Two things kicked off this experiment:
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A growing discomfort at donating almost our entire household budget (and some) to a retailer I feel more and more dubious about. A documentary on their food quality was the nail in that particular coffin.
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An urgent need to cut the household budget!
But can I boycott Tescos - one of the cheapest retailers - AND reduce our spending? Hmmm.
Day 1: go to Neville's shop. Asked why veg box hasn't arrived as ordered. Neville tells me he's been burgled by kids and they've cleaned out a lot of stock and the money he had on the premises. Neville's nearly 70. He looks like he's been floored. Wonder what would happen if we all just channelled a proportion of our spending to people like Neville. He gives me a free real nappy to try and we have a nice chat!
Next day, run out of washing up liquid. Go to local corner shop. And buy...washing up liquid. NOTHING ELSE!! That's a first.
Over the week have shopped at about 7 different stores and stalls for things I'd have bought exclusively from Tescos. 2 were a complete rip off, with food that went off immediately. But found a couple of stars.
There's no way I could do this if I was working full time. Wish more small shops would do home delivery.
Gave in and went to Tescos on B/Holiday. Bad planning.
But at the end of the week:
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Our bins, for the first time EVER, are not overflowing on collection day.
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We seem to be almost completely vegetarian, which is difficult because we don't eat pasta/bread much. good meat is far too expensive, and not sure i trust local butcher.
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I've used cash almost exclusively. That wasn't the plan but I now think me and DH should start setting a weekly budget in cash and stop using debit cards.
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I don't know yet if we've spent less money, but we've definitely wasted less.
But now I have to load 2 kids + baby into the car to go and find nappies. They would normally have arrived on the back of their own lorry with guilt-ridden regularity.
And next week will be a challenge. The big stuff - washing powder, dishwasher powder, shampoos, etc - are running out. Tesco very cheap for this stuff. Do I give in and give them my money, or spend more money somewhere else? Hmmmm....