Food shopping tips appreciated!

[Strugglingmama1]

Hi all, I am fed up with expensive shopping and its not the meals that is the problem really - its the snacks.

I have 5 kids that are always hungry for snacks and I’m wondering is it actually cost effective to go to places like B&M and stock up on crisps, choc etc once a month for example, Or does it work out the same to just get it from the supermarket? Not just food but toiletries, cleaning products etc?

Does anyone have any tips on saving on the weekly food shop?

sometimes i go to the food warehouse thinking its cheaper but I don’t think it is. I can’t help but wonder if its better to just stick with aldi and be done with it?

I would consider going to the supermarkets for yellow sticker but I’m rural and the nearest supermarket is a 20 minute drive.

I’m also happy to make snacks but if you have fussy kids you’ll understand that that can be a waste of time and money too!

thanks in advance!

Er ...

... stop buying snacks!

If they're always hungry then you need to look at what they're eating at meal times as well as how much they're eating.

Look at what they are having for breakfast, things such as sugary cereals will not keep them full for long. What are they eating for dinner, etc. Would they eat things like homemade flapjacks, for example? The snacks that people tend to buy, are generally designed so that people eat more, and more of them. They are not going to sate the children's appetite.

Back in the day bread and butter was served with meals. Bread is a cheaper option to crisps and chocolate bars.

Pre packed snacks are always going to be expensive. How old are your kids? I found mine snacked less when they had a mini meal after school eg eggs on toast and a piece of fruit, rather than snacks which aren’t that filling or nutritious.

I have 5 kids that are always hungry for snacks
If they are getting crisps and chocolate then it's no surprise they are hungry for them.

I don't buy snacks really at all!

I make a cake about once a week and when it's gone, it's gone.

There is (seasonal) fruit in the bowl.

Bread for sandwiches or toast and cereal available too.

Big pot of yoghurt in the fridge.

I don’t let my kids snack in between meals

Bake things like scones, which are cheap to make, but filling. They can be served with cheese, and cut up veg, such as carrots, tomatoes, cucumber etc.

They are hungry for snacks because snacks are full of junk that makes you crave them

unlikey to be real hunger

it will be a battle because it’s an addiction but carrot sticks or bread and butter should be cheap and healthy options and the only ones available to them

it may be a grim few weeks

Thanks I understand what you’re saying and I appreciate your feedback. I have three teenagers, my son is 14 and as you can imagine is always eating. In fact he eats everything! My one daughter only eats noodles and things like sushi which aren’t cost effective. My eldest sorts herself out and the younger ones are happy with fruit and jelly, popcorn etc. I’ve been parenting a long time I’ve tried so many make it yourself snacks that end up in the bin. Maybe I’m just too soft

I buy a fixed amount of crisps, biscuits etc and then only put out so much per week. Once they’re done that’s it. There’s always fruit, yoghurt and baked stuff in the house and things for more substantial snacks but crisps and chocolate are limited. If they’re hungry (as opposed to just wanting something sweet) they’ll eat what’s there.

I’d say to cover both snacks and bulking up main meals so they’re less peckish you could investigate

https://hodmedods.co.uk/

Use more oats peas, beans, lentils, etc in meals. And experiment with all their flours for baking. (You can save money by buying in bulk.)

It's nice for children to have a few treats other than their meals but with five children it must get expensive for you.

If they are at the stage of huge appetites once they've exhausted their snack allocation tell them to make toast!

I’ve been parenting a long time I’ve tried so many make it yourself snacks that end up in the bin. Maybe I’m just too soft

Maybe, who can really say. All I know for sure, is that food should not be going to waste like that. That is just money down the drain. Chocolate muffins, cookies etc with things like peanut butter for energy, of course barring allergies etc, would they eat that? They could even help to make them.

is it actually cost effective to go to places like B&M and stock up on crisps, choc etc once a month for example,
No. They'll vanish very quickly once they're in the house.

Why do they need snacks? I grew up eating square meals and no snacks.

If you want to provide snacks buy cheaper and healthier ones or ones they aren't keen on.

See if you have an olio volunteer near you. It saves loads of money especially on bread and pastries, ie useful snacks.

just Stopping buying those sort of snacks. Children shouldn’t have those every day. Provide whole meal bread for toast; topping, and fruit. Then they wait for meals. And stop buying your kid sushi FFS.

Ignore others who say to stop buying snacks, you know how your family works best, but set a budget, stick to it and when the snacks are gone they are gone. I buy from B&M, but hide some away. My oldest son has a snack box, it gets filled once a week on a Friday and when it’s gone it’s gone. He’s learnt to spread it out and make it last.

What meals do they eat and how big are the portions?
How many snacks do the eat in a day, and what are the snacks?

Oh the luxury of “I only eat sushi” when your Mum is on a budget. Tell her to get real for a start 😅

How much are you currently spending per week?

get to your nearest oriental supermarket or even a large normal supermarket where a bag of rice and sushi "paper" will cost about the same as a small pack of ready made stuff. It'll give her something to do and save some money and it's really fun to make your own.
popcorn is literally the easiest and cheapest thing to make yourself if you buy a bag of corn!

I make two large wholemeal loaves each weekend and my ds works his way through them, toast with jam, marmite, peanut butter, cheese on toast etc.

Being wholemeal, it keeps him full for longer, plenty of fibre, not a UPF, and less sugar. Home made, two large loaves cost about £2 and last the whole week.

ETA sorry, I didn't mean to quote the above.

When ds was a teenager and grew more than 6" in 6 months I kept things loke this in the fridge:

Pasta, chopped spring onion, smoked mackerel, mayo (whole bag of pasta)

Pasta with tomato sauce (home made) with onion and basil and a bag of spinach for goodness.

Far better than crisps and biscuits.

Always had apples and bananas in

I bought a bag of six crisps for two children once a week. When they were gone, they were gone.

There's also bread and jam or bread and marmite.

In answer to your original Q... i don't think going to b&m, poundland, farm foods or wherever is going to be cost effective.

If you're buying chocolate, crisps etc. These foods have been engineered to get you to want to eat more! Total false economy.

Obviously have some sweet treats now and again but they're role is not to be filling or nutritious.

I'd recommend stocking up on things in a normal supermarket like: Fruit, crackers (big packs not the minis), popcorn, cheese (not pre-sliced), eggs (to hardboil), sliced pan (for toast), dried nuts... I get that they're a bit boring but they're way more filling than some iced gems or a chocolate bar.

For the older kids, they can use pocket money for sweet stuff IMO

Do weekly baking with the littles (muffins, biscuits, flapjacks)

Having said all of this, I'm a serial offender when it comes to giving in to my kids and buying overpriced snacks because they eat them and they're so bloody convenient... I'm looking at you Mini Cheddars and Pouch yoghurts