Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

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enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Would it be cheaper to buy it by the large bottle rather than cans so get maybe 2 or 3 bottles a week? That would cost less than £8. Restrict maybe to 2 glasses a day.

I've tried that myself a couple of times when the bottles were on a really cheap offer but found it went flat before the bottle was half finished even if I screwed the cap on as soon as I'd poured it:(. I don't drink it very often though, a bottle would last me well over a week. Maybe it wouldn't have gone flat by the time HH was near the end of a bottle.

jwil

I keep an eye on amazon for coke, you can sometimes get decent buys on there for it. I buy the full sugar stuff and have one can a day.

It's also worth checking on my supermarket as the offers vary by supermarket at different times. Asda often has the best offers if you have one nearby.

I don't buy the larger bottles either, it goes flat too quickly.

HairyHandofDartmoor

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

Would it be cheaper to buy it by the large bottle rather than cans so get maybe 2 or 3 bottles a week? That would cost less than £8. Restrict maybe to 2 glasses a day.

carbootcrazy wrote: »

I've tried that myself a couple of times when the bottles were on a really cheap offer but found it went flat before the bottle was half finished even if I screwed the cap on as soon as I'd poured it:(. I don't drink it very often though, a bottle would last me well over a week. Maybe it wouldn't have gone flat by the time HH was near the end of a bottle.

jwil wrote: »

I keep an eye on amazon for coke, you can sometimes get decent buys on there for it. I buy the full sugar stuff and have one can a day.

It's also worth checking on my supermarket as the offers vary by supermarket at different times. Asda often has the best offers if you have one nearby.

I don't buy the larger bottles either, it goes flat too quickly.

The bottles do go flat quickly unfortunately, which is a shame as they are much cheaper. I'll keep an eye on Amazon. Asda isn't very near to me unfortunately. I think I could probably (hopefully) cut down to two cans a day if I really try.

elizabethhull

I remember after DD1 had left home, I thought we could treat ourselves and upgrade to the regular mince instead of the cheapo stuff - felt like a big step up !! Then, along came Aldi, very close by, and I couldn't believe how much I saved, and how much I COULD HAVE saved. I've practically abandoned Sainsburys, except for special occasions.

But we have friends who I'm sure think I'm very cheapskate about food for the family - you know, the sort who buy fresh chopped chicken for their cats instead of cat food by the gross of tins !! I've never forgotten an instance of how people view food provision differently: their daughter was invited to a friend for play and tea. My friend said with a touch of horror in her voice, that they'd had chicken nuggets and chips for tea. I couldn't believe it: her daughter had had entertainment, been fed satisfactorily, looked after and returned safely and she had this sort of distaste for the type of food provided. I was struck speechless, when you can imagine what I wanted to say.
I've been to houses where to feed a group of our children for lunch, a large pack of frozen chips and some basic ketchup was offered - it's food, for heaven's sake ! Another house tried to barbecue with a still flourishing flame, and all the children manfully crunched their way through the charcoal without a murmur - what would my friend have thought of that ?

beanielou

Would it be worth doing a £1 asda delivery online for midweek if the coke is on offer?

beanielou

elizabethhull wrote: »

I remember after DD1 had left home, I thought we could treat ourselves and upgrade to the regular mince instead of the cheapo stuff - felt like a big step up !! Then, along came Aldi, very close by, and I couldn't believe how much I saved, and how much I COULD HAVE saved. I've practically abandoned Sainsburys, except for special occasions.

But we have friends who I'm sure think I'm very cheapskate about food for the family - you know, the sort who buy fresh chopped chicken for their cats instead of cat food by the gross of tins !! I've never forgotten an instance of how people view food provision differently: their daughter was invited to a friend for play and tea. My friend said with a touch of horror in her voice, that they'd had chicken nuggets and chips for tea. I couldn't believe it: her daughter had had entertainment, been fed satisfactorily, looked after and returned safely and she had this sort of distaste for the type of food provided. I was struck speechless, when you can imagine what I wanted to say.
I've been to houses where to feed a group of our children for lunch, a large pack of frozen chips and some basic ketchup was offered - it's food, for heaven's sake ! Another house tried to barbecue with a still flourishing flame, and all the children manfully crunched their way through the charcoal without a murmur - what would my friend have thought of that ?

I dread to think!:rotfl::rotfl:

HairyHandofDartmoor

elizabethhull wrote: »

I remember after DD1 had left home, I thought we could treat ourselves and upgrade to the regular mince instead of the cheapo stuff - felt like a big step up !! Then, along came Aldi, very close by, and I couldn't believe how much I saved, and how much I COULD HAVE saved. I've practically abandoned Sainsburys, except for special occasions.

But we have friends who I'm sure think I'm very cheapskate about food for the family - you know, the sort who buy fresh chopped chicken for their cats instead of cat food by the gross of tins !! I've never forgotten an instance of how people view food provision differently: their daughter was invited to a friend for play and tea. My friend said with a touch of horror in her voice, that they'd had chicken nuggets and chips for tea. I couldn't believe it: her daughter had had entertainment, been fed satisfactorily, looked after and returned safely and she had this sort of distaste for the type of food provided. I was struck speechless, when you can imagine what I wanted to say.
I've been to houses where to feed a group of our children for lunch, a large pack of frozen chips and some basic ketchup was offered - it's food, for heaven's sake ! Another house tried to barbecue with a still flourishing flame, and all the children manfully crunched their way through the charcoal without a murmur - what would my friend have thought of that ?

There is a lot of food snobbery about Elizabeth. People on low incomes do learn to be less judgemental about food choices I guess.

HairyHandofDartmoor

beanielou wrote: »

Would it be worth doing a £1 asda delivery online for midweek if the coke is on offer?

I never like online food shopping Beanie as they tend to send things that are about to go off. Also DH gets involved and then the bill goes up :eek:.

I think the solution has to be that I be more self disciplined and drink less coke .

redofromstart

I ration myself for things like cans by only keeping one in the fridge. I'd rather not bother than drink warm coke so it works quite well.

You've mentioned before that you have an Aldi locally, my boys will drink their 42p cola, or the Lidl Freeway one. They say it's the closest to the right taste. They refuse to drink any other own brand one.

Mineral water, I buy Aldi sparkling water, 4 x 2l is 99p so 8 litres. I keep a bottle in the fridge and have it with a slice of lemon. If your DS wants a more expensive brand than he should buy it himself frankly. Make them buy their own treat foods, and you provide basic meals?

It's hard getting a balance between wanting to be generous and leaving yourself short. I imagine they would hate the idea that you went without so that they got the luxury stuff.

beanielou

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I never like online food shopping Beanie as they tend to send things that are about to go off. Also DH gets involved and then the bill goes up :eek:.

I think the solution has to be that I be more self disciplined and drink less coke .

I get that but I meant just for the coke.