Help! Food bill is ridiculous!

[Hobby2014]

So I watched that eat for less program last week.
We don't have a budget for food. So thought I'd add up what I spent recently. So between 29th December & 29th January..... It came to over £600. I was gobsmacked.

We have that delivery saver thing with Tesco so just order whenever we want, as much or as little as we want. Obviously we order too much. There's only me, DH and 6 month old ds and his formula isn't even available to order online so I can't even blame the high bill on him..

So, I'm trying not to spend as much. So far in feb I've only spent £10 on fresh stuff at Asda. As we obviously have stock of loads that has kept us going.

So, now to my question.
We don't buy any Tesco everyday value stuff. Comparing prices just now, I can see some stuff is ridiculously cheaper! So plan to swap a few things over. Well a lot of things.

Any recommendations on what value food tastes ok and what I should avoid?

I'm not sure I could swap meat. Does anyone eat cheao meat? Is it ok?

Also what about toiletries & cleaning stuff? Value washing up liquid, shower gel, fabric conditioner etc?

Any other help on how to reduce food bill would be lovely. DH likes meat & doesn't like beans/pulses ie a chilli can't have kidney beans in it. I also need to lose a lot of weight, about 4 stone, so need reasonable low fat/calorie/sugar foods. Rather than cheap, stodgy food to fill us up.

Thanks.

when I say 'food' bill I mean 'everything' bill - food, toiletries, cleaning, baby stuff etc

Thank you everyone for your help with my shopping bill!
This week I ordered shopping and spent £54 for the week! Quite an improvement.
Have bought quite a bit in the value range and so far things taste the same. I'm hoping I can just spend that each week now. I'm still so shocked at myself for spending so much before.

I shop at tesco as well with the delivery saver thing but but my meat at the butcher. Spend 40-60 a week all in on four.

But how much time do you have to cook? That makes a huge difference. I save a lot because I spend a lot of time cooking. So for example I never make something like pork chops, with veg and a baked potato as too expensive. Meat is usually integrated IYSWIM. so cheap cuts of meat slow cooked into stews, chillis, pilafs, pies etc or just less meat in things.

So for example I do a chicken pie that uses maybe one big leg of chicken, a bit of bacon, loads and loads of mushrooms, leeks and carrots. Feeds four of us no problem.

Tesco very often do a half price salmon side (on now) and I always buy this and make fish cakes and fish fingers for the freezer along with a couple of meals (eg fish pie and tandoori salmon).

DH really into meat but me and DCs less fussed so our meals when he's not around are usually veg based. We go through packs of mushrooms.

Also I know there's alsYs sniffing at the mumsnet Magic chicken but it is true that unless you only like breast meat you can make a whole chicken go quite far. Buying chicken breasts is a fools game. They are so expensive.

I meal plan which saves a lot of money.

We don't generally have snacks in the fridge. Things like ham, hummus wtc are so expensive. I usually do a big dip at the beginning of the week which we have throughout the week with oat cakes, crackers etc.

I also buy a big tub of yoghurt from Lidl when I can and add things like frozen blueberries instead of pricy yoghurts. Full fat yoghurt is your friend by the way as you need the fat to help with the sugar.

Ditch the diet coke! I used to drink it and have lost lots of weight and saved lots of money.

Haven't read thread but I'm sure others have said re being careful of misleading offers, buying bags of veg rather than loose etc.

Pre prepared anything is always beyond expensive.

Ultimately though how much time do you have spare? Do you work long hours? Because if not
Much time then it's wprth it to cut corners rather than go mad.

Part of it could be that you've just got too much in the store cupboard, freezer. Having a month, like it sounds you are doing, just topping up on the fresh stuff, can make a huge saving in that month's bill. And then look seriously at what is in the cupboards. And work out how much (if any) you are throwing away.

It might make for some odd meal combinations - or some new favourites.

Then the biggest thing you can do is meal plan - doesn't have to be obsessive, just work out what you are going to eat over the week.

Monday - spag bol, Tues, fish and chips out the freezer, Wednesday DH out so eating beans on toast/caviar and foie gras etc etc.

And be a bit flexible so the plan can cope with unexpected guests or going out spur of the moment.

Also put leftovers in the freezer or take to work/eat at lunch.