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3 days per month zero food spend

It's just a thought - but might encourage thrift, more careful buying and less waste of food.

I've heard it said that the country simply throws away astonishing amounts of leftovers and non-used food items/ingredients - and not just from restaurants. I know very well I've been guilty of this myself.

I've had the idea to select a set of days on the calendar each month - maybe 2/4 - in which I'll force myself to keep the purse firmly closed on any food buying. I suspect this could well be a good way of ensuring that I do plan better and think about exactly what I'm putting in the trolley on the other 27-odd days!
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Comments

  • kippers
    kippers Posts: 2,061 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Sounds exciting, how are you going to do this?
  • miserly_mum
    miserly_mum Posts: 1,065 Forumite
    Great idea but 3 days a month really isn't that much, less than 1 day a week.

    To make any great impact it would need to be at least twice that.
    How does a brown cow give white milk, when it only eats green grass?
  • kippers wrote: »
    Sounds exciting, how are you going to do this?

    Good question. I think it has to be a set of days - say, 13th/14th/15th - so as to encourage some real thinking both before and during as to 'food management.

    I don't think I would try it on a weekly basis i.e. 'every Tuesday', as it would be too easy to get through just the one day without achieving some savings effect.
  • lil_me
    lil_me Posts: 13,186 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    :confused: Most months I only shop on 4 days, so I don't think it'd work for me, good luck however :)

    Suppose waste wise I have reduced right down anyway, all the food waste we've had in November I think was one slice of bread (which the dog ate anyway so wasn't binned) a kiwi and pear that for some reason froze in the fridge drawer and a pint of milk that went off 4 days before it should have.
    One day I might be more organised...........:confused:
    GC: £200
    Slinkies target 2018 - another 70lb off (half way to what the NHS says) so far 25lb
  • Hi

    I normally only buy enough for 5-6 meals a week for the 3 of us. The other nights we eat leftovers, something on toast or egg and chips-from spuds already bought.

    PP
    xx
    To repeat what others have said, requires education, to challenge it,
    requires brains!
    FEB GC/DIESEL £200/4 WEEKS
  • Fruball
    Fruball Posts: 5,739 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I only shop about 6 times per month so it would make no difference to me either but I can see that it would be great for people who usually buy scrummy lunches out every day - when I worked I used to spend a fortune on lunches :D Very nice they were too ;)

    :D
  • thriftlady_2
    thriftlady_2 Posts: 9,128 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    Hi

    I normally only buy enough for 5-6 meals a week for the 3 of us. The other nights we eat leftovers, something on toast or egg and chips-from spuds already bought.

    PP
    xx
    Great idea, a good way to save money if you are a once a week shopper (like most of us I guess). I love food shopping, and although I don't buy expensive things I do constantly restock my cupboards. I could really do with only buying the essentials like milk for a few weeks until I really don't have any food left. I may try thisin the couple of weeks left before Christmas.
  • I've already entered the days on all of next year's calendar. Howsabout that for determination?!
  • JenniO
    JenniO Posts: 547 Forumite
    PENNY PINCHER - I simply loved your 'Something on Toast'!!!! ROFL :rotfl:
  • We do something similar - twice a week we empty the fridge/freezer of all leftovers and have a "mixed meal" so there could be a bit of everything. This way we feel better for not having to throw out leftovers........plus I get a rest from cooking!!!

    And to take it one step further....we sometimes get together with some close family and have "leftover parties" - everyone brings stuff from their fridges/freezers - just an excuse for a get together really!!! In fact we're doing this on Sunday evening this week!
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