3 days per month zero food spend

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Jolanta_Nowak wrote: »

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!

good idea...... as it does get in on track ...and makes you look at what you have in.. as lets face how many times have we looked in the cupboard and think.. i havent got anything for tea.. so we nip to the shop and buy stuff, and in reality..... there is loads in the cupboards... but we just cant be bothered to think of what we can do with what we've got ( well i know i have ...lol.....) so i have gone shopping for the sake of it..


as i say a good way to get you on track and get you thinking more about shopping and food etc.....

Vampgirl

We only go shopping once a week (or twice if we've forgotten something essential *lol*) so not sure this would work for us. I suppose if we worked in an office and bought lunch every day it'd be good idea though. We hardly waste any food....it just feels wrong to me. If there are any leftovers then they either go in the fridge to be used in the next day or two or in the freezer - we have a drawer in the freezer full of leftover meat that eventually get used whenever I can think of something creative.

What I find really useful for meal planning and reducing wastage is to keep a spreadsheet of what we have in the freezer (also cuts electricity bills coz you don't have to stand there with the door open trying to find things!). Its really simple: just 4 columns one for each drawer and a rough description of each item - takes a little while to set up but really quick to keep to up to date and it means you can really make use of what you already have in there.

belfastgirl23

My food bills would be huge if I was in shops 27 days in the month I do a big online shop to reduce temptation and then try to only do one top up shop per week. Very occasionally I'll fancy fresh bread (ie not frozen) but that would be maybe a couple of times a month. I take my hat off to anyone who can be in shops regularly and not end up spending more

I'm also trying the DFW idea of having NSDs (no spend days) which I find really useful. I'm aiming to have about 3 a week or so. Does make me think twice about that cup of tea or bun I was going to buy - better for the waistline too!