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?

I prefer Aldi Greek style yogurt to M&S. it’s much thicker and my favourite breakfast is berries with yogurt, honey and flaked almonds.

Still buying:
Weetabix
Yorkshire Tea
Hellmanns Mayo
Laughing Cow
Warburtons Crumpets
Branston Beans (altho I give the kids value own brand 😂)

Have tried non branded, but couldn't find any we liked!

We've swapped to aldi/lidl own brand on a lot tho such as ketchup, gravy granules, butter, crisps, most cereal.

I think Heinz have been terrible for years. Branston all the way I'm now an Aldi convert though for beans.

God no, it tastes nothing like it 🤢

Tesco's own brand mayo tastes the same as Hellman's to me. I always buy the original, not the light or extra light version.

Which one is this please? I need a recommendation. Even if it's. Brand I need !

I can't find a replacement for Ariel cold wash gel, it's fantastic stuff.

I use these and they’re absolutely fine. I wonder if it depends if you have hard or soft water? I only use my dishwasher every few days so stuff is properly dried on when it’s washed! I always use a full cycle, never the eco or short wash one.

@iwasafool I will try those.
Thanks for the tip 👍

Heinz Beans
Hellmans Mayo
Marmite

I've just bought the Tesco own bio gel and finding it pretty decent. Not the same smell but it's ok

@Coronationstation I have a water softner and run the dishwasher once or twice a day, always use the eco cycle. Now that you have said that, I wonder if the dishwasher is shit (it came with the house) as I used them for years in different homes (I move around a lot) and have never had this issue

Aldi dishwasher tablets, but the liquid ones with 3 different coloured sections, not the powder block ones. These are just as good as Fairy, Finish etc, but much cheaper.

For all the Lurpak lovers, here is the ingredient list for it from Tesco's apo vs. Aldi Norpak in my fridge 😉

@blackclouds this one

Maximum Protection Clean Scent Anti-perspirant Cream Stick 6 pack 96h protection deodorant for 3x stronger* sweat protection 45 ml [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F8IEOUA?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_HP0FZNC5MAFJ39XY8RVT www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F8IEOUA?ref<a class="break-all" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F8IEOUA?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_HP0FZNC5MAFJ39XY8RVT&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum--chat-4850610-col-what-is-the-one-thing-you-havent-found-a-replacement-for" rel="nofollow" target="blank">=cmmswrrapindppHP0FZNC5MAFJ39XY8RVT

Garlic Perianise... admittedly that is very niche.

Waitrose spreadable butter (fake Lurpak) is v good IMO and much cheaper.
Though I am in the real butter in a dish gang.

I wouldn’t bother finding a sub for OXO given the box lasts a year or so.

Many of you talk about weetabix, and I’ve always loved weetabix. For 30 years or so. But then a few years ago I tried Weetabix from Australia. Damn it’s so much nicer.

My social housing association.
It is a social enterprise and takes our rent and ploughs money back into the community for everyone who is struggling. Doesn't always work but it has saved my life. quite literally.

Coffee- however I have found Nespresso compatible pods on Amazon. So although I can't use instant, I have made a saving!

Napolina chopped tinned tomatoes

Warburtons crumpets
Hellmans mayonnaise
Fage Greek yoghurt
Allinsons fancy seeded loaf that DH loves

I've stopped buying branded washing powder, cleaning products, shampoo, posh tinned tomatoes, cravendale, cheddar, crisps, crackers, biscuits, chocolate, tea. Also all wine is supermarket own now.

Woolworths carrot loaf. Aldi don't sell carrot loaf, unfortunately!

Yes agree@problembottom

Walkers Crisps. No others compare at all 😔

We like heinz ketchup- however now either get the polish one from tesco, or the hellmqns ketchup was on offer and is as good.
Conversely, we also quite like the heinz mayonnaise - which was cheaper than hellmans!
Can't change azero ground coffee or.lurpak (only buy and stock up when on offer though). And has to be heinz salad cream ( but just me that uses it, so don't go through too much). And diet coke/coke zero. Own brand tastes rank! Again - only buy when on offer, and just drink less often.