It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

QueenJess

EssexHebridean said:

I buy the standard cheapest available for general use in cooking etc - I do like the jumbo ones for porridge though! pretty sure I have a box of Jordans on the go currently which were on some form of decent special offer last time I needed them! That's quite the price increase for the rip-off ones though - it wasn't that long ago I last bought! 

The Jordans ones were on offer in Waitrose at a brilliant price before xmas as I got about 6 of them.  Still working through them and then will go back to the Aldi organic rip off brand.

euronorris

Plodding on here, trying to eek out the pennies.

If you have the time (and the inclination), it's worth entering free competitions. Especially local ones (better chances of winning). I won two free tickets to see Spirit of the Dance at our local theatre for this Friday, so I am taking DD with me (and will take our snacks with us). Only cost will be parking (and small amount of petrol). So a good night out to be had, for a fraction of the usual cost (£32 a ticket!)

elsien

I used to enter competitions but haven't done so for a couple of years now.
Having said that I have just managed to bag a family national trust ticket for one visit from a local newspaper. Always worth keeping an eye out. 

Longwalker

I drink Diet Pepsi / Diet Coke and up until recently was able to get crates of 24 cans for between 5 and 6 quid. Since November they have slowly increased in price and are now £10

However not working, I dont need cans and Ive reverted back to Lidls Pepsi max knock off. - Freeway Max. 55p for 2 litres and its as close to the real thing as you can get. The cans arent so nice for some reason. I pick up a 6 pack for £3.30 and it lasts around 10 days saving me a fortune

Mum was telling me Heinz Baked Beans are over a £1 a can now? !!  I told her not to be buying them as the Lidl Newgate ones are excellent. I prefer Batts tomato sauce and the Lidls Mayo ( cant mind what label its under.) Batts brown sauce is perfectly good - even more so now that HP is £4 !!

Home bargain part baked rolls are really good for 59p for four - excellent with their £3.99 bacon (1kg ) 

I cant change soap powder. Ive tried in the past and Ive tried again, makes my intimate areas sore. Im still using the cheaper stuff for outerwear, but undies are having to washed in Persil. Fairy - no point in downgrading, its so good , use so little. I also have to use Head and Shoulders, thats a bit of a price hike - used to be 3 bottles for £7 now 3 for £10 but I have to suck that one up.

However every cleaning product bought is own label or home bargains. Im liking elbow grease and the pink stuff - usually no more then £1 a bottle. Dishwasher tablets , we are back to basic and cutting in half. We live in a soft water area and the salt in the posher ones are ruining my cutlery and glasses

I had 6 glasses come out of the machine cloudy this week, took me over an hour to get it off, but I wasnt rushing out to get new glasses ( time rich, penny poor ) 

One thing I wont be skimping on again, lidl stock pots. Tasteless. But now I know I will just add to them ( Ive enough herbs and spices to open a store )  Rather a wishy washy beef casserole last night.

Im pressure cooking as much as possible to keep the fuel costs down. The heating oil seems to evaporate in this weather, so far this year £1100 has been spent on that The electric bill in December was £400) . Thankfully we are seeing price decreases on diesel , not much but its going down slowly

slm6002

Another one here who agrees re the freeways coke.  I changed over many years ago from real branded coke.  I tried all of the supermarket cheaper versions and this is by far the best and is a great price

euronorris

I've switched from Dr Pepper to Professor Peppy (Aldi). It does not taste the same, BUT, I do enjoy the flavour. 49p for a 2 litre bottle.

Farmfoods have got another heinz offer on. 4 x 6packs of chicken soup, tomato soup, beans and low salt beans for £18. Works out 75p a tin for those with a heinz preference. I'll be getting them on the weekend. I've tried own brand tomato soup and it was fine, but the chicken soup was not. The chicken bits were crunchy (??). Bleurgh.

I'm looking forward to boot fair season starting again. I did try a big indoor one recently, with MIL, but found it was less boot fair and more 'market stall'. They were all re-sellers. Which is fine if that's what you are looking for, but we weren't.

elsien

I requested some sweet potato and squash from Olio, and got two bags instead of the one I’ve asked for. Also had some rather tired apples in
So I’ve made a vat of sweet potato, squash and apple soup, which with a bit of allspice is very nice but  I’ve got enough to feed the 5000. So if anyone is passing…..

Katiehound

Longwalker said:

 

I had 6 glasses come out of the machine cloudy this week, took me over an hour to get it off, but I wasnt rushing out to get new glasses ( time rich, penny poor ) 

 

My whole load was covered in salt- machine still not mended or replaced (whichever)... soaked it all in a bucket of hot water with white vinegar. came out like..... they had all started!!

Dishwasher tablets- Wilko have/had an offer on theirs: £5 for 80. I used their basic ones in the past and they were fine, think they were rebarnding so got a few boxes at a silly price.

Longwalker

Katiehound said:

Longwalker said:

 

I had 6 glasses come out of the machine cloudy this week, took me over an hour to get it off, but I wasnt rushing out to get new glasses ( time rich, penny poor ) 

 

My whole load was covered in salt- machine still not mended or replaced (whichever)... soaked it all in a bucket of hot water with white vinegar. came out like..... they had all started!!

Dishwasher tablets- Wilko have/had an offer on theirs: £5 for 80. I used their basic ones in the past and they were fine, think they were rebarnding so got a few boxes at a silly price.

Ok am I being dense? I cant work out if they came out clean or cloudy? lol

Florenceem

I took some bags for life into the community shop today - spent £1.40 - would have cost £14.20 at shop prices. I got 3 items which are new to us so will be interesting.