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?

Those of you choosing to use stuff that’s spreadable out of the fridge instead of ‘normal’ butter might be interested in getting one of these. I’ve linked a really basic one, but you can get much nicer artisan versions too.

I’ve NO idea why these haven’t caught on in the UK.

The basic premise is that butter is submerged in water, which keeps it cooler and covered, while ALWAYS being spreadable.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AISBUGUR-Ceramic-Silicone-Countertop-Porcelain/dp/B0B2LRWG9B/ref=asc_df_B0B2LRWG9B/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=606482704456&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13494949407072625467&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006717&hvtargid=pla-1876275336172&psc=1

@Crispynoodle - I hear you on Irish butter! It’s the only stuff I’ll eat.

@Tryingtokeepgoing , my Countrylife slightly salted spreadable is butter (50%), rapeseed oil (25%) , water, salt. NO ADDITIVES OR PRESERVATIVES. (Their capitals.).
IIRC Anchor spreadable, which I also buy, is roughly the same.

I have never ever seen or heard of those funky butter dishes! So cool.

Yes indeed - that;s kind of my point. They're only 50% butter, and blended with oil/water in a process that keeps them stable as an emulsion of fat (butter and oil) and water. Processed doesnt just mean addtives - it's what phyicslly happens to your food. As oil and water don't mix naturally it has to be processed somehow. I suspect the process of making spreadable butter is reasonably benign - some heat, agitation and maybe pressure. But it is more processed than butter!

@Stressedafff just to let you know WINIARY mayo is on Clubcard price @£1.60 in Tesco at the moment.

Omg thank you
I’m off to stock up! That bloody stuff I could eat it out of a jar

Any suggestions for ketchup? I swear my GC must be drinking it when I'm not looking and of course it's the holidays so they are here quite regularly. They like Heinz but I bought a bottle today and it was over £4. Seems like madness but maybe that's because I don't like ketchup.

Anyone know if Lidl's own brand is any good?

I doubt cheap sauces are any good. Where have you been buying it from? Try Homebargains.

I have just opened a huge tub of Lidls fat free Greek yoghurt (bought the fat free by accident) it is so good! Very creamy. I'm impressed and will definitely get it again. I also love Total Greek yoghurt.

I like the Aldi ketchup, massive bottle for less than £1.00. I dont but any branded sauces anymore. Waitrose ketchup is also really good if you have one near you.

@Stressedafff You are most welcome. I have been and stocked up myself this morning . I am like you with the stuff, love it! Enjoy 😊

And still less than £1.00!

@singlemum93
these from LIDL are good

Alpen and Yeo valley blueberry yogurt. I’ve just accepted I need to spend the extra.
I’m happy with the cheaper butters, and either Tesco or Lidl extra mature cheddar is a fine replacement for Cathedral City.

I bought it in Lidl. We don't have a home bargains in my town so I'd had to drive to the far side of a neighbouring town so probably not worth it unless I was going over there for something else. Thanks, I will have a look.

I have got a local Aldi, just a bit further than Lidl but I pass it quite often so I will have a try with that one. We don't have a Waitrose, it's even further away than Homebargains.

Must have a look for that, I’m currently paying £5.50 for Cantu cream. It lasts a couple of weeks, but I’d love to pay less, plus only Asda sells it unless I go online.

Lots cheaper in Boots! The only pink one I see is Lee Stafford, £5.99down from £8.99.

Instead of lurpak, just get a block of salted butter. It’s cheaper and better. Keep it in a butter dish not in the fridge and it always spreads.

ALL my Clinique stuff. Cleanser, day moisturiser, night moisturiser. I've tried Nivea, and other cheapie stuff. But it's destroyed/ing my skin. Plus one night moisturiser gave me effing blepharitis. What do I do? Can't afford Clinique anymore....... first world problem I know.

Well, it's more expensive per Kg and doesn't spread from the fridge, so neither cheaper nor better in my book. (To be fair I'm comparing like with like - Lurpack spreadable v Lurpack block, own brand spreadable v own brand block)

I've tried all the other brands, all the supermarket knock-offs, and Mitchum and Head & Shoulders are non-negotiable. Without them I'm a sweaty mess covered in a fine dusting of snow.

Have you tried Aveeno instead? Still not supercheap though.

For coffee, Lidl Gold is nice, and they have some other nice coffees as well.

Cornflakes. Kellogg's all the way.

Rice Krispies are fine to swap but no way cornflakes.