Shopping Bills

[Chinchilla]

Long story, but dh and I are having to make cut backs in our monthly expenditure. We realised that I was spending far too much while shopping, because I make several trips to various supermarkets, and get a few extra things that can sometimes add up to £30 a time, on top of the weekly shop. OK, so we decided to stop having take-aways at the weekend, going out for pizza, and for me to make only one visit to the supermarket, unless I need milk or bread (and then I must only buy those items). No problem there, and last week, I managed to spend 'only' £75 in two trips (one for milk only!) However, today I went for the weekly shop, and managed to spend £110. Before you all gasp in horror, I have ds's 2nd birthday party next Monday, and a lot of the shop involved fizzy drinks, wine, squash etc. Also, there were a lot of toiletries involved this week. In addition, wherever possible, I bought BOGOF items and 'two for £xxx' offers.

Although I now live down south, as far as I know there are no Waitroses in Scotland. Up until about 10-15 years ago, there were no Sainsburys either. and WHSmith disappeared for years too cos we had good old John Menzies. Way off topic now.

Like MariaLuisa said, cut down the meat. Veggie alternatives cost so much less (and are much healthier). You'd be so much better buying good quality meat (organic, free range) and having it only a couple of times a week, and probably feel better too.

ghengis, I just read your post about Lidl being a bit scary - that is SO TRUE!!
I am sitting here hooting with laughter at the thought of you being too scared to do a full shop
Also the checkouts are so badly designed, with no place to put your shopping except back into your trolley, as fast as you like , please, to avoid the menacing glances...but I still LOVE it for its cheapness and general quirkiness.

Believe me you soon get used to the somewhat aesthetically challenged appearance of many of its customers. It is the only place I shop where I can feel almost glamorous!

jasper, I was once behind a woman at the checkout in Lidl who obviously had no idea what it's all about - she grumbled about having to pay for bags and grumbled even louder about having everything swept back into the trolley and then had a full-scale bitch because the checkout woman wouldn't pack for her, walked out and left it all behind! What a cow!
Haven't noticed any scary people - maybe I go at the wrong time of day. The staff are nice and helpful too - the few that there are. (Maybe that's just Accrington though.)

Netto can be scary too, Jerry Springer candidates abound.

I'm a big fan of the "Reduced to Clear" section of Tescos. DH does most of the shopping (as he's SAHD) and I'm often presented with something weird and wonderful that he's found there. Fortunately I'm a fairly confident cook so I can usually cope with venison fillet or whatever. I'm also a fan of our local market. All those "Scoop for a pound" bargains get me every time. Yesterday it was avocados, so it'll be guacamole and avocado and bacon salad for a few days until they're all gone.

I have to agree with the other posts. If your DH continues to be nasty about this, make him do the shopping and cooking for a week or two.

Lidl sounds terrifying. I was thinking of going but I'm too scared now

Where is this scary Lidl? Never heard of it. I want one!

The worst thing about Lidl for me is the Bargain Stuff. I never realised there were so many things I didn't know I needed. (Luckily they took back the 2 giant towels - 200cm x 140cm - didn't realise how huge that is until I opened the packets!) One of the best was the little felt pads to put on your chair legs etc on laminate floors - you get 100s for about 99p.

SamboM, they are all over the place but tend to be in downmarket areas (eg Accrington - it has Lidl AND Aldi AND Netto. Lidl is the most convenient for me, I quite like Netto but it burned down once and I never got into the habit of going again and I didn't like Aldi when I tried it - maybe now I'm used to the concept (everything on pallets and/or in boxes) I should try again).

Very cross - seems to be no Lidl/Aldi or Asda where I live and when tried the other end of the spectrum - Waitrose did not deliver althouigh they have a store in Bromley!!!

Never heard of Aldi or Netto either. I think we are deprived of these bargain centres in london.

I do remember once going to a strange place where everthing was on palattes and you could only buy in huge quantities, was called something like Kall Kwik (but obv not as that is a printing shop) Anyone know what that was? I think it was in Acton or Shepherds Bush

Kwik Save?

That's it! Do they still have those?

I'ts my pampered upbringing

Not sure if they do, the one nearest us is now a Netto!

Oi Jan there a Lidl, Aldi, Kwik Save and Asda where I live, must be a real dosshole

oh yeh and we've got bargain booze

I only have Waitrose and Sainsburys (and a seriously depleted bank balance!) There is an Asda about 15 mins drive, maybe I should go there. It's so big though it drives me bonkers.

What is Bargain Booze - I want that too!

How dare you include Asda in with that riff raff?

(I am going to log off now as I have been on this site all day and am beginning to get on my own nerves...note to Mumsnet: will subscribe next pay day honest).

DP refuses to go in an Asda so good thing there is not one near us - he is quite good at spending and knows only to go to Waitrose when have to as is soooo much more expensive - I really like Sainsbury's and another one beginning with S (damn cannot remember name_ has opened near us) and that is ok!!

My fave is sunblush tomatoes from Sainsbury's, think that is why I must have super whiffy garlic breath all of the time!!

ahem...Safeways?

(rushes off for bus, hometime!)

Thats it - Safeways - they have good fish counter (also have fishy breath!!)

Found M&S Scallops the other day - are sooo scrummy and thought about sharing with you guys when was eating them - £4.00 for a bag big enough to feed 2 (so treat) if presented on a bed of baby spinach leaves - looks impressive for starter at dinner party too - just pan fry for few minutes with lemon juice and lots of black pepper.

Shopping bills - one of the biggest bugbears of my life - can't believe I spend so much money on food, although I must admit a lot of it is what could be termed "luxuries" rather than necessities but for me and 3 children (aged 10, 6 and 20 months), I spend on average £100 a week, sometimes slightly more sometimes slightly less, but this is me doing what I call a "tight" shop.

I mostly shop at Asda although I do prefer Sainsbury but I find I always spend more in Sainsburys on the same things - bottled water, for example, in Asda which the kids take to school every day siphoned off into water tables costs (their cheap range) 19p.

I do shop once a month in Sainsburys and once a month in Tesco - I like Tesco's washing powder and stock up a months supply at a time.

I once went to Waitrose after having my hair done in a "more exclusive" hair salon (different thread ? but hair cost a bomb but didn't look any better than where I normally go). Because I was in the hairdressers so long decided to pop into Waitrose to do a small shop ? I didn't know Waitrose was part of John Lewis and always thought of it as a "cheap shop". Little did I know. Had a basket ? bought essentials like fruit, bread, milk, etc. ? no actual dinners ? and spent £60! Didn't go there again.

Ha Ha - get hair done in Bromley and normally nip into Waitrose just after - spend £40 on hair - never looks different - trying to grow it but never looks longer blah blah blah, then pop into Waitrose - cause coffee is nice and DP like certain things from there and also end up spending £60!!

Small trip then costs £100 rather than £40!!!!

Always buy 342's and BOGOF and stuff like that - have cupboards full of Robinsons High Juice and Sainsbury's Red Label Tea Bags!!! Am gonna get a new car next year when hopefully will be able to afford it (divorce settlement comes through and present car finally falls apart!!) - will get 1500 points on nectar card and can go absolutely mad in Sainbury's then!!

bumblelion,

???

My mind is boggling!