food budget question - please?

pavlovs_dog

right, stalking time. i'll post here about foodstuff and in your new diary about other stuff. expect to see a lot of me

lets take food one meal at a time.

BREAKFAST

i know that not everybody can face food early in the morning, but if you get a good meal inside you, you are supposed to be less likely to snack throughout the rest of the day. the good news is that its a very cheap meal to fill up on. porridge, toast and fruit are fab. if you are short on time, you can eat fruit on the go. i have even been known to eat toast on the go.


LUNCH

packed lunch can be easily done on the cheap. visit the supermarket late in the day and stock up on loaves of bread for the freezer. i imagine the 5 of you easily go through a loaf per day of packed lunches, so this is a simple way to slash £s of your shopping list.

sandwich fillers - although more time consuming, it would probably work out cheaper for you to buy a joint to cook and slice yourself if you like meat sarnies. eggs are very cheap and filling. tuna CAN be cheap if you shop smart (buy multipacks when on offer if you cant face own label). own brand cheese is also good. grate it, or use a cheese slice to stretch it out.

if your kids like crisps/sweets etc in their lunchbox switch to own brand or stock up on brand names at the £1 shop. fruit again is a good way to fill up, especially bananas.

on weekends, something on toast is a quick easy lunch to see you through until tea time.


TEA/SUPPER/DINNER

carbs are king to fill hungry bellies cheaply. veggies will also fill up plates and stomachs at a low cost. you've already been given fab advice about the benefits of batch cooking and slow cooking so i wont reiterate that. bread for mopping up is also a cheap way to fill up, and a drink with a meal will stop you confusing thirst for hunger.

dense puddings such as sponge and custard are cheap and easy to make (microwave sponge takes 20 mins from preparation to dishing up) and again will stop those bellies from growling.


with regards to SHOPPING,

1) shop from home and use up what you already have. most of us could probably slash the cost of a least one weeks worth of shopping by doing this.

2) meal plan (i'll come back to this) to cut costs and reduce impulse spending

3)shop late in the day and fill the freezer with reduced to clear bargains. buy good brands that you wouldnt normally be able to afford, which means you eat 'better' for less

4) shop at a cheaper supermarket. lidl and aldi can save you £sss

5) come down a brand. if you buy finest, buy own brand. if you buy own brand, try some value stuff.

6) take cash and pay cash, so you cant spend more than you have budgetted

pavlovs_dog

as for meal planning, if you are hopeless at it, then THIS is a great way to break yourself in gently