What things can't you compromise on?

Guapa1

All my seasonings have to be Schwartz. I've tried the cheaper ones and they aren't the same.
Pesto Sauce Sacla
Butter- Country life.

lil_me

julie777 water down the shampoo usually works a treat for 'overusers' don't tell him of course, can still put it watered down into a pump bottle which may make it go even further.

Bambywamby

Free range eggs, I would rather go without than support battery & caged chickens.

marybishop

Bambywamby wrote: »

Free range eggs, I would rather go without than support battery & caged chickens.

Totally agree!

Tiger_greeneyes

Bambywamby wrote: »

Free range eggs, I would rather go without than support battery & caged chickens.

Me too, 100%

sillyvixen

Bambywamby wrote: »

Free range eggs, I would rather go without than support battery & caged chickens.

i only use eggs in cakes - but only use free range

astralbee

I have two recommendations on supermarket brand products that up until recently I would not have comprimised on:

1. Asda "Zero Sugar Zero Aspartame" Cola

Most off-brand cola tastes vile. This is especially true of Lidl's "freeway" premium cola" which I find leaves a metallic aftertaste. YUK! Then I discovered Asda "Zero" Cola, which is on sale alongside their regular full-sugar cola and 'diet' equivalent. It seems to be a response to the relatively new 'Coke Z' product, which is rather like Pepsi Max in that it is sugar-free but tastes closer to "the real thing" than the classic diet versions which have been around since the 1980's. Try this Asda product - I think it is the best Cola on the market, especially as a mixer!

2. Asda "Essential Care" 24Hr bodyspray deodorant
Until recently I only bought Linx 24hr deodorant. I tried cheaper products but they all seemed false economy. IMHO, anti-persperants are nasty things that leave a powdery residue all over your clothes (and cause cancer, apparently!?); meanwhile the cheap deodorants seem ok going on, but then give out after a couple of hours and you end up stinking... unless it's just me being incredibly manly(!)
But this product I tried on a chance - works really well! It seems to last as long as the other '24hr' product it imitates, and the range of scents are decent too.

I realise these are two Asda products - I do not work for them, honest!!

One thing I would love a recommendation on is a decent razor!!! I have a really strong beard (again - manly, manly me!) coupled with sensitive skin (ok, a wee bit girly) and if I use a cheap razor I cut myself to ribbons. I'm ok with Mach3 but they are so expensive!! I recently tried the homebrand razor from Aldi which was a fraction of the cost even with loads of spare blades, but it turns out to be a tool for performing skin-grafts (surely some packing error). Any suggestions to replace the mach3?

Darrell
:rotfl:

astralbee

Guapa1 wrote: »

All my seasonings have to be Schwartz. I've tried the cheaper ones and they aren't the same.
Pesto Sauce Sacla
Butter- Country life.

I find supermarket brand seasonings to be just as good - Morrisons and Asda at least. Asda black pepper that comes in a grinder is really good.

You're right about butter, though. I tried one of the absolute cheapest butters (I think it was 'tesco value') and it tasted like baked beans. It ruined my wifes baking. Never tried the 'inbetween' brands though.

Darrell
:rotfl:

churchmouse_3

I always use free range eggs
Good quality locally produced meat, just use a bit less
Make my own bread and cakes, i can now taste the chemicals in bought ones......
Buy the nice squash when its BOGOF
We seem to spend very little on groceries but i eke out a meal for 2 days or more and try to use up whats in the fridge in soups etc.
I feel processed food is a false economy so never buy any.
Keep my hair and OH's short so dont need much shampoo and again only buy BOGOF

astralbee

iamstacie wrote: »

In an effort to bring my shopping bill down I've made a lot of compromises on things I'd usually buy such as milk, I've bought 4 cartons of UHT which means I'm not having to go to the shop so often whihc means I'm not buying all the 'extras' I'd usually pick up, and because we only use it in tea & coffee we've not noticed a substantial difference.

I find UHT milk to be a tool of the devil, but if you're ok with the taste of it then you might have already found your best option.

I buy Cravendale milk, because it is about the same price in the supermarkets as regular milk, tastes better and lasts longer. Not to sound like an advertisment, but here's how Cravendale works: You know how there is both good and bad bacteria in milk products, and that pasteurising takes out all the bad? Well Cravendale say "no bacteria!" and so they take out more than pasteurising alone. It isnt "long-life" but last about twice as long as regular milk and tastes fresh the whole time. You never get that "on the turn" smell. I find I can buy twice as much without it going off before I can use it, and Asda often have a "2 for x" offer on it.

Oh, and it's great in coffee.

Hope this helps!

Darrell
:rotfl: