First supermarket shop for first house

Trixsie1989

Hi all,

We are due to move house soon and I'm trying to get a list together of what we would need to buy to stock up house from the supermarket for the first time.
We've never lived away from parents so I have no idea where to start.

Thanks,

Sarah xx

HappyMJ

Trixsie1989 wrote: »

Hi all,

We are due to move house soon and I'm trying to get a list together of what we would need to buy to stock up house from the supermarket for the first time.
We've never lived away from parents so I have no idea where to start.

Thanks,

Sarah xx

Just wander around the supermarket buying things you think you'll need. A first shop always costs a fortune as you are stocking the cupboard with essentials that last for quite a while. Do your first shop at a cheap supermarket like Aldi or Lidl then go to a more expensive supermarket to get the things that aren't stocked at the cheap one. I'd also consider going to an asian supermarket to get bags of spices (rather than tiny jars) and large bags of basmati rice for example.

You'll need a list of about 50 things...there is a web page somewhere that lists the essentials so find that and print it out and it'll be a good start.

purple45

If I were doing it I'd built up cupboard stock gradually over the first few months. Start with a good selection of cleaning products; cloths, washing up liquid, washing powder, loo roll etc. Then tea and coffee (wine and beer!). Then sit and work out some kind of menu plan for the first week and build your list around that. Breakfasts, fruit juice, milk, work out all your meals and think it through so that you can work out accompaniments (salt, vinegar, ketchup, herbs and spices). A few snacks for the cupboard or some fruit. If you stick to roughly working out a menu each week your stock of things in the cupboard will gradually build up but without things being wasted.

Celia

If you Google "store-cupboard essentials" - it comes up with a range of sites with various suggested lists depending if you are a student, family etc

Happy shopping!

Meadows

Be prepared for an expensive first shop as you will need to buy things that last a long while but seldom need replacing (herbs, spices, cupboard basics etc.) maybe buy them over a few shops especially if you plan to cook from scratch (home cooking and not out of packets, jars or ready meals).

Keep your eye open for bargain and bulk buys (all depending on budget & space).

Do check prices as sometimes bigger is not always cheaper.

Try shops own as well as branded labels.

When it comes to clothes wash try Powder and Soda crystals which works out far far cheaper (mix equal quantities of Wash Powder with Soda Crystals. Look out for really good offers on wash powder and if mixed with the soda crystals you can pay pence for each wash).

White Vinegar has many household cleaning uses (just browse the net) including descaling kettles etc.

As this is your first shop it will be trial and error as to quantities needed to last the week, fortnight, month that you plan to but for, the less you go to the shops the less you spend on impulse buys. But having said that as you shop you will spot the reduced goods so always keep an eye out for reduced or discontinued items that can be a lot cheaper, I popped into my local co-op yesterday and got 2 x 350g Braising Steak, 4 x Hunters Chicken portions, Pasta Bake for two, 1 x Mussels & 3 x Prawns all for £9.25, all that days date but looking good so it all got thrown in the freezer for another day (do watch as some shops sell really grey looking meat), if you buy reduced meats/fish depending on dates the items need to be eaten that day or frozen so.
If you have a freeze always try to keep a little space for that odd bargains.

If you can when cooking buy enough to make two dishes and freeze a meal for later. (Raw meat/food once defrosted can not be refrozen - but if you defrost and cook then the cooked meat/dish can be frozen).

Depending on how big eaters you are aim for 100 - 150g of meat each.

You could start to make your own bread as its cheaper than shop bought, but as it has no additives it only lasts a few days (if it lasts that long ).

Basic should include:

Tea/Coffee
Sugar
Bread
Butter
Milk
Eggs
Cheese
Fruit & Vegetables (don't forget potatoes)
Something for Sandwiches
Table Sauce (ketchup, brown sauce)
Canned Beans, Tomatoes, Tuna (good old staples)
Vinegar
Salt
Pepper
Something (protein) as the main for meals
Pasta
Rice

Clothes Wash
Dishes wash liquid
Cleaning products

Chris25

If the supermarket you're going to use has an online site, it might be worth having a look before you go to give you some idea of pricing & what's available.

Might be useful to consider things like - fuse wire, a spare lightbulb, matches & candles too.

All the best with the move.

davenport151

Good idea Chris25 - I would also check the type of bulb ie; screw or bayonet fitting, size and wattage.

I think I took the essentials on moving day (tea/coffee/milk/biscuits/snack) then shopped later on.
And I don't think anyone has mentioned loo roll yet! (or soap/handwash).

Celia

It's not clear whether you are moving far but if its to a new-ish area, always worth checking on-line to see what stores are local and what the opening times are - don't forget to include DIY as well as food stores. Then save a list to your phone so that you can stop at places when out and about but also if you suddenly discover you need something, you can make a reasonable choice of where to go rather than a local mini store that would be more expensive.

Good luck!

DigForVictory

Move with essentials - brew, loo & wash kits.
Open all your "welcome to your new home!" cards & presents Before You Shop.
Someone may already have given you a herb & spice collection, screwdriver set & a big slab of chocolate...

All the very best of luck with your first home!

neilwoods

IS it just food and groceries you are talking about or other items as well, as cleaning products and cutlery and so forth.

Best if you both sit down and discuss what you both like to eat and how much cooking you are actually going to do, so if you like to cook from scratch then lots of the basics essentials, but if not then no point in buying bulk items.

fionajbanana

You forgotten about:
. Electrical items - kettle, toaster, microwave
. Cooking utensils and pot 'n' pans
. Cutlery and crockery

Many of my friends and I when we moved out of our parents to our first own place, they gave us their current crockery set etc. The parents treated themselves to new things. It will keep you going until they fall apart a few years down the line or got money to afford new ones.

Don't get the cheapest electrical equipment as its rubbish! For example, the cheap £8 toaster I bought, I had to turn the toast over at the end of the cycle and do another cycle as it only toasted one side. Get what you can afford.

You can pick up Pyrex in charity shops.