Help to reduce shopping costs

suki1964

Your kebab fix is now solved

http://earner.hubpages.com/hub/The-Takeaway-Secret

It really is authentic. I make it now and then as we don't have takeaways near us

I echo what others have said about shopping in Aldi. I've changed to lidl and never spend more then £20 a week. a - there is less choice and b- prices are much better

I know you said you have a disability and often don't feel up to doing too much ( I know that feeling) can you not get your older children to help and do a day or morning of batch cooking for the week and freezing ?

Batch cooking works out cheaper Say if bolognaise is on the menu this week, cook enough for two weeks and freeze half however don't buy double the meat, just half again and then bulk it to double with veg and lentils. Same with any dish really, bulk out to make double the amount and save half for another day.

Kids do like to help in the kitchen. My grandson is seven and he loves to make pizza. He's getting very good at kneading now, I just take over to finish off and he's getting confident with knives. He's also very handy for measuring out and whisking. I also rope hubby in to peel veg when I'm cooking. It's his contribution to Sunday lunch

sharond101

Aeries wrote: »

-
Hi - he's a kebab man, we've tried doing our own but sometimes it ends up more expensive - we tried buying frozen donner meat and seek kebabs etc but by the time you've bought all the salad ans made your own naan or chapatti its expensive

I must admit there have been times when we've relied on takeaways a lot as I have several debilitating illnesses, I don't get out a lot - I started doing the food shopping online as I can never tell when I'm going to be well enough to go - I'm just attempting to use the "mysupermarket" website at the moment but its very slow and laggy

This can be bulk cooked and frozen. http://www.netmums.com/recipes/fakeaway-slow-cooker-doner-kebab

sharond101

I go to the Supermarket at mark down times and bulk cook with my finds. I use my slow cooker (if you have facebook look up slow cooked wonders for inspiration). I spend around £20 per week for a family of 3. It can be done. We eat really well and have meat or fish every night. Aldi or Lidl is my staples shops. I buy some value brands some own brands some big brands. I stock up when good offers appear. This website is popular too, http://fyf20quid.co.uk/

KxMx

Don't get into the habit of buying the same amount of the same stuff every week.

Comb your cupboards, fridge and freezer before you go alongside a meal plan, to see what you actually NEED, as opposed to usually buy.

beckybb50

Hello!

As you can see, I'm rarely compelled to write on the forums, your comments really touched me!
I'm sorry to hear about your health problems and your partners weight problems.
You sound as though you are rather fed up with food generally, which makes me really sad. It can be hard to stay motivated to cook and looking at the costs every month can make the resentment even worse. You sound really defeated, feeding a family is hard work, especially when you're not feeling well.
I know this forum and your post is about cost, but if I may suggest something more important than money - the health of you and your family.
Perhaps if the focus for you switches to health, you can regain your enthusiasm for home cooking and in doing so, save a lot of money.
Nothing is more expensive than filling our bodies with processed foods that it doesn't want. It leaves you craving more, eating more, buying more.
If I can give you an overview of the alternative I'm talking about:
I have followed a (mostly) paleo diet for the last year, I feel amazing! My health issues have disappeared and I spend less money on food than ever before. I eat vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, seeds, nuts and fruit. I eat like my great grandparents, making my own stock, using cheap cuts of meat and offal, eating lots of seasonal veggies and fruit as a treat. I buy direct from local farms, buy frozen and final reduction veg at tesco and buy in bulk online to save money while still eating well. I love cooking and make delicious meals from scratch weekly. I have learnt everything I know about food and cooking in the last couple of years, before that I ate nothing but cereal, McDonald's, ready meals and pasta with jars of tomato sauce! I couldn't even cook rice! I'm not talking about a diet or losing weight, I'm talking about an overhaul on your body, mind and attitude to food and cooking.
I would be so pleased if what I have said is the start of something wonderful for you, as it was for me.

I don't know what your health issues are so I am sorry if anything I say upsets or offends you, but I know you and your body deserve to be well.
I hope what I say comes across as nothing but love and with hope that you can improve your situation, whoever you are, stranger.

Jagraf

I have a gorilla of a husband (I mean he eats a lot) and a DD 16 who eats a lot, but is fairly choosy about her brands. And me.

Usual shopping including wine and beer was about £120 a week. 4 weeks ago I swapped to lidl. I now spend under £60. Seriously.

To start with I brand tasted on my daughter because that was my main hurdle. Whether she would take in non branded lunches to school. No problem whatsoever. She prefers most of the lidl brands.

I love going shopping now - I'm in and out in an hour, and I don't waste time or money on food I don't need. Occasionally I pop into somewhere else but its no big deal. I find it much less stressful. My dad used to say he suffered from product blindness in large supermarkets, and I definitely get what he means!

I cook more from scratch now but mainly in the slow cooker, so its actually quicker for me.

In a weird way I feel more positive when I go shopping - I'm savvy, saving money, and eating better.

I would like a new fridge freezer though if I'm going to do all this batch cooking :eek:

Ilona

Hi. I am agreeing with beckybb, it's not only about how cheaply you can buy your food, it's also about eating healthy and nutritious food which will nourish your body. A lot of health issues are brought about by a poor diet. If your husband does not lose weight in all probability he will die before his time. I don't know what your health issues are, but changes in your eating habits to a more healthy diet could well bring about positive health benefits. And getting your children to cut down their snacking will help reduce their visits to the dentist.

Takeaways, microwave ready meals, junk food such as chocolate, biscuits, cakes, sweets, fizzy drinks are all full of rubbish and are not real food.

I suggest loads of vegetables, reduced meat if you can get it down to two days a week, and batch cooking from scratch will benefit the whole family. It takes a bit of organizing and as you say, you have time. Draw up a menu plan and stick to it. Shop in the cheaper shops. Give it a try. Good luck
Ilona

rose28454

Try a group called Slow cooking for saddos on Facebook. Also my daughter moved in with her boyfriend a year ago and they always shopped in Tesco. They changed to Lidl and Morrisons about 2 months ago and cant believe how much less money they spend. Another tip is shop at end of the day for reduced items in most of the supermarket.

Big_Graeme

Try the Old Style MoneySaving board
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33

Years of experience in there and lots of people who have been through bad times so they don't judge.

Towser

Is it my imagination or is Lidl cheaper than Aldi now?