&supermarket for the savvy buys of the day, promotions and products below average price.

Currently there's an offer on home pride flour in boxes rather than bags for 99p each - can be refilled with any flour.

Beans also (eg kidney) are on offer at mo, two for £1.

I second the pp who mentioned the girl called jack blog.

One last thing, have a look at their specialty foods things. You'll find cooking wine, red and white £1.02 for 250ml. Take a look at spices too but you're probably better off at tesco or asda for ethnic food aisles.

If your sainsbugs has say a polish section look there for hidden gems.

Rice and pasta avoid in sainsbugs, you will get far better value in tesco, asda or ethnic stores.

Xxx

lantanna

If it was mine (which its not) lol

I'd go for things like Wholemeal Pasta, Brown Rice, Cheese on a multi buy deal or that's reduced so you can bulk buy as its expensive.

I get my meat from the Butcher - don't trust the supermarkets.

Whatever is on offer really such as tins of tuna, tins of soup, or lentils etc to make your own.

Toilet Roll? Cleaning products that are on offer etc.

I have a budget of £30 per week and do sometimes struggle but then I include alcohol in that too:eek:

pigpen

sell it to someone who does shop at Sainsbugs and take the money to Lidl or Aldi and do your shopping there.. that is how you'll get the most from the money