somebody starting out Old Style? (had to share)

Uniscots97

Sorry I had to share this. I really shouldn't be laughing at this as the poor woman in question may just be starting out OS but I had to share.

The canteen where I work is quite dire now and very expensive. There are lots of sandwich shops and fast food places near the office which have seen a rise in trade from the people I work with. But after going to one of the kitchen areas to wash my mug (had HM soup and toast), I bumped into one of my colleagues making a sandwich with items she's brought in.

I spied:-

Marks and Spencer Olive spread (I think this is nearly two pounds)
Peckhams organic rolls
Marks and Spencer Organic thick cut ham (pack marked 3.99)
a tub of green olives


Is it just me that finds the cost of the above unbelievable! Ok, I know I should applaud her for making her own sandwiches but I felt like shaking her and saying "you buy the same ingredients for a fraction of the price at Aldi's and lidl's"! For what she spent for a few days I could have made my packed lunches for the month and still ate like royalty. I know we should be encouraging OS ways but 4 slices of ham for 3.99!

Sorry rant over. :rotfl:

Skint_Catt

:eek: Thats a lot. I'm afraid my Mum's a bit like that - especially Marks stuff as she thinks its superior quality Bless her - at least she's trying!

dronid

I think that you've just seen why a lot of people don't OS. They're used to pre-packaged stuff and believe the old adage "You get what you pay for". They see OS as more expensive and time consuming as well. And then they stop. When I see anyone in our kitchen I do suggest a few sites (including this one of course) and ideas. Often people take them up and get quite into it. They first have to be reassured that cheaper stuff is often OK and much cheaper.

Uniscots97

I'm afraid I was too gobsmacked to say anything dronid. I suppose OS has become second nature to me. In the bad old days I wouldn't have touched stripey Tesco Value, now I can't see what's wrong with it when it has less (usually) junk in it than the more expensive lines.

dronid

To be fair this is what I would expect from people watching the current Delia programme. We'll have a chunk of people hamstringing themselves trying to get precooked mince and mashed potato chunks. OK to say use pre blended spices but recipies should be that. We should be seeing shows go this is how to make x from scratch and this is how to make x from shortcuts. Mix and match what you want from that. I want alternatives, not inconvenience. Give us budgeting ways of doing it. Sorry I'm ranting but it actually stops people coping with cooking and living cheaply!

Austin_Allegro

It's perhaps also a fear that by making their own sandwiches they will appear 'cheap', so they get the best ingredients money can buy, thereby missing the point a bit.

One chap at work used to laugh at my 'ropey old butties' but after I let him try some he kept asking if he could have more!

recovering_spendaholic

One of my best friends is really skint at the moment but she STILL goes to Marks and Spencer to buy the stuff to make her lunch every day, much like unixgirl's colleague. She and her OH run a shop and they go out and BUY cups of coffee from the cafe for them and the others who work there about four times a day, rather than buy a kettle and make a drink in the shop. I have tried and tried to tell her but it is like :wall:. She also has loads of takeaways because she is too tired to cook at night - I offered to get her a slow cooker but she didn't want to know....

JailhouseBabe

I have to go into the canteen to get my coffee (always the first thing I do when I get to work). When I started making my own lunches for work, I got the feeling that the two ladies who worked there were put out when I didn't order lunch. I think they must run it as their own business so any profits are theirs.

I'm still bringing my own lunches in - but am I the only person who's been made to feel 'mean'? My boss always jokes about how tight I am because I won't visit restaurants or look for an expensive holiday; maybe if they paid me more ... :rolleyes:

kippers

I always take my lovely homemade soup and a homemade roll for lunch at work and i am so proud it is homemade and not a shop bought 'rubber' sandwich ....so i tell everyone!

EC12345

kippers wrote: »

I always take my lovely homemade soup and a homemade roll for lunch at work and i am so proud it is homemade and not a shop bought 'rubber' sandwich ....so i tell everyone!

Same here, I take homesoup soup and a homemade roll as often as I can. Like you, I am so proud that's homemade - most people in fact are quite jealous as it smells and tastes lovely.

:A

Andy_Hamilton

You have to also consider how much it would cost for the same sort of sandwich in places like Subway or local sandwich shops. If you like the finer things in life that's ok if you can afford them and don't mind spending the money.

Before my mortgage kicked in I had no cares with my money but now it's HM bread and some cheap fillings but I still won't eat rubbish.

Why would someone take stuff to make sandwiches when you can make the at home without any hassle?