Do you choose value or branded names??

[PinkFizz]

Morning guys.If you were to try and cut down your weekly shopping bill,what items would you say you could get away with the value/basic version and what items would you feel you have to buy the named brand/quality make?

For example,I think you need to buy quality washing up liquid,but you can get away with basic flour,jam and tissues.

What do you think?

[PinkFizz]

you clean the toilet with cola?? Does it work?

[redcrx]

once a week pour flat cheap coke into loo and leave overnight.
It disolves any limescale and leaves bowl sparkling.

[steviep165]

did you know that safeway's own beans used to be made by Heinz?
i kid you not ladies.xx

[4getmenot]

No but we dont have safeways anymore :-(

[PinkFizz]

ooh,I must try that redcrx!

Yes I believe you stevie - I used to know a guy who worked at a factory where they would label all the heinz tins,then stop production,change labels and then do another batch for a different store/make but they were still the same beans.

[4getmenot]

Basically the same as when you clean jewellery. Its more powerful than cilit bang. Pop you jewellery in a cup of coke and comes out sparkling.

[crete]

kelloggs make cereal for other supermarkets nescafe make coffee for other outlets as well.

[Lore]

Morning Fizz, this is something we've been trying to do too. We used to spend far too much on the 'finer' things - which I'll admit is all my doing because basically I'm a snobby little thing!
We now plan the week ahead, buy what we need for each meal and that itself has reduced our bill, not to mention the amount we were throwing away because we just didn't get round to using it before the 'use by' date.
The one thing that hit me recently is how much you can save on fruit and veg if you only buy what you need instead of the pre packed stuff. eg. green beans.. the pack used to cost around �1.20 but buying them loose and buying just enough ..... how much? 24p!! hehe

Whiffey - the loo roll thing, it's just sick and wrong!! :o\

[natalie_1982]

I buy cheapy tinned tomatoes, dried pasta, plain pizzas (stick my own topping on), Tesco value orange juice, bleach, coleslaw, salad cream, peanut butter, eggs, scouring pads, cloths,

However, i buy branded washing liquid, washing powder, fabric conditioner, shampoo, etc. And I buy all of this stuff from Wilkinsons cos it's cheaper. Also get branded crisps, tea bags and coffee.

I buy moisturisers and make up from Boots (branded stuff) because I get points back and use them at Xmas, as well as getting coupons.

To save even more and to get loads better quality I get fruit and veg from greengrocers and meat from the butchers.




Erm, I never realised how much alike I am to my nan. Saving vouchers indeed......

[PinkFizz]

So how much cheaper is it to buy fruit and veg from a greengrocers then say the supermarket?

[natalie_1982]

Cheese has to be decent stuff. Saying that I have never tried value line cheese but I can't imagine it would be that good?

[natalie_1982]

I can get a week's worth of fruit and veg (and I do have my five a day) for me and hubby and it costs about �6-7. On average that would include something like carrots, poataoes (jackets and red skins), lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions, brown onions, red onions, garlic, red, yellow and green peppers, beetroot, broccoli, sweet potato, celery, runner beans, apples, satsumas and stir fry veggies (baby corns, beansprouts, mushrooms, etc).

[natalie_1982]

Meat is the same, I get about 3lb chicken breast, a joint of pork, two gammon steaks, 2 packs of sausages (about 8 in each pack) and 2lb minces beef for about �20-25.

Then I only have to get toiletries/ cat food (Wlikinsons) and tinned stuff / milk / sugar, etc (supermarket).

[PinkFizz]

so how many of you get your meat from a butcher and who gets it all at the supermarket??

[Lore]

That's the biggest problem in this area... there are no fruit n' veg stores or butchers .. the market leaves a lot to be desired in terms of cleanliness so I'm a bit reluctant to buy from there.

[natalie_1982]

We've ony got one left Lore, luckily it is close to where we live. I used to get all my stuff from the supermarket because there wasn't a butcher where I lived.

My dad is a baker and has had so much toruble workwise in the past 15 years because they are getting pushed out by supermarkets who pay more than the pittance my dad earns so I kind of feel I have to support the local businesses!

(Except for the milkman cos I don't like him)

[fms]

mornin pinky only me shavin stuff has to be gillette im not really bothered bout anything else
ps sorry

[PinkFizz]

I have to admit I get mine from the supermarket because I assumed that the butchers was more expensive,and also its easier to get everything in one store than walk to 3 or 4 different places.Which is lazy I know.I may seriously consider going to the nearest greengrocers this week though.And suss out the pricesat the butchers.

[natalie_1982]

*does a victory dance*

[Lore]

I'd love to buy from a real greengrocer rather than the supermarkets, they're fading fast :(
Maybe I'll move to York, a trip to the Shambles would be perfect!