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Housekeeping

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How on Earth do you cut down your food bill without buying low quality stuff and when you have 3 hungry kids, a husband and several animals?

245 replies

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 24/01/2010 12:55

DH just looked through my spending and it is about £800+ a month on food.

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bronze · 24/01/2010 14:56

will everyone stop going on about ocado they don't deliver her

(waitrose deliver do but theyre crap)

NoahAndTheWhale · 24/01/2010 14:59

I find that menu planning and then not "popping to the shop", unless I have a specific list and Do Not Deviate is helping to cut down food bills.

Also makign it a point of honour not to throw anything away - we used to be terrible

crankytwanky · 24/01/2010 15:00

I meant to say when Nappolina are half price. 49p I think. And the basics are 39p round our way, I'm sure.(Justifies frivolity.)

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 24/01/2010 15:00

bronze??? ocado deliver waitrose food...

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tispity · 24/01/2010 15:01

join costco if you are not willing to compromise on quality brands yet you want to bulk buy - good for pet food too

you don't say where you live but there is an excellent wholesale fruit and veg market in london and a fish market too where you could bulk buy and freeze

buy a slow cooker to cook in bulk using less energy - others on MN use cheap tough cuts of meat which become lovely and soft but i don't eat it so buy something a bit better for the boys

bake your own bread, cakes, biscuits - i manage organic versions for less that the price of some value brands

Ohforfoxsake · 24/01/2010 15:01

I am moving house to another part of the country. I have checked Ocado deliver . Have you considered moving, Bronze?

I'm not a snob, honestly, but the prospect of going to the supermarket doesn't do anything for me.

I disagree with the once-a-week shop (sorry!) simply because I always end up with drippy veg in the salad drawer. bleurgh.

bronze · 24/01/2010 15:02

they use two companies to do it
ocado
and 'waitrose deliver'

waitrose deliver are rubbish

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 24/01/2010 15:02

Don't all shout or laugh but I have a real problem/fear of my children going hungry (I wasn't fed much as a kid) and that is why I tend to replace some things before the following week. I won't be doing it any more though and will make do this week. Thanks to a very generous mnter I had £20 to spend in a supermarket today and that got us some food. Thank you.

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bronze · 24/01/2010 15:03

Fox I love it. We are on the market. We were trying for a certain high school catchment but I guess I better check the ocado delivery too

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 24/01/2010 15:04

I don't think we have a costco near by. There is a Lidl but have never been in it.

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bronze · 24/01/2010 15:05

We use the wholesaler too
Round here its Bookers
buy my sugar, flour etc in bulk. Used to get it from Suma but it was too dear

cilitbang · 24/01/2010 15:06

Have you tried using Mysupermarket.com? I find it much easier to keep track on buying exactly what I need, the 'favourites' really help here. I there for don't get sucked into the offers that I don't need when I buy online.

With Mysupermarket.com, it will automatically show you where you can save money in your trolley ie: you've bought Napolina tomatoes did you realise that the chopped ones are on offer? Also shows you a 'downshift option' from Martin Lewis.

Yes you do pay for the delivery £4.50 - £6.00, but you easily save this on all the offers that are useful for you, don't forget you save on petrol too. Also scour HOTUKDEALS for vouchers which give you money off, I've found vouchers some weeks which have given me up to £20 off my shop by simply putting in a code! Love it when that happens!

I would also say definitely plan your meals at the beginning of the week when you do your weekly shop, therefore you only buy what you need. You could even plan your meals around whats on offer.

Another idea is once a month, just buy the basics, milk, bread, pasta etc and try and live off the freezer and storecupboard. Finishing off all the things at the back of the freezer and cupboard. You'll be surprised how many meals you'll get out of the odd ends!

tispity · 24/01/2010 15:06

have you seen that website (link in moneysavingexpert) where you can buy stuff near it's sell by date but before its use-by date - i had a look once and the reductions are huge. do you have a Makro or a Netto near you?

muggglewump · 24/01/2010 15:07

I just found these sites yesterday so haven't used them yet, but plan to.
here and here

muggglewump · 24/01/2010 15:07

Oh I think that's what I've just linked to Tispity.
What a cross post!

bronze · 24/01/2010 15:08

oooh me likey
lots more time wasting for me then

RumourOfAHurricane · 24/01/2010 15:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bronze · 24/01/2010 15:10

I also want to go freeganing/freeganising? but too chicken to go on my own

Ohforfoxsake · 24/01/2010 15:11

Never been in Lidl?!

Love Lidl. It is fab.

This week you can get a belt sander for those DIY enthusiasts and mangos for 20p. And from Thursday 'creature comforts' are on offer. You can get a cat scratching post. Look at the website.

Not many places offer such convenience!

tispity · 24/01/2010 15:13

lidl is great - once you overcome the psychological barrier. ethnic shops are good too for large quantities of pepper, fresh herbs, garlic, chillies etc

muggglewump · 24/01/2010 15:14

I'd love to go freeganing (is that a word?), but also too chicken to go on my own and the nearest big supermarkets are too far away to go to late at night (No car)

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 24/01/2010 15:18

aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhh

dh reckons it would be cheaper if we all ate ready meals.

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ProfYaffle · 24/01/2010 15:19

Do you have any farm shops nearby? My local one is currenly selling 25kg sacks of potatoes for £3!

Lidl is fab btw.

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 24/01/2010 15:20

Only reason not been in lidl is it is in town where I don't go often and haven't seen parking but had a think and could park in asda living car park and nip across.

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Ohforfoxsake · 24/01/2010 15:21

but would you eat all those spuds before they sprout and turn to mush?

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