Why is my food bill so big?

hieveryone

Hi all,

I need help with my food bills.

Before OH worked away, we would be approx £500 per month on food/household stuff.

Now that he's working away I was looking forward to spending less on food and being able to save some money.

He's been away for the majority of September and my 'house/food' bill was £350!! :eek: just for me!! :eek:

Where am I going wrong? We don't drink much, I try and buy meat/veg on offer, I eat minimally when I'm home alone, very occasionally buy ready meals.

As an example, today I went along to Asda to get some bits for tea tonight as OH is just home. Got tea for tonight (steak pie and veg) and some bits and pieces that were on offer - £28!! :eek:

I need help!

Barny1979

Could you maybe post a typical shopping list and prices maybe? Might help see what fat can be trimmed?

HappyMJ

I found that meal planning and shopping every 2 weeks helps hold the monthly spend right down. If you run out of something including the basics such as bread and milk within the 2 weeks then too bad it doesn't get replaced midway through....meal plan better for the following two weeks. The problem is you go to the shop for a loaf of bread and end up with as you say £28 worth of shopping which you didn't really need.

hieveryone

Thank you both, I will try to do an example list. It is difficult as some weeks it is just me, and some weeks there is me and OH.

I don't really like to do two weeks at once, as when it's just me I find things go off because I can't use them up quickly enough.

We don't eat extravagantly or excessively (I am always on a diet!) so just cannot see why I spend so much!

HappyMJ

hieveryone wrote: »

Thank you both, I will try to do an example list. It is difficult as some weeks it is just me, and some weeks there is me and OH.

I don't really like to do two weeks at once, as when it's just me I find things go off because I can't use them up quickly enough.

We don't eat extravagantly or excessively (I am always on a diet!) so just cannot see why I spend so much!

Do you have a freezer?

I found things were more likely to go off with a weekly shop as food would be replaced without the fridge being completely empty and others in the house would prefer to use the freshest looking food when selecting something to cook. The expiring but still edible food such as carrots would get ignored then binned.

Towards the end of the two weeks the fridge will be almost empty and that's when you raid the freezer using up remaining portions of food that you cooked earlier and you can also cook things that don't require fresh ingredients such as spaghetti and a jar of sauce possibly with some frozen vegetables.

There are many vegetables that can easily last two weeks. Bread can be frozen and removed the day before and it's as good as fresh. Milk you can buy something like Cravendale if standard milk doesn't last two weeks.

How much do you spend weekly and does it include non food items such as drinks and cleaning items? Any pet food?

hieveryone

HappyMJ wrote: »

Do you have a freezer?

I found things were more likely to go off with a weekly shop as food would be replaced without the fridge being completely empty and others in the house would prefer to use the freshest looking food when selecting something to cook. The expiring but still edible food such as carrots would get ignored then binned.

Towards the end of the two weeks the fridge will be almost empty and that's when you raid the freezer using up remaining portions of food that you cooked earlier and you can also cook things that don't require fresh ingredients such as spaghetti and a jar of sauce possibly with some frozen vegetables.

There are many vegetables that can easily last two weeks. Bread can be frozen and removed the day before and it's as good as fresh. Milk you can buy something like Cravendale if standard milk doesn't last two weeks.

How much do you spend weekly and does it include non food items such as drinks and cleaning items? Any pet food?

Yes, have a freezer.

My other big issue is time, or more specifically, lack of it.

I have a slow cooker and would love to use it more, but only really know how to make chilli and bolognaise. Which can get a bit sickening after a while! :rotfl:

HappyMJ

hieveryone wrote: »

Yes, have a freezer.

My other big issue is time, or more specifically, lack of it.

I have a slow cooker and would love to use it more, but only really know how to make chilli and bolognaise. Which can get a bit sickening after a while! :rotfl:

Shop less often and you'll have more time.

Do you tend to buy the same things each week? If so, buy online and get them delivered and the following week just select what you had last time and it'll only take a few minutes each week to do your shopping. Not money saving but it is time saving.

My favourite quick cook meal is a stir fry. Get the already diced meat out of freezer defrost in microwave, whilst defrosting chop vegetables, throw in wok toss everything around for a bit, add sauce, throw it on a plate and serve. 15-20 minutes and it's all done. Some precooked rice noodles can be added as well and heated through.

hieveryone

When I say I'm low on time, I am really low on time... I leave for work 7am and get home approx. 7pm, shattered every night.

I should make more of an effort at the weekend though to save some money.

What kind of meals can be stored in freezer?

I'm not a big fan of defrosting meat in the microwave, always seem to get it wrong and it ends up rubbery/funny tasting.

stephen77

Just post a list of what you bought last week.


At the moment I do not know if your list includes organic beef fillet or value beef mince.


Also if buying wine, the bill can crank up quickly.

shammyjack

hieveryone wrote: »

Hi all,

I need help with my food bills.

Before OH worked away, we would be approx £500 per month on food/household stuff.

Now that he's working away I was looking forward to spending less on food and being able to save some money.

He's been away for the majority of September and my 'house/food' bill was £350!! :eek: just for me!! :eek:

Where am I going wrong? We don't drink much, I try and buy meat/veg on offer, I eat minimally when I'm home alone, very occasionally buy ready meals.

As an example, today I went along to Asda to get some bits for tea tonight as OH is just home. Got tea for tonight (steak pie and veg) and some bits and pieces that were on offer - £28!! :eek:

I need help!

I live alone dine like a King and spend less than £150 a month and that includes a few bottles of wine and a few beers !

SailorSam

HappyMJ wrote: »

The problem is you go to the shop for a loaf of bread and end up with as you say £28 worth of shopping which you didn't really need.

When i was on the Cabs and working the Asda, women would often get in with an overflowing trolley and say ..... and i only went in for a loaf and some sugar.