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?

Lidl's version of the aero mint chocolate bar is better than the original... 🙏

I've interspersed the branded Coke products with a couple of non-cola fizzy drinks and that helps stretch out the supply until Coke is on sale again somewhere. Home bargains often have big packs of cream soda or ginger beer.

Just bought one today to try actually!

For us the remaining branded bits are:

DH’s coffee (bulk from Amazon)
My Pukha teas (bulk from Amazon)
marmite
Fairy washing up liquid

Also heavy duty are good.

@Stressedafff . I was a Hellman's girl but I have found the Polish WINIARY Mayonnaise is very nice. Most of the major supermarkets stock it. Although may be in World food aisle. Might be worth giving it a try. Usually about £2.

Have you tried Goldenfry beef gravy? £1.10 in Tesco or Home Bargains. IMO it’s much, much nicer than Bisto, (which I find has a real chemically aftertaste), especially if you use some of the meat juices too.

I can’t change from HP sauce, Hellmann’s mayo or, currently Anchor spreadable, although I’ve taken on board a PP’s comment about a butter dish - might look in TK Maxx for one!

I’ve swapped Walkers Salt and Vinegar crisps for the wonderfully strong Golden Wonder and I’ve gone to Fairy washing up liquid/Elbow Grease cleaners (Home Bargains again for both) instead of the totally useless Method.

Whats the point in replacing oxo cubes?? They got £1.80 for loads of them. How often do you buy then? They cost me about £8 a year.

Asda own brand, Shades(?), version is pretty good.

Nescafe gold blend coffee
Yeo Valley natural yoghurt
Bertolli olive spread
Warburton crumpets

Sorry, that was in response to @Wednesday52

They're goooooood 😁

McVities digestive biscuits, although the M&S ones come close.

Boursin

HP fruity sauce, but only because no one does an alternative!

bisto gravy granuals, because it’s the only one I can make without lumps.

grunttheterrible · Today 17:50
Sellotape!
Absolutely agree

Fairy Liquid.
It’s now the only branded item I buy.

I think Aldi Frosties equivalent are very good.

Heinz mayonnaise is the only Mayo I can stand. Everything else has a funny taste to it, not a patch on Heinz.

Fish fingers are the only thing we have that’s still branded. Can’t stand cheap one, there’s nothing in them! Everything else has been swapped to supermarket brands. Lidl version of Pringles have been my best find!

Yorkshire teabags. Others are ok, but nothing as good.

Can deal with most own brand stuff, but coffee is my weak point. Couldn't stomach paying so much for Lavazza ground coffee from Tesco so moved to Amazon Happy Belly espresso which has been a revelation! Works out same price as Lidl coffee but same quality as fancy brands

Heinz mayo is good - worth trying if on offer (and hellmans isn’t)

Twinings Earl Grey, nothing else tastes remotely the same!

Total greek yogurt - haven’t found a sub that’s anywhere near as nice 😞