Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

To not have a clue what Shop Well For Less is on about?

150 replies

Miladymilord · 19/09/2018 20:44

She's got a decent pair of curtains. Why would you buy another cheaper pair? How does that save money? The kids have a football goal. Why would you buy another, crappier, cheaper one when you've already got one? HOW IS THAT SAVING MONEY. This programme is giving me the rage.

OP posts:

CaptainCorrigan · 20/09/2018 09:12

I don't get it either. It should be renamed to 'look at how stupid people can be with money'. It would be better if they were helping people set up home or something rather than trying to knock a bit of sense into someone who'll happily spend £300 on a kettle or £8 on hair gel for a teenager

Original poster

Miladymilord · 20/09/2018 09:14

Wasn't there something like this with Alvin Hall a while ago? I remember that being quite good - fairly serious budgeting advice.

also I know it shouldn't matter but Alex and steph are patronising and annoying

OP posts:

FaFoutis · 20/09/2018 09:15

Even by having no holidays and crap cushions by the time they saved up the £40,000 (and then found out they needed £10,00 more) the children would have left home.
I think they made a valid choice in renting and trying to give the children a nice childhood. In their case the pressure to buy a house is the biggest problem.

FaFoutis · 20/09/2018 09:15

Maybe a new program is needed - Get Paid More.

Original poster

Miladymilord · 20/09/2018 09:17

I think they made a valid choice in renting and trying to give the children a nice childhood. In their case the pressure to buy a house is the biggest problem

I completely agree.

OP posts:

hubbibubbub · 20/09/2018 09:18

My advice to them would be to get a second job or income. Can be done.

Save up and buy a 2 bedroom flat for when the boys leave home.

Sorted

Original poster

Miladymilord · 20/09/2018 09:21

My advice to them would be to get a second job or income. Can be done. Save up and buy a 2 bedroom flat for when the boys leave home

That's exactly what I said to dh last night.

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 20/09/2018 09:25

But as they have, and I think we'd all agree books are a lovely addition to a house, then what's the point?

To point out to them, and others, that they didn’t need to spend the money and that they don’t need to spend money on books in future. I thought it was obvious. It’s showing where money is being spent unnecessarily.

FaFoutis · 20/09/2018 09:26

Most of those books looked like sets from the Book People. Using codes (MN is handy for those) you can get 10 books for about 3 pence.

Babyblade · 20/09/2018 09:36

The clue to spending less = stop spending!

There was a guy a couple of weeks back who was already wearing a £3000 watch and wanted to upgrade it to a £6000 version! .... and he didn't even have it set to the correct time because he used his phone instead.

Either the families on this programme are really stupid of the editors are doing a real hatchet job on them.

The only good thing is that my DD watches it and it's a real eye opener for her. For DH and me it's frustrating.

Ironfloor269 · 20/09/2018 09:45

It is a ridiculous show. Based on a previous episode, DH bought cheap supermarket razor blades and they were crap. According to their stupid survey, the supermarket razor blades were ranked higher than Gillette (or something, I can't remember the brand but it was something expensive).

Also, how the fuck can an Argos value vacuum cleaner be better than Hoover, you blinking morons? Seriously!

I agree that when it comes to groceries, branded isn't always better and sometimes own brands can be better value. But for white goods, surely, branded is better in most cases. Especially when it comes to durability. For instance, an Aldi knockoff Converse pair will be much, much cheaper but the genuine Converse will far outlive the Aldi pair, won't it?

We now watch it for the entertainment value.

CaptainCorrigan · 20/09/2018 09:50

It does make me chuckle sometimes though, the woman the other week 'we've been in a 'charity bookshop today!' Like she'd just discovered sliced bread

Original poster

Miladymilord · 20/09/2018 09:52

I've just been into matalan, the orange cushion wasn't there but I imagine the 12 green one was the same. Crackly stuffing and cheap looking cover. Nice colour though.

OP posts:

PiperPublickOccurrences · 20/09/2018 10:00

the pressure to buy a house is the biggest problem

But the problem is that they HAD a house and a mortgage. They didn't save though, so when they were both made redundant they ran up a huge amount of debt and ended up having to sell the house. They were clearly not happy with renting but failed to see it was their own poor choices which meant they were in that situation. And also refused to take any steps to change that situation.

Original poster

Miladymilord · 20/09/2018 10:02

Yes, and using them as a tool to sell cheap cushions and crap garden forks is low and patronising.

OP posts:

spidey66 · 20/09/2018 10:08

I assume it's to help viewers avoid making similar mistakes, and also to show participants that expensive does not always mean the best value.

Original poster

Miladymilord · 20/09/2018 10:10

No, expensive doesn't mean the cheapest. Who knows if it's the best value? A cheap garden fork that breaks after a year is not best value of you buy a more expensive fork that lasts ten years!

OP posts:

jumpingeasel · 20/09/2018 10:13

Agreed. They already own all the expensive stuff and the money is spent so not sure why they always mention the expensive TV etc, not like they're buying one every week

Nothisispatrick · 20/09/2018 10:13

It’s about teaching them that branded isn’t always best. Particularly the ‘snazzy dresser’ dads, there seems to be one every week.

The experiments are utterly pointless though, and sometimes buying cheap is just a false economy. Did they test how long those air beds will last? No. You don’t buy brand new camping equipment every year. Yes I could buy a £4 t shirt, but I could also buy a £20 t shirt made from cotton that will last much longer and be much better quality!

Original poster

Miladymilord · 20/09/2018 10:17

If I could go back in time I would have spent more on good quality clothes. I still wear things that are almost 30 years old! The cheap crap from new look has gone by the wayside after a couple of years

OP posts:

CaptainCorrigan · 20/09/2018 10:19

It’s about teaching them that branded isn’t always best. Particularly the ‘snazzy dresser’ dads, there seems to be one every week

Ones that still look like a bag of shite whether in designer or not

Original poster

Miladymilord · 20/09/2018 10:21

I thought that

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 20/09/2018 10:22

I think it’s more that when something breaks etc they can buy something cheaper and still be as good ifnotbetter the costly stuff

jay55 · 20/09/2018 10:29

With families like the ones on the show, it’s hard to see why the high street is struggling.

The show with Alvin Hall was great he created a budget and showed them their money leaks, it was like a combination of both show, stopping families having separate meals, suggesting cheaper or no holidays etc.

Original poster

Miladymilord · 20/09/2018 10:36

and still be as good ifnotbetter the costly stuff

This isn't an exact science

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6