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?

@Cabbagey sorry but that description made me actually LOL

We don't buy much branded stuff at all. Some sauces or spreads but they usually last absolutely ages - Nando's/Heinz sauces, Nutella, Marmite. I buy some branded stuff for the kids sometimes like crisps (more the toddler style ones as less salt), cheese snacks like Babybell/Cheesestrings. Branded teas and coffee to be fair. Often buy branded bread just because our most local shop never has their own brand white in stock whenever we go. Buying the odd branded cereal is like a huge treat for us hah. And still our shopping bill has risen so much even though we haven't been able to make much alterations as we already bought the cheapest/own brand versions of most things before anyway. Depressing.

Cerave is the way to go. I was Clinique all the way until a year ago. Have saved a fortune.

Really? OK I will give it a go. Cerave it is!! Thanks.

@CriticalAlert it's great. I have sensitive skin and use the foaming facewash and the moisturiser in the blue and white pump. My skin has never looked so good.

Costco's own Kirkland branded hazelnut choc spread is amazing , I actually prefer it.

My skin is super sensitive too. What mascara do you use? I can't afford Lancome any more either!! 😭 Thanks for your help 🤠

Yes, I wasn’t comparing like with like. I was comparing Lurpak itself with any cheaper block - own brand or otherwise. It really doesn’t need the fridge (unless it’s 30 deg outside!). And it is just butter, instead of the oil that Lurpak contains to make it spreadable. I used to love Lurpak, but switched to block butter.

I tend up pick up whatever's on offer at a beauty outlet, currently using Mac so not that cheap. Must admit have tried a few cheap mascaras and can't get on with them.

https://www.blincinc.co.uk/products/mascara?variant=42919745487072

@CriticalAlert - I use tubing mascara by Blinc. It’s great for my sensitive eyes. Not sure how it compares to Lancôme.

I tried something last year that I’m sure gave me the mother of all styes… so I’m very careful.

M and S do a really nice version of lurpac I kind of prefer it.

@Cherrysoup this one https://www.boots.com/boots-curl-creme-250ml-10303282?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs_HeroCompare--Catch_All-_-UK_Smart_Shopping_Catch_All&gbraid=0AAAAADrIajXMcBvMKwXAkON-bJiQIeQaT&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk--GsojBgAMVUOvtCh2k9gGxEAQYASABEgJpZfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Blimey, that’s cheap! Thank you!

@Cherrysoup I use that curl creme. It is good. Although I think the formulae has changed a bit -it's slightly thinner in consistency than it used to be.