Where do you shop that has cut your bills?

[notnagging]

I have 5 ds' & I shop everywhere! I use mysupermarket to compare prices & offers to do a big shop twice a month then get bits & bobs from Morrisons. Im permanently in the reduced corner & I would like to try some online places for meat & veg boxes. At the moment I spend around £350 a month. How much do you spend for a large family & have you tried online meat suppliers?

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I find loyalty has been paying off recently. Sainsbury's isn't the cheapest retailer on the High Street but their quality is good and they are very good value for money for the fresh food and store-cupboard basics that make up most of my basket. Also by exploiting their Nectar scheme (Nectar credit card, linked retailers, Nectar canvassing etc) and using them 100% for groceries, I've managed to redeem £140 in credits in the last six months alone.

[Ambi]

Aldi & Lidl

[notnagging]

I agree about sainsburys but I definitely notice the price differance. I'm thinking of trying Costco if I can

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

Costco doesn't help IME. You have to pay to be a member, everything is in super-large packages which means a big start-up expense, they don't sell everything you need, and you can only pay in cash or debit card... so not even the luxury of a few weeks free credit.

I've had quite a lot of success by adjusting the type of meals we eat. Less expensive meat and fish... more cheap vegetables and pulses. Less (zero) processed/ready-made/convenience food... more base ingredients and make my own.

[Oblomov]

Agree. Costco is not your answer. I can't get out the door at Costco for less than £250. Dh and i joke about it. Which is why we limit our visits.

[Chopstheduck]

I do actually think costco helps, especially if you are a larger family. But then I think at £350 a month you are already doing quite well!

I have the executive membership with costco, which is £66 per year, but with the 2% cashback cheque at the end of the year it pretty much covers that. I prob spend about £250 a month in costco on food and do top up shops elsewhere. I go to Indian grocers for veg, spices, salad. I take friends shopping with me, and so I get 2% back on what they spend too

costco is expensive initially though, when you start buying in bulk, but once you get in the habit it isn't so bad. 5 x 9 packs of triple velvet loo roll is about £15 in costco. I paid £4 for ONE in tesco when we ran out last time, and that was on offer. Milk is around £1.55 for 6 pints. Bread is two loaves for £1.60 ish, huge tub of flora for £1..90 ish, 18 eggs, £2.75. Two large chickens for around £7. Huge bunch of bananas for £1.30

I buy most of my meat there and freeze it. the chicken is so much nicer than supermarkets.

[Chopstheduck]

ah but if you limit your visits, you will have to stock up all over again when you go the next time!


We go at least once a month, usually 2-3 times, and we are even bored of the ginourmous cakes now!

[notnagging]

I can't imagine I'll go 2-3 times a month! Was thinking once a month at most in Costco as I only do 2 big shops a month as it is. I've never found a shop that does everything I need. I really didnt like the chicken I bought in aldi the other day. Can't seem to find quality meat at a reasonable price. Was thinking of trying kentbox.

[notcitrus]

Milkandmore (ie Dairy Crest milkman) will deliver sacks of spuds and weekly fruit/veg sacks to your door - the veg aren't organic but are mainly UK grown and usually seasonal and very good quality.

I keep getting the £12 off coupons for new Sainsburys online accounts so keep setting up new accounts (nothing in the t+c says you can't) for deliveries of heavy/bulky stuff, and save money by never driving to the supermarket - can't overbuy if I have to carry my purchases home!