COL - what is the one thing you haven't found a replacement for?

[TheMindfulMum]

I have made countless changes to our weekly shop to try and reduce our outgoings. I've always been quite a savvy shopper since having children and switched from branded to own brand for quite a few items to try and make our money go further. Since COL though other items have had to be substituted. Weetabix and cheddar cheese are now supermarket own brand and we've got used to this. There are a few things though that I just cannot find a good substitute for and adjust to...

Beef OXO cubes - I like being able to crumble it over joints of meat before roasting as well as mince meat for bolognese. I can't find anything that crumbles and tastes as good as OXO does.

Frosties. Need I say any more? Own brand doesn't taste as good. Most are soft and taste stale from the day you open the box.

What can't you find a good alternative for? Or what have you managed to find that's great and costs less?

Caffeine free Diet Coke.

Aveda shampoo and conditioner. I've absolutely trashed my hair over the years and this is all that makes it silky and well cared for, cannot find anything else that does the job 😩

lurpak. None of the equivalents are a patch on it, so we're still buying it!

Sellotape!

I am a bit Lurpak fan but do think Aldi and Lidl’s “norpak” is as good.

Also the more expensive bin bags. They don't have to be brand name but cheap bin bags are such a false economy

I agree - Norpak is good enough considering the huge saving!!

Yes! Absolute agree with you on this.

Taylors of Harrogate Lazy Sunday ground coffee.

I think Norpak has less butter in it than Lurpak? I don't often go to Asda but last time I bought their spreadable butter it had the same percentage of butter as Lurpak

I got some Aveda conditioner in B&M recently.

I don’t mind Norpak. Aldi Weetabix on the other hand, resembles cardboard. We don’t have it often, but if we do, it has to be proper Weetabix.
Taylors Italian roast coffee beans. Aldi seem to have more oil in. Not awful, but just not as good. I don’t drink huge amounts of coffee, but it has to be decent.

Pantene silicone free range has been the best (and most affordable) swap I've done for my hair.

I now use W5 cleaning products from Lidl - cheap as chips and great.
Lidl Formil washing liquid is very good.
Morrison's own brand of kitchen towels is also very good.

I haven't been able to compromise yet on cheaper toilet rolls (I like cushelle) or washing up liquid (I like fairy liquid) or bisto gravy (which has doubled in price).

Heinz baked beans. We have tried many others but they really aren't the same. I'm willing to compromise on most things but Heinz beans are where I draw the line.

Coke products. I love Coke Zero and own brand just doesn’t cut it.

agree with Frosties too. I’m still eating the cheap stuff though

Lurpak here too

@purpleros

Try Lidl danepak it's the same

@mrsm43s Lidl do an equivalent, have you tried that. I prefer their French roast myself

Nescafé gold blend
heinz beans

Country Life spreadable is lovely, I actually prefer it to lurpak now.

@9outof10cats

Lidl toilet rolls are good, I like the coconut scented ones (controversial I know)

Fortunately my nearest shop is lidl and I'm very lazy so that's where I shop

Thanks, I will give them a try.

Norpack spreadable is 64% butter.

Own brand cheerios are rubbish.
Got to be Yorkshire tea.