Weekly shop: 3 children, a cat, 2 dogs

[Thedogshow]

I know there are some amazing people who can do their weekly shop for £40 with 8 children etc, but I’m often a bit disorganised, haven’t quite planned everything properly, unexpected things come up etc and our weekly shop has just become so expensive.
We don’t waste much, but often have to top up a £150-£160 shop once or twice a week so all in all spending around £200+ per week on food. Help! Mostly cook from scratch, occasionally have a ready meal, very rarely get takeaway or eat out. Drink approx 1 bottle of wine a week.
Dogs are medium sized mixed breeds, children are older kids/young teenagers. 2 boys eat a lot. Husband has active job and also eats a lot.
Any tips?! Quick and simple meal ideas? Vegetarian things that all might eat- I think we spend too much on meat. We eat a lot of fresh fruit & veg and I want to keep doing that. Don’t know where to begin.
Thank you!

Maybe they can do the food shop on £40 .. But washing powder, toilet rolls, shampoo etc all adds up.
Frozen veg is good, cheap, full of flavour.
Potatoes are cheap. Do a lot with a potato.
If you do to want to get the cheapest shop branded goods, go middle price.. Less expensive than named brands, just as lovely.. Except cornflakes IMO only kellogs will do

Yes potatoes is a good call- hardly do anything with potatoes. What do you do? I could definitely make baked potatoes once a week.
Maybe potato wedges? Mash and sausages. Agree it’s all the extras that add up.
I often but branded things that are on special offer but I think that that is probably a bit of a con & non branded are much cheaper.

Cereals and ketchup are the things that everyone in my house rejects when I get non branded

Seperate out your bill into human and animal. I don't know a lot about pet food, but I'm presuming that is a fixed cost.

Can you post a typical shopping list and meal plan?

Do you meal plan? I think that is always a big help to keeping costs down. I do one every week and always do something quick and easy on a day when I know I'll be busy. I do longer things like roasts on a weekend day.

Batch cooking could also help you if you have a big enough freezer. Then if you're pushed for time or can't be bothered, you can pull a meal out of the freezer.

I used to be terrible for top up shops but am better now. I usually only have to top up things like bread, milk and fruit. If the kids eat the snacks then that's it, they're gone until the next big shop.

How much food do you waste, gets thrown out?
You haven't said where you shop or posted an example receipt.

If cereal and ketchup have to be branded then take a look at Costco. Beg someone to take you round if you don't meet the criteria. Their Kellogg's cereals are 2x700g boxes for £4 which is better than Tesco's best offer price.

Can you get the pet food from Zooplus or somewhere in bulk (Costco again?) where the prices are cheaper. Sometimes Amazon subscription prices with a voucher.

Are you shopping in person or online? I tend to do Tesco online, and reorder (refill basket from a previous order) on a fortnightly basis, so meal planning takes care of itself week on/week off.