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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the cost of food is rising significantly?

206 replies

NotWithABang · 27/02/2018 13:58

Or is it just me? The last few weeks/months when I've been food shopping, I've noticed the cost appears to be going up and up.
I shop mostly in Lidl and Aldi too, so it's not as though I'm shopping in M&S or Waitrose (where I would expect my shop to be costly). It cost me nearly £1 for a pack of six small, unbranded fromage frais. I spent nearly £40 for three of us (one of whom is 3) and it won't last us more than probably the weekend, that was with only buying one pack of meat. No nappies or cleaning products included in that, nothing from the 'magical middle aisles'. All just basic food, some fruit and veg for meals and lunches this week. I used to be able to get away with spending £25 on the top up shop a week/every 10 days, after doing one big monthly shop for about £70. Now it's more like £100 for the monthly shop, and about £40 a week topping up.

OP posts:
FlibbertyGiblets · 27/02/2018 14:07

The price of butter at the moment is Oh. Em. Gee.

YANBU.

SluttyButty · 27/02/2018 14:09

What I would have spent £40 a year ago is now £60+.so no yanbu.

NurseryFightClub · 27/02/2018 14:13

Yanbu, aldi seems to have jumped significantly.

jimijack · 27/02/2018 14:14

Agree, I'm having to look at ways of reducing my bill in other ways.

I spend £45-£55 a week for 4 of us. I meal plan, I am strict with my shopping list but have been picking up extra fruit for lunch boxes & snacks and really notice the additional cost of this.

I still bloody love aldi and would never go back to tesco or asda now. I feel that the extra is justified and don't mind in aldi, I feel totally ripped off at the tills at tesco/asda.

doesthislookoddtoyou · 27/02/2018 14:15

You've been used to very cheap food prices for too long. What you are paying now is still cheap compared to everywhere else.

strawberrysparkle · 27/02/2018 14:15

I went to Asda the other day and spent £100 on what I normally buy and that would have been £70 a while ago. It's actually very scary.

SweetheartNeckline · 27/02/2018 14:18

Our food bills have definitely risen and there is also less price differential between Aldi and Asda / Tesco now. We have chosen a couple of more expensive options as compared to last year (nicer quality coffee, meat and milk from the milkman) which I appreciate we are fortunate to be able to do.

On the one hand it is a positive thing that prices are going up - food has been far too cheap for far too long. However the money isn't going to the producers in many cases, it's going to the supermarket and to cover the exchange rate fall. Also with higher cost of living overall lots of people can't afford to spend more on food.

MollyWantsACracker · 27/02/2018 14:19

The same thought struck me on Sunday. I did have one or two special items (albeit not very expensive ones) in my basket. But I thought, in the past I'd have 2 baskets full for that amount.

ReelingLush18 · 27/02/2018 14:33

I agree OP.

Did a shop in Lidl at the weekend. The only 'expensive' things in the basket were a salmon en croute (@£3.99), a 500g bag of ground coffee and some cheese. I spent £34 and the amount of food bought wouldn't really last us more than a couple of days. Two bags of 'staples' (lots of fruit and veg under £1 per item) basically. Gone are the days when I could almost buy a week's shopping (albeit for two adults and a toddler) in Lidl for £15!

I notice it more in Sainbury's though. In the past year or so, some of the Basics items I regularly buy (butter, tinned pineapples in their own juice and ground coffee being the ones I buy frequently) have gone up markedly. Butter from 90p to £1.40, pineapple chunks from 25p to 55p and the ground coffee from £1.80 to £2.30. And to my mind there are fewer 'Basics' products on the shelves.

And I consider myself to be a frugal shopper (for food anyway).

ExhaustedAndHormonal · 27/02/2018 14:40

Agreed. I find it varies. I too meal plan. Shop on a Sunday or Monday.. Generally a small top up at tesco in a Fri for the weekend if needed,
Last week it was only 37..theres 2 adult one teen ( with a healthy appetite lol) yet this week was £72 and hardly any veg as no stock so just done veg and milk in tesco.. Another £ 12.50

I did Asda the other week as a major Rd to Aldi was diverted and couldn't be arsed to go a diff way.. And of course due to more selection and £1 offers I had no discipline.. Spent £168.. So much random crap in there too. Include some kitchen ware

happymumof4crazykids · 27/02/2018 14:40

I spend 150 a week for 2 adults 2 teenage boys and a 4 year old and 3 year old. I am struggling to keep to that! 2 years ago I spent 90 a week. Shop in the same places and haven't really changed anything except less nappies/wipes and no toddler milk. My shopping should be cheaper not more expensive Angry

Makingworkwork · 27/02/2018 14:44

Yes I have noticed this. I am trying to reduce our shopping spend but it is still going up.

Branleuse · 27/02/2018 14:45

it went up dramatically immediately after brexit vote

Original poster
NotWithABang · 27/02/2018 14:47

Well yes it may well be that I have been 'too used to very cheap food prices' but I highly doubt that the price difference is going to the workers who package the food/pick the fruits, etc. The standard of living is high, we both earn a decent wage but don't have a lot left over after housing costs, bills, running a car, childcare etc. Like many in this country I would imagine.
What worries me is that we're in an ok situation - I know there will be many more out there, for whom the rising costs means it becomes even harder to live day to day :(

OP posts:
Original poster
NotWithABang · 27/02/2018 14:49

Reeling yep that's my position many weeks. A 'luxury' will be £6 -8 on a bottle of wine, or like you say, £4 for some decent coffee!

OP posts:
LeKirby · 27/02/2018 14:55

YANBU but I suspect it will only get worse.
The reason prices didn't jump up to what they are now immediately post brexit is probably because of already negotiated prices/contracts as those come to an end and it's being negotiated between stores and suppliers prices will go up probably for another year or so yet, then again if import tariffs are introduced... we don't grow enough to be a self sustaining nation and haven't done for a long time.
I wonder how the poorest will cope with that + austerity cuts.

ReelingLush18 · 27/02/2018 14:56

NotWithABang in our household real coffee is a must - it is one of the few foodie luxuries we allow ourselves. We don't drink instant. Never have done!

Has anyone else read Lionel Shriver's The Mandibles? It's beginning to head that way in terms of food costs.

I think I may have to turn into one of those shoppers to be found loitering with intent at a certain time of the evening as items are reduced!

HunterofStars · 27/02/2018 14:57

Yanbu. A few years ago I was spending £43 on food a week but now it seems to be around £60 per week and that's just for me. I shop in the same place too, the only thing is that I no longer eat processed ready meals and cook from scratch.

I think this is a sign of things to come. It's terrifying. Sad Angry

theaveragewife · 27/02/2018 15:00

YANBU - I always judge it based upon the price of peppers, which seem to really fluctuate in line with economic factors.

The price of salmon is also pissing me off a treat.

SandyDenny · 27/02/2018 15:14

I'm surprised you've only just become aware of this, it's been happening for months and has been hugely discussed all over the place.

Whether it's brexit or something else food prices have been rising in all supermarkets.

Snowysky20009 · 27/02/2018 15:17

I found an old recipt a few days ago. Some items in Tesco up by 60p, 70p and £1.20 compared to a year ago. Times that across all your items and that's a lot!

Saladd0dger · 27/02/2018 15:23

Yes they are going up. I do the price increases in the evenings, 40p something’s went up last night. Most were 5p. But it all adds up

nixnjj · 27/02/2018 15:37

I have a budget I have to stick to for food. It hasn't changed in 3 year just means I buy less. All cleaning products are watered down bleach. 1 teabag makes 2 cups of tea, given up sugar, buy full fat milk and water it down and skip meals so my son eat. However fresh fruit, tuna and cheese are now considered luxury in this house.

It's is a worry, school has been in touch due to sons absence, he's been ill every time but I cant help worrying his illness are my fault as poverty is effecting every aspect of our lives an I can't see things improving anytime soon

SweetMoon · 27/02/2018 15:40

It has gone up a bit but food in general in the uk is still way cheaper than on the continent, with a few exceptions.