The Shelvis drop a brand level diary

[Deleted User]

Official MoneySavingExpert.com Insert:

Martin's 'Downshift Challenge' concept which this is based on is explained in detail in the Cheap Supermarket Shopping guide...

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I have to try and do this as I want to shave £50 a month at least off my shopping bill – got to tighten belts as I would like to go part time at the end of the year to look after my munchkin.

HOWEVER I have tried before but I went straight from my usual brands to the value range and urgh some things are VILE!! Plus I notice if you drop a brand level in some things you up the sugar/salt/fat etc content so I am also trying to keep my family healthy. It doesn’t help that I am allergic to lots of things that come in contact with my skin and the cheap stuff is usually the worst! I shop at Mr T because I use clubcard plus (saving for a platinum replacement wedding ring from Goldsmiths!) so am probably mainly swapping to their brands.

Nonetheless I am really wanting to give this a good go. J I am not going to do it all at once though that would be crazy so I have set up my diary on here to try things a bit at a time. If anyone has any tips or hints or would even like to join me then feel free to the more the merrier.

1 – SWAPPED Dettol antibacterial spray - £1.78 FOR Tesco antibacterial spray – 63p. SAVING OF £1.15.
VERDICT – Seems to be exactly the same as far as I can see. LEVEL DROPPED!!!

2 – SWAPPED Ozkleen bath power spray - £3.68 FOR Tesco bathroom spray – 50p. SAVING OF £3.18
VERDICT – Doesn’t smell quite as nice but cleans well enough so worth it. LEVEL DROPPED!!!

3 – SWAPPED Johnsons baby softwash - £2.53 FOR Tesco babysoft cottonmilk wash - £1. SAVING OF £1.53
VERDICT – Smells nice and I am not allergic to it. Keeps skin as soft. LEVEL DROPPED!!!

4 – SWAPPED Mcvities Jaffa cakes – 80p FOR Tesco jaffa cakes – 52p. SAVING OF 28p
VERDICT – they tasted alright but they seemed to be a little drier and harder. Think the original are nicer unless I just got a bad batch

That’s last week done. This week I am trying Toothpaste and Washing powder. Will be back with my verdicts.


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sarahjw

This is interesting - but with the cleaning stuff I suppose you have to also evaluate whether the cheaper brands last as long as the more expensive ones. It is not neccesarily moneysaving if you have to buy two of the cheaper for every one you would have bought of the more expensive brand.

Queenieviolet

I've recently swapped Kellogs crunchy nut cornflakes for Tesco's own brand and there is no difference at all! Can't remember how much money this saves.

hollydays

If you input yourshopping list into "My Supermarket" it will automatically offer you a choice of cheaper and healthier items,so its worth doing this ocassionally even if you don't do the online shop.Also i always do a search with the word smartprice and or value depending on which supermarkets page i am on

[Deleted User]

sarahjw wrote: »

This is interesting - but with the cleaning stuff I suppose you have to also evaluate whether the cheaper brands last as long as the more expensive ones. It is not neccesarily moneysaving if you have to buy two of the cheaper for every one you would have bought of the more expensive brand.

I have been squirting the same amounts to keep it fair from the tests I have done so far but you are totally right. Last time I tried this I switched to cheapo washing up liquid but was a false ecomony because I needed to use much more to get the grease off things.

2girlsforme

Queenieviolet wrote: »

I've recently swapped Kellogs crunchy nut cornflakes for Tesco's own brand and there is no difference at all! Can't remember how much money this saves.

I've done this too, cant remember exactly how much but it is quite a bit cheaper - especially the amount that my girls go through! :rolleyes:

[Deleted User]

I have put a load of gym kit in the washer this morning and will change into it this afternoon when I go. It smells pretty nice but only time will tell if i am allergic.

As for the toothpaste i am still unsure. Will give it the full week though like I said I would.

hilstep2000

For cleaning, I've recently discovered STARDROPS. Dilute with one third water, one third stardrops, and one third white vinegar, it cleans everything! And it's only 75p for a litre bottle which lasts for ages.
There is a thread on the Old Style Board all about it.

shopndrop

shelvis wrote: »

I have been squirting the same amounts to keep it fair from the tests I have done so far but you are totally right. Last time I tried this I switched to cheapo washing up liquid but was a false ecomony because I needed to use much more to get the grease off things.

I am still using my same washing up liquid but now transfer it into a value pump spray bottle I bought in Wilkinsons for 19p a bit like the sort of thing used for liquid handwash and find using this I use much less liquid than if I was using it straight out of the bottle it comes in.

Skint_Catt

Starsrops cleans everything including your washing up and clothes (handwash really as it foams too much for the machine though you can). I use it for the bathroom, kitchen and anywhere in between. 1 bottle about 68p in our asda lasts me about two months (two bed semi).

You can also dilute washing up liquid 50/50 with white vinegar - it helps with the grease aswell as being cheaper.

[Deleted User]

Yes i did try stardrops for a while but i found when i used it as a spray it got on my chest and I didn't like it.

Today I bought some things to try next week. I am getting excited about trying new things and saving money - how sad is that!!