monthly bulk buying - does it work better?

[annaje]

I normally shop weekly - with a few top-ups in the week. This is becoming increasingly expensive as we all know so does anyone shop monthly for basics/storecupboard/laundry etc and top up with fresh ingredients. If so, do you find it a cheaper way to shop?

I don't find it cheaper, it'll mean that 3 shops of the months will be less, but one will obviously be more. It's less hassle definitely. Once a month we'll stock up on the basics/fish & meat to freeze/household items/toiletries/nappies etc, and then weekly I will top up the milk/bread/fruit & veg/chilled food. Usually spend about £150 doing the big shop at the end of the month, and then around £50-60 per week on fresh food. That is for 2 adults and a toddler.

I find it cheaper AND less hassle to do a monthly main shop - fewer trips to the shops for 'top-ups' means we are less likely to add things to the basket that we don't want or need.

I'd absolutely love to do one big main shop per month for all of our food, unfortunately I have to eat a lot of fresh fruit/veg/salad which has a short shelf life and is the main reason we have to go weekly.

Shopping online also cuts down my bills, I can't throw a tempting BOGOF in my trolley and it's so bloody annoying doing it online that I just get what I need and order as quickly as possible! I should do that more really, but only do it maybe once a month.