Like many others I am totally skint and wondered if anyone would like to...

[mamadiva]

join me in a kindof downgrade challenge with food, household cleaners, toiletries etc.

Random idea I know but I fancied trying it and this way we can find out whats good and whats not.

So anyone up for it?

Oops I forgot.. I also use the Sainsbury's meadow fresh own brand concentrated fabric softener.. smells lovely & I have to stock up on loads when I go anywhere near, cos I've got my MIL hooked when she came to babysit once, when there was washing draped all over the bathroom, just loved the smell!

I use lots of own brands, washing powder, nappies, wipes, dog food, tinned goods, loo roll, kitchen roll,coffee, cleaning products. I shop about a bit, dont have a car so only do 1 shop every 2 weeks, other stuff i get from local aldi(nappys and cleaning products v.good)

as my mums says "you have got to know your prices"!!

before i buy anything big toys cds electrical goods i search the net, ebay amazon.

we dont do too bad dp is a builder and hasnt worked for 3 months this summer as no work!(no benifits as registered self employed) savings came in v. handy! he is now working for an agency for minimum wage so every penny counts!I work part time 25 hours evenings and weekends so we dont have to pay for child care. We get by with a tiny bit saved for important things! good luck everyone down grading!!

Asda smart price ketchup is really lovely, huge glass (recyclable) bottle for 24p and the kids prefer it to Heinz. Whenever I visit an Asda I always buy about 10 bottles, people must think I have a cafe.

i've started meal planning and reduced my weekly shop by about £20.i also make homemade stuff which goes alot further.i went to poundland today i love it in there got chocs and sweets for stocking fillers maltesers,maynards wine gums.today also in tesco xmas decs half price got some really nice baubles for 60p.somerfield have really good offers.super size chickens were £9 now £4.50.were having one of these instead of a turkey.

Def buy bigger packs of meat quite often on buy 2 for less deals. I cook it all in one go and freeze portions. Ideal for this is mince (as in mince and tatties) I swear it tastes better frozen and reheated, chilli, bolognaise, and I use one big jar of curry sauce and make 2 portions up with the chicken, bulked up with peppers, julliane sp? carrots etc.

I now also really think about portions and use normal plates instead of the huge bowls I had. I measure my rice and pasta to give me just the right amount, cuts down on waste or waists depending on if you eat or bin the extra .

I use a menu planner for the week really helps cut down on veg waste as I know what meals I need veg for.

Still get half decent toothpaste, deoderants, shampoo and shower gel but only ever buy it on bogof deals. I try not to be too fussy and just buy what is on special offer, maiking sure it is actually a better deal.

Oh and I have started doing a monthly food shop online, means I can see exactly what I am buying, how much it will all cost and I am not temted to hide unnesesary things in with the food shop.

Lidls coco pops are fantastic. My DS loves them, i think they're better than originals. Also Lidls concentrated washing liquid is brill, was worried as DS has bad skin but its fine. Also aloe vera loo roll. Oh, and custard creams too...! I do buy a lot of cheaper stuff and decanter it into 'expensive' bottles. Tom sauce not been outed yet! Sainsburys basics fruit and fibre, also great. Still can't drag myself away from Bertolli thou.

Pound stretcher does all kinds of cereal bars and big packs of crisps much cheaper than anywhere else. Ideal for lunch boxes. If you add a 1/2 cup of vinegar to the washing machine, it works like fabric softener.

what do the clothes smell like with using vinager?

You lot are lucky buggers, am v.jealous we dont have a pundland or pundstretcher here. Although we do have an Instore, havent been in though must try as they do some housey/snack things

chrys I'd be interested in that too dont your clothes smell of vinegar? That would be good for us as havent used softener for a long time due to mine and DS's eczema.

I would love to, but my DH just cannot help buying expensive things! However I have just recently banned him doing the shopping and managed to spend just £45 and $48 in two seperate weekly shops!

So I shall watch this thread, and where I can, join you all!

You know, reading through this thread, I use many of these products anyway!!!

I use Sainsbury's own concentrated non-bio, and then I have a biological Persil for the emergencies, and whites once a month.

I use own brand anppies from Tesco and Sainsburys and they are fine. I never got on with pampers and Huggies anyway they used to leak for my boys!

I get a big block of Tesco value maild cheese instead of babybells and cheese strings ect i just cut it into sticks for the kids - they haven't noticed a difference.

Tesco value Fromage Frais - kids haven't noticed its not Petite Flou. (sp?)

Charlee i use asda nappies as i found the sainsburys ones not v. good! i still love aldi!

muppetgirl how you getting on with those nappies? Just being nosey to see what someone else thinks of them.

Havent read all posts but i use a sainsburys non bio washing powder with about same amount of washing soda(small scoopfull)it costs 50p for big bag and gets stuff clean and you use less washing powder.Have a grubby ds(3)
Use vinegar, bicarb and washing up liquid paste to get rid of burnt on stuff(keep in small bowl at sink) actually use this for cleaning hob,sink work surface etc. Add 10 drops of teetree oil(1 ot 2 qiud at wilkos)to your hot soapy watrer for floors
Add couple drops lavender oil to toilet bowl-this just smells nice!
I havent bought any cleaning products for ages apart from ecover washing up liquid and i've saved loads-oh i make an anti bac spray with liquid soap teetree oil and vinegar for table/worktops.Also use cheapo dishwasher powder,seems to do the trick

Ok, i've had to downgrade on loads. Always go for offers and cook according to what's on offer.
I've ditched kitchen cleaners etc for Vinegar - it's great.
Own brand toilet roll - is fine.
Market Value tomatoes, potatoes, cucumber all ok. Market value pears (yuk).
I now shop with mysupermarket.com and do all the swaps they suggest ect.

I do find it all very boring though, penny pinching!

Mamadiva,
The clothes smell fine, not like fabric softener obviously but ok. My kids both have mild eczema too and they're ok with it. In case you didn't know its great for cleaning smudgy glasses and stained bibs as well.

I like the tips on essential oils.

I bought a digital frame for my mum last night in asda for £30, then came on here to see that Argos had one reduced from 129.99 to 29.99 so I sneaked out of work today to get one. There were loads of kids toys going at half price. I got a vitech baby phone for less than a fiver, a pack of 2 wooden models for around 5 and one of those read my mind gadgets half price I then got a fiver voucher as I spent £52 including batteries. Their sale starts again on Tuesday.
Anyone know of any bargains in lego?

Ooh thats good chrys Im trying to find some decent gifts still, might take a look.

Havent seen any lego offers apart from... where was it... Argos? I cant remember sorry.

I bought the asda SP nappies and wipes today also their own brand washing powder and fab conditioner I will let you know how I get on .

Meant to say large tubes of colgate are on offer for a pound in asda ,so may be worth getting a couple in.

-all the lidl W5 cleaning things we have tried (dishwasher tabs, w/up liquid etc) have been as good as anything else we've used

I use Tesco own brand washing powder very good.
Also any supermarket own brand tinned dog food goes down well, plus Wagg dried.
Often get smartprice cheese can't taste any difference?
agree about asda peppers, very good.