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Realistically can I feed 5 for £150pw?

285 replies

PinkPinkPinkBlue · 28/08/2025 11:54

Switching to Lidl/Aldi tomorrow (they are on same retail park) and would like to spend a maximum of £150 per week is this possible? Currently spending nearly double that at a major supermarket I no longer want to dip into savings each month to feed us. No alcohol but will need to include toiletries and cleaning supplies, any items I should give a miss and anything worth buying? We are a non fussy household but no fish/shellfish due to an allergy, I am happy to go into to both shops as they share a car park.

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 29/08/2025 12:03

LOVE egg and chips once a week (or so). Add some mushrooms and roasted toms, it's a very balanced meal. (Or baked beans). Or turn the eggs into omelette/ frittata.
Similarly I love a jacket potato with tuna or cheese or coleslaw with a big pile of salad too.
Completely easy, no mess, tasty, nutritious.

ScribblingPixie · 29/08/2025 12:07

Agree re egg and chips. And most weeks there's one meal that is just leftovers - last night I made leftover chicken - just scraps really - with green lentils and mushrooms in chicken stock plus fennel seeds, garlic and onion and it was really nice. Must have cost about £1.50.

XVGN · 29/08/2025 12:07

Yep, intertwined with recipes, I'll happily add Beans on Toast (with grated cheese or fried egg), Baked Potato, Basic Frittata, etc.

As others have said, the secret is to cut down the meat to only one or two meals a week.

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3teens2cats · 29/08/2025 12:12

As others have said to half your bill you are going to have to change your habits as well as your supermarket. How much do you waste? Are you meal planning and making the most of each item to reduce waste? Are you buying lots of prepared snacks? Are you looking at prices per kg to find best value for money? Are you fussy about brands?
We shop in aldi for the weekly shop and waitrose for a couple of top ups and extra bits. Spend £150 max in total for 3 adults.

Glowstickparty · 29/08/2025 12:29

I tried Aldi but also found fruit/veg didn’t last as well and best before dates were often short. I changed from Sainsbury’s to Tesco. I do click and collect as I can do it online and keep to my budget/meal plan. Having allergies definitely pushes up the price. I find Waitrose really expensive and only buy bread etc if I’m passing. I would say less meat will definitely help.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 29/08/2025 12:38

Lots of bean and lentil chili and in season veggie soups and brown rice

JayJayEl · 29/08/2025 13:40

PinkPinkPinkBlue · 28/08/2025 21:21

@ForZanyAquaViewer no not meat and meatballs with the spaghetti, making enough tomato sauce in one batch for both meals. Mince will be added to one batch for lasagna the other batch will be added to spaghetti for meatballs.

These meals sound delicious! Can I come and stay for a week? 😅

I double a portion of Bolognese by adding equal amounts of carrot and mushroom to the mince. Dice up really small and fry with the onions, or if I'm strapped for time I just blitz them in the blender for a couple of seconds. I'd also add peppers and celery if we liked them! I find It more flavourful and a better texture than adding lentils. It means that a bolognese with just mince and onions that would make 4 portions then makes 8 portions, only costs a few pennies/pounds, is even healthier, and (I think) tastes nicer!

Crikeyalmighty · 29/08/2025 14:54

I do stand by too what I mentioned earlier that the more nice ‘grab’ foods you have in, the more they will get eaten , with some people it could be virtually limitless - especially if it’s not them paying the bill ( looking at a lot of older children, teens and young adults and yes some husbands and partners who don’t do the shop - honestly OP if you like shopping at waitrose( and I do alongside M&S and a bit of Sainsbury’s for branded basics with nectar points) - there’s no reason you can’t almost halve that shop just by less choice of ‘grab’ like exotic fruit and a couple of more simple meals a week with less meat - you are setting up young adults not to be able to budget or think ‘simple’ . Get domestic stuff like loo roll , dishwasher tabs, washing tabs off Amazon too - great value.

Bjorkdidit · 29/08/2025 17:05

If you're able to get a card, and are determined to continue eating catering quantities of fruit, Costco might be worth a look as it might be cheaper than Waitrose.

Chewbecca · 29/08/2025 17:36

Oh and fish fingers. Where is the can't be bothered to cook fish fingers, chips n peas day? (Waitrose chunky fingers, bought whilst on offer, obvs).

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