food prices :-(

[angela18]

why are things you would consider staple foods so expensive. Eggs free range are over 1.50 for 6 bread over a pound a loaf.. only things that seem to be cheap are things thats processed and not healthy at all.. this government say they want to tackle obesity in our kids.. they could start with lowering the prices of good healthy food

[joh71262]

I always look for the reduced chiller section. Luckily in the Tesco near where I work, it's right at the front. It means you can try things at a lower price (and in some cases I tried them and really didn't like them at all) or get a few regular items at a better price. I tend to stick with items that are freezable though, as I try to plan meals if I can.

Through the reduced section, I found that I could make a large chicken last a week - 2 roast dinners (a leg per meal) and then hacked the rest of the meat off and made Thai green curry and froze the rest for a stir fry or whatever (I live on my own by the way, so I'm not trying to feed the 5000 with a couple of chickens and a loaf !).

I find Asda cheaper than Tesco and would rather save the cash than have the points - it just means that Tesco monitor everything you buy - Big Brother really IS watching you.

[maxdebt]

Yes Asda for me too. 3 months into our IVA we made a big change in our purchasing by ‘going down a grade’ with our supermarket purchases i.e. If before we bought birds eye fishfingers then we changed that to asda’s own fishfingers or if before we bought asda’s own fishstakes then we took that down to smartprice fishstakes. I have to say it caused an uproar and partial rebellion in my house so I would think carefully before trying this! [:)] In fact I had to ‘upbrand’ back with some products (top of my head warbutons bread, kellogs cornflakes, Heinz tomato sauce) but my kids have adapted to the change and I would say we are saving about £40 - £50 from our monthly shop ( family of 6)

[Shining]

I am shoppping in several different shops, today for instance I've been to 6 different shops for my weekly shop, before I was unaware of how much anything cost, now I know how much each item costs in different shops! I'm like the Oracle at work! I went in Poundstretcher today to buy a new bath mat and get my grandson a t-shirt for easter instead of an egg and find they do food now! Wow another outlet for me and I took a mental note of all the prices! It's like a real game for me to find the cheapest prices!

[Skippy]

I was horrified at the price of fish fingers last time I bought them - I know there's a cod shortage but it's getting ridiculous! I did try own brand fish fingers, but they weren't cod and didn't taste as nice. Fish fingers do have to be Birds Eye!

I can understand how expensive it must be for you Buttercup - I eat very little dairy and get some things from the Free From range and they cost a fortune. I made the mistake of buying the cherry bakewells a while ago - they were revolting!

[dry debt rot]

Have you not thought about growing your own its so simple grows itself .Its enjoyable and takes your mind off all the debt matters ,you cant beat feeding the family fresh home grown produce .i have raised beds i got some old scaffold board nailed them together so its 12 inch from the ground and filled with soil and compost.get last seasons seeds for a quater of the price.A lettuce+radish etc will grow in 2 weeks in summer.not much room is needed between rows 6inch and pick when small more tasty and plant more.cauliflower alone cost over 1 pound .the cost outlay is at the start when you buy the seeds but with over 500 in each packet these will do you many years.
and its not over in winter because you can have your winter cabbage,leeks and parsnips etc

[marsha1]

I do my main shop once a month, after pay day. I stock up and then give myself 5.00 per week to spend on the market for fresh veg/fruit. I have started cooking stews, cottage pies,pasta dishes,hot pot and freezing in portions for one. I am saving a lot of money by doing this, but I have noticed recently that there does not seem to be the same deals as usual in Asda.

[aguise]

Hi Marsha
I tend to look online at the prices and offers and shop wherever seems the best for the stuff that I want. The one I cant use is asda as it doesnt deliver to my area. i shop between tesco and sainsburys and get odds and ends anywhere else that I know is cheaper like wilkinsons, home bargains and poundland. Once a month I go to iceland as well to stock on the freezer stuff as the have good offers.

Ang

[marsha1]

Hi Aguise, do you know I have not been to Iceland for ages, I will go on my next big shop, we have a poundland shop near work, I will pop in there as well. Thanks for the tips. My son is home on leave from rafat Easter, he will be with me for a week with his girlfriend in tow, so will need to grab bargains if I am to look ater them for a week.

[buttercup]

skippy most of the free from food is not very nice.

[aguise]

I do tend to shop online I find that you dont buy the extras you fancy when walking round the shop. But even if you dont have it delivered you can easily see whats on offer and for how long, rather than trying to scour the shelves.

Ang

[Skippy]

I love the Sainsburys Free From nut bars, chocolate cake and coconut biscuits, but I'd rather go without than eat the rest of it!

[Reviva UK]

This thread should carry a health warning.

I think I just put on 4 pounds just reading it!!

[angela18]

I seem to save money shopping when,I sent the other half. He's straight in and out with only things noted on the list!! Think this could be my plan if IVA accepted!! Can't give into chocolate temptation that way[:I]

[marsha1]

You can Angela it just has to be cheap choc, there's always the pound shop they have good choccy deals, sorry I spose thats not helping is it!!!!