"Eat Well For Less?" - thoughts?

mumto2monkeys_2

I also developed a sod-it attitude towards money during that time, hence owing money now. The social worker told me it is very common. You are facing the fact your child might die, you are seeing other children die around you, suddenly you are treating them all the time and wanting to do anything to make them happy. It is also incredibly painful at times - my daughter had some awful infections that nearly killed her in the first year and a bit. Being completely indulgent is one of the ways that you cope.

But it passes and then you need to pick yourselves up and realise that you still need to plan things and be sensible and that life still goes on. I think that's the stage they were getting to, even though she still had time to go on chemo yet.

lessonlearned

Thank you for posting your experiences, it might help some of the less sympathetic posters on here to get a better understanding of the struggle that the young couple in this weeks programme have had to deal with.

Tbh I have been astonished at the level of criticism levelled at this couple and indeed, the other families taking part in this series. I just don't understand why people have to be so judgemental.

Hey ho.

I am, however, sorry to hear that you daughter also has leukaemia. Having to see your child suffer so much must be so difficult for you. I hope she continues to Improve and stay well.

And yes I can well understand your "sod it" attitude to money. I was the same when my late husband was so ill.

My kindest regards to you, your family and of course your daughter.
I hope the future is a bright and happy one for you all.

Xx

mumto2monkeys_2

Thank you lesson. We are getting there xx

Towser

I have looked at the programmes and internet to work out how to reduce my bill too.

I am just lazy and have worked out just by switching supermarket from Tesco to Aldi I have saved £950 in a year (as I was already on my foodbill reducing journey). By doing this I have avoided all the pitfalls such as branding, BOGOF etc as you can't go wrong with Aldi as they have so little choice but to follow all the programme's rules. They are starting to add "Specially Selected" things so you still need to decide whether to downshift or not. So the discounters are also learning where they can make more money per item through value added measures. These programmes really show you how much we are fleeced through marketing.

I must meal plan and write a list more around the Super Six offers of meat, fruit & veg.

115K

It was funny that they thought the bread was different when it was unchanged.:D

Why do people have to be told to put leftovers into the freezer instead of binning it?

lessonlearned

115K wrote: »

It was funny that they thought the bread was different when it was unchanged.:D

Why do people have to be told to put leftovers into the freezer instead of binning it?

I think it's due to lack of knowledge and experience.

Consumers are so brainwashed with Use By and Best Before Dates and all manner of Health & Safety guidelines, food regulations etc that many people, especially those who are novices in the kitchen, are unsure so err on the side of caution.

My youngest son is typical of this so I have been teaching him how to store food safely in the fridge, how to use the freezer to best advantage etc, how to Understand labels and dates etc.

As I've said - we all have to learn.

Both my boys did "Food Technology" at school. Ha!!! They learned naff all about cooking, budgeting etc. I've had to teach them. My boys have been cooking since they were little so are confident, the elder one is very proficient and very adventurous. He's far better than me now.

I'm a real Aldi convert too. Love their continental meats, cheeses etc. And yes way cheaper than the usual culprits - Sainsbugs, Tescos, ASDA et Al.

catkins

115K wrote: »

It was funny that they thought the bread was different when it was unchanged.:D

Why do people have to be told to put leftovers into the freezer instead of binning it?

She did put stuff in the freezer and then after a couple of weeks took it out and binned it!


All that rubbish about broccoli not lasting a week so they have to throw it away and buy more! Brocolli may not last as long as some veg but it certainly last more than a week if bought fresh.


What annoys me is that I presume all families in the programme wanted or needed to save money. Do they need to be on a tv programme to learn how? They don't even necessarily need to switch brands they just need to (a) menu plan (b) make a shopping list (c) actual take notice of what they are throwing in the trolley.


I can't even imagine how it is possible to spend over £300 on food every week. If someone gave me that much money and said I had to spend it on food I may well manage to do so for a while but certainly not for any length of time. I do a big shop about every 4 to 6 weeks and have NEVER spent anywhere near £300 on that!

Goldiegirl

catkins wrote: »

What annoys me is that I presume all families in the programme wanted or needed to save money. Do they need to be on a tv programme to learn how? They don't even necessarily need to switch brands they just need to (a) menu plan (b) make a shopping list (c) actual take notice of what they are throwing in the trolley.

But nobody is born knowing those skills, they have to learn from somewhere. If they want to do it on a TV show then that's their choice.


If the show gives a few people (participants and viewers alike) a few ideas on how so make a few savings, then surely it can't be a bad thing?


As viewers we also have choices. There are lots of programmes on TV that I don't like, so I don't watch them.


If a person feels this show isn't aimed at them, then they don't need to watch it and get annoyed about it.

lessonlearned

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I can't stand soaps, so called talent shows, anything to do with Z list "celebs", mindless reality TV, so I never watch any of it. I don't waste my time watching them and then moan afterwards.

Life's too short to spend my hard won leisure time doing stuff that makes me cross.

I really don't get all this "righteous indignation" about the participants on this programme either. They all strike me as being ordinary decent folk. Ok so they have been foolish with their food spending but this doesn't make them bad people.

As far as we can tell they are not child molesters, rapists, murderers, thieves, embezzlers, drug dealers, pimps, human traffickers, bigamists..........

They are all in work so it's not even the tax payers money they have wasted, it's their own money.

Wasting their own money may be foolish but it's hardly a crime. And, more to the point, they have seen the error of their ways and are trying to make changes. Surely they are to be commended not castigated. Give these people a break.

If this programme really makes people so angry, well there are plenty of other channels to watch. There is plenty of good quality TV to keep me "informed, educated and entertained".......

Is it really worth getting into a lather over a TV programme;)

RightyTightyLeftyLoosey

I've watched a bit of two episodes. I was just gobsmacked by the food bills of >£300 PER WEEK!

I've clearly spent too much time on here...


Even my mum, who is a fully subscribed M & S/Waitrose shopper and doesn't scrimp, never reaches anywhere near this level and she has a freezer which is choc full of legs of lamb/steaks. I wouldn't reach £300 even at Christmas.

What I also noticed was that the parents were often assuming that the children 'wouldn't like' certain things, but the kids were hoovering up most meals quite happily.