OS 'Conversion' chart.

tim_n

One of the things that gets me is that I walk around a supermarket and I see tasty things (mainly pre-prepared) and I think 'I can make it cheaper than this'. But when I work out the cost of a one off set of ingredients it can work out roughly the same - especially when adding your time!

Then it hit me, it's because I'm using the wrong scale - we go on about how much better OS food is compared to tesco value etc that some see it as a false economy.

We shouldn't be comparing the likes of Tesco, Asda etc against OS - we are using 'F instead of 'C!

We should be using OS vs Marks and Sparcs or at least 'finest' ranges. That's if you don't burn it etc. Otherwise you aren't comparing like to like.

I produced some biscuits a while back - there was nothing like them in tescos, but when I popped into Marks and Sparcs with a friend, they had something extremely similar, £1.50 for a pack of 5. I'd made about 30 for the same cost, so it's a much better idea of what you're comparing!

Hardup_Hester

That's a very good point Tim, I'll remember that
Hester

cheerfulness4

tim_n wrote: »

We shouldn't be comparing the likes of Tesco, Asda etc against OS .....

We should be using OS vs Marks and Sparcs or at least 'finest' ranges.

That is so true. My mum was saying that there was no comparison between the foods that I prepare for the family, all OS, and the ready meals that she has in the freezer. Much larger portions, too, for the money. That could explain why my knees are buckling under the extra weight I need to lose.

Plum_Pie

Tim, most OSers agreed with you when it was discussed a couple of months back. 'Finest food for Value prices' someone said. (Thriftlady, I think!)

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=425159&highlight=is+OS+really+cheaper

thriftlady_2

:rotfl: I was just going to weigh in with my two pennorth. Actually I think a homemade biscuit is even better than a 'finest'. These products are often as full of weird and wonderful ingredients as any value item. The only problem is I find I eat so much more hm stuff -I know just what you mean Cheerfulness :rolleyes:

Quasar

Quite so. At the end of the day, you can't put a price on quality and freshness, as these not only make food taste better, but make it far healthier too. And as we all know, health has no price.

The "value" foods in supermarkets are full of cheap and harmful fats, salt and sugar to give them some bite (and addiction), and nasty colourings. Factory produced food may be cheap, but it shouldn't even be considered when comparing prices with home prepared food from good quality ingredients.