Can we have a food is so expensive atm and this is how to save money thread?

[jenk1]

cos i did a shop last week and i was staggered at how much prices are going up.

i know lidl and aldi are cheaper but you cant always get everything there.

am on income support now and have to count my pennies carefully.

TIA

not sure what the supermarkets do with meat but have you noticed if you unwrap it it goes off? whereas when I get meat from the butcher he says I shouldn't leave it in plastic bag, and use it as soon as poss.

Our butcher is at least double the price of Tesco

The cat brought in a live rabbit earlier - dh suggested we fatten it up then eat it as free food I do know someone who cycles round our country lane looking for fresh roadkill then serves it up for dinner. Funnily enough I've always declined invitations at her house

You can buy savoury TVP at most health food shops which is dried vegetarian mince, it's very cheap compared to real mince and in a dish with vegetables and pulses it's palatable.

We buy it because my OH is vegetarian but the rest of us eat it because we're on an economy drive again - one 500g bag will do us about 5 meals.

some of these ideas are really good.
have been meal planning for a couple of weeks now and can see how much money im saving, BUT food prices are getting so expensive atm, think asda is not as cheap as it used to be.

add beans and pulses to stews and soups to thicken and provide more nutrition.

grate cheese for cheese on toast or pizza (makes it go further).

only buy meat once a week.

learn to forage...

we can find mussels, nettles, parsley, blackberries, raspberries, mushrooms, near us (though we live by the sea) etc to suppliment your diet. tried to perswade hubby to take up fishing again and got a hostile response, but that also is like free food. get to know your local fisherman (crabs, macrel etc are cheaper off the boat). borrow the book 'free food' from your library!

and grow your own (easy peasy in pots).

bulk buy grains to keep in your store cupboard (for that end of the month feeling).

grow your own herbs.

save up to have a sweet at the end of the day (rather than something after lunch). you look forward to it and then you can diet well too.

sometimes for us it's just hot tea and biscuits.

we do all of these things regularly and more often when at the end of the month.

food should be enjoyed though, so if you can don't get into the routine of cheapo fishfingers, peas and mash for more than once a week! do a good menu!!

Goto the library and get books on vegetarian food - i'm not veggie but I love it, adn it it usually cheaper. My mum goes 'ooooh I couldn't be vegetarian' but meals like cheese-and-tomato pizza, egg-n-chips, salad with poached egg, soups etc are all veggie. And she eats those no prob.

This thread from a while back had some great ideas on it for saving money on food.

It's also really easy to make your own pizza bases and naan bread - I'll post the recipea if anyone wants them.

Agree with mrspnut re soya mince/tvp. A 200g bag costs about 50p in Sainsbury's (I find it works best for things like chilli non carne or curry rather than spag bol but it's still ok)

chocolatespider, re Aldi, i am all for saving a couple of bob, but lets talk toilet roll, i got some from there, like wiping yourself with wallpaper,i don't care how expensive it is, soft loo roll is a must

Naan bread recipe PLEASE!

I love naan bread. We make all our own bread already.

Also, you can buy packets of dried noodles for about 20p or less, have them as soup or stir fry with few bits of veg or left over meat.

Lidl's tagliatelle is FAB - and cheap.

they also sell soup broth mixes which are great for a quick tea - just bulk them out with veg or mince for a week's worth of lunch.

noodles are good...

make sure you have some nice condiments to go with, chop a carrot, some frozen sweetcorn, onion and your there with a nice noodle soup.

make your own bread, cakes, biscuits etc.
grow your own veg where possible, and herbs too.

buy a chicken (the biggest you can find) and roast it - the left overs will last for days. soup, pasta bakes, risotto, curry...

I draw out £20 a week and that's what I use to buy food, then I shop once every 5/6 weeks or so from testo to get my bulky items.

So i'm loving these tips but what do you buy that you just couldn't/wouldn't compromise on.

For us it is butter makes naff bread taste ok and is great for making own sauces and cakes.
I tried stork for cakes as much cheaper but not so sure.

I also agree with loo paper, has to be of a certain standard.

my main money saving tip is buy and cook in bulk on a more well off month ie one without bills and then you have great meals in the freezer for leaner times

left-overs can be frozen for lunch!

meat. i won't eat meat from battery-farmed animals. ditto eggs from battery hens. i'd rather go without.

Another one...if you live near an oriental grocery store, try there for veg, salad, fruit and herbs. It is significantly cheaper than in other supermarkets.

Expat - do you want my recipe for naan which is not very exact or the real grown-up one with measurements and everything ?
And while I'm here, a good children's dinner is rainbow rice - boil rice with stock for flavour if you have it, add chopped carrot, pepper, mushrooms, frozen peas, sweetcorn etc, then drain and stir in diced ham, chicken or whatever you have and a whisked egg to stick it together. Healthy, cheap and very pretty....

I have a chest freezer in the garage so if any supermarket is having a really good offer I buy loads and stock up. I find I hardly ever buy full price stuff any more! I am also a massive LIDL convert - I tend to buy a chicken every week and roast on sunday. The left overs do luches for a good 3 days. Herbs and spices can brighten up ANYTHING.

I make pizzas from baguettes - just put tomato puree, chopped up tomato and then peppers or whatever, a few mixed herbs and then grate cheese on top. Grill for 10 mins and you have a very healthy and cheap pizza!

Always try to make extra at tea time for lunch the next day e.g. pasta. Even what seems like a small portion can be bulked out with salad, bread etc

I got a blender from Woolworths (£10)and have made fab soups e.g. leeks, potato and onion simmered in a little milk then blend. Tastes like has been made with cream!

Bake a cake at the weekends for snacks/packed lunches.

And finally!....I know its not food but, I was given a great tip about shampoo etc. Only buy what you would normally say 3 weeks per month. For the 4th week you use up the dregs of all the bottles pots etc. It really works for me, and helps keep the bathroom clutter free!

Yes, Scooter, I would love it!

The not-so-exact recipe is a cup of flour per naan, a teaspoon of yeast, 1/2 teaspoon salt and enough natural yogurt to make a pliable dough (maybe about 1/2 cup but add it bit by bit and stop when you think it's enough). I make it in my Kitchenaid but by hand would be the same I imagine.
Let it rise for an hour then knock down and shape it into naan bread-ish shapes. I cook it on my cast-iron griddle pan a few minutes either side then brush it with melted butter mixed with crushed garlic if I want it softer than usual and can be bothered with more mess!