Shopping online

dudette2001uk

I will be a Princess!
Hi there,

I've just started my slimming world diet, and found that I spent an absolute fortune on my shopping - mostly fruit and veg!

Would it be cheaper for me to shop online? I know the items would be no cheaper, and I wasn't tempted by unhealthy stuff, but I need to eat more cheaply than this, lol!

Any ideas on how to cut down the cost of shopping? I don't have a lot of freezer space as I lodge with my landlady, and she's used up most of the space :) It's her freezer, so can't really complain, lol! Any tips would be much appreciated!

Sian xx
 
One idea is to check where the deals are (the "where the bargains are at" section on here is quite useful. Otherwise you can go to the main superstore homepages and see what are the main deals. I know that Aldi has specials each week on fruit and veg. Another idea is to check your local markets as sometimes they are much cheaper.
 
Both Sainsbury's and Tesco are doing ridiculously low price veg at the moment. I tend to buy the veg that is on offer. Bag of carrots 30p, reduced mushrooms 25p supermarket's own cheaper pears 60p a big bag.
 
If you have shopping delivered from tesco or asda then there is normally a discount code about for a free delivery(asda) or £10.00 off your order(tesco) on a £50 spend BUT the 50.00 is b4 savings and discounts ;) if u know what i mean, so u can sometimes get ya shopping down to £30.00 with all the discounts and bogof. hope that helps u xx
 
Vegetable costs are very different over here in the USA, and, like you, this week we spent a FORTUNE on fresh produce. Someone else already said that frozen veg is a great way to save money and stock up, I always keep frozen corn, green beans, peas and sometimes broccoli on hand--brilliant for adding to a pasta or rice dish. If you have a farmers market near you that's an excellent way of stocking up on fresh fruit and veg without breaking the bank. We're really lucky, we have four local ones on different days of the week--am planning to go on Sundays, just before they pack up as I'm told you get fabulous bargains because the sellers are looking to get rid of as much produce as they can.
 
I buy my groceries online every two weeks from either Tesco or Sainsburys (Asda don't deliver in my area). I plan all my dinners out for the two weeks and buy accordingly. I find that I spend a lot less that way, as I am not tempted by things I don't need. I then top up on fruit and veg a couple of times between deliveries, and tend to buy what's on offer in Tesco or go to Lidl if I have time.
I found that I spent quite a bit at the start buying things I didn't have in like spices and things, but now I have them, they last ages, so things have evened out again.
 
We were talking about this a few weeks ago and I posted some hints and tips that are probably worth repeating.



There are some basic good household practices will help keep the costs down:
  • plan your meals for the week, make a shopping list and get only for the ingredients you need to make them
  • start by looking at what you have in the cupboard/freezer already and choose meal options that will use them up
  • cook your meals from scratch as pre-prepared sauces will be more expensive and you'll know exactly what has gone into them
  • plan to use leftovers for other meals or for lunch the next day eg if you are cooking rice for dinner one day, make extra, throw in some leftover veggies and a fat-free dressing and you have lunch for day two
  • cook one meal for the whole family not different ones
  • seasonal fruit and veg is always cheaper so plan your meals around what it available
  • take advantage of special offers - most supermarkets do cut price fruit and veg each week - and shop around to get the best prices. Check out offers and prices on comparison websites.
  • try out the 'discount' supermarkets like lidl or aldi. Not everything is cheaper but many things are such as tinned tomatoes, pulses etc
  • check out local shops such as greengrocers and butchers because supermarkets are not always the cheapest option
  • frozen fruit and veg can be cheaper than fresh and a good alternative
  • go green rather than red as meat is more expensive
  • if doing EE then bulk out your meals with cheaper ingredients such as pulses, lentils, meat-free mince so you use less meat
  • if buying meat go for cheaper cuts and invest in a slow cooker. Or buy joints and whole chickens that can be used across several meals rather than packs of chicken breasts
  • beans, lentils and pulses are all good sources of protein and much cheaper than fish and meat
  • batch cook meals taking advantage of special offers and freeze portions so they are ready for use
  • go for shop own-brands rather than premium brands as they are usually just as good and a lot cheaper
  • you don't have to buy mullerlights. There are several supermarket versions that are also syn free or other brands that are on special offer such as activia or shape zero
  • know where your supermarket puts the things that are nearly out-of-date. You can sometimes pick up bargains on things like meats
  • if you have storage then big bags of staples like pasta and rice can save money in the long-term
  • invest in a water filter rather than buy expensive bottled water
  • have breakfast at home so you're not tempted to eat on the go
  • if you and/or your husband work, take lunch with you rather than buying out
  • make your own versions of favourite family takeaway meals - save on the £s and the lbs
  • and don't shop when you are hungry!
 
If your tempted by unhealthy stuff then online may help....do you have a localish farm shop? that can cut down cost
I make a detailed shopping list when I plan my weeks menu's and only buy from that ..... exception would be if any longlife SW staples are on offer and I stock up.
Maybe only buy for a few days at a time too to cut down on any waste.
Good luck
x
 
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