Multi-save offers on fresh food in supermarkets

I have a shopping lsit, shop to it and only buy what I want. There are so many offers in every shop all the time. I would go mad if I were to walk round the shop looking at offers and my shopping list and trying to reconcile them. Best to ignore them.

On the other side, I do not waste food or throw it away. My food caddy this week contains one lamb bone and two fish skins. The rest of the food, almost entirely vegetable trimmings, goes on the compost heap.

Most people have shopping lists M0nica it’s hardly rocket science!
As for buying things not on the list, there’s such a thing as being too inflexible, not taking advantage of in season items, offers on items you use but which you have not yet run out of and assuming you have the storage space , spare bottles of loo cleaner, washing powder capsules, dishwasher blobs or tins of tomatoes will always come in useful.
It makes sense to keep an eye open for items I regularly buy and use the offers to my own advantage.
As it happens I only ever buy dishwasher «blobs» or laundry capsules when they are on offer - it would be daft not to.

2 for 1 and 3 for 2 offers always make me think the average resulting price is the true single item price, indicating they are overpricing single items.

MawRosie It is more a mental blank. I come under the neurodverse umbrella and I think this comes under that. I am not autistic, but do like the everyday routines of life to be organised and not reuire thought.. I have a limited wardrobe of clothes, all neatly packaged into outfits. The thought of having to get up in the morning and make decisions on clothes appalls me. I could not shop without a list.

Shopping without lists is fine, as is turning down offers, but why deny them to others because you don't want them?

I no longer need large quantities of perishable food, but I can batch cook, or pass on what I don't use. I don't want to prevent young families from having bulk buy prices just because I don't benefit from them these days.

On the other side, I do not waste food or throw it away. My food caddy this week contains one lamb bone and two fish skins. The rest of the food, almost entirely vegetable trimmings, goes on the compost heap.

We used to do that but not for a few years now since there were rats around. Some gardens round here are rather wild; a compost heap makes a nice cosy nest for rodents.

I don't worry about it as our food waste is used to produce electricity for the National Grid.

Doodledog

Shopping without lists is fine, as is turning down offers, but why deny them to others because you don't want them?

I no longer need large quantities of perishable food, but I can batch cook, or pass on what I don't use. I don't want to prevent young families from having bulk buy prices just because I don't benefit from them these days.

Absolutely- just because you do not want to take advantage of multi buys, BOGOFS etc should not preclude those in greater need from enjoying their benefit.
And to answer a point upthread by Grantanow the multi buy price need bear no relation to the unit price- shifting stock is the key issue, whether as a loss leader, to deal with surplus stock or some other marketing strategy.
Retail is a lot more complex than you seem to think (and mark-ups often a lot more)

One DD makes her food list as she shops.
She adds food by due date. She reckons it makes planning the week’s menu easier.

Others may make lists if they wish, personal choice. I'm not particularly interested in lists or actually any sort of plan. Everyone is different.

I always make a list.
Then leave it home on the table.

MissAdventure

I always make a list.
Then leave it home on the table.

If I ever made lists, I'd leave said lists in draft locations.

It seems I'm better not washing my time.

I’m usually cooking for one so the 3 for £10 offers aren’t really useful, the spend £60 and get £6 off vouchers I’ve just recd, one for each week in May are pretty useless too, I may use one to stock up on dog food but that food will last roughly five weeks so that’s the only saving. The big stores don’t seem to care about savings for single people especially the older ones on a much smaller budget.

Not usually offering 3 of the same item although yoh can by 3 of the same. Supermarkets near me offer a choice of 3 different items.

SaxonGrace

I’m usually cooking for one so the 3 for £10 offers aren’t really useful, the spend £60 and get £6 off vouchers I’ve just recd, one for each week in May are pretty useless too, I may use one to stock up on dog food but that food will last roughly five weeks so that’s the only saving. The big stores don’t seem to care about savings for single people especially the older ones on a much smaller budget.

I can’t agree with any of this.
I too live alone but this week have made full use of eg «3 for £12» which includes smoked trout, salmon fillets, pork medallions, chicken fillets etc Also sausages , normally £4 each pack, any 2 mix and match, 2 for £6 into the freezer)
I also made full use of the 25% off any 6 or more bottles of wine earlier in the year . That doesn’t exactly go off does it?
Upthread somebody spoke of buying single potatoes -really?
It sounds as if some people don’t make full use of their fridges and freezers.

Totally agree. Not everyone needs bulk buys especially fresh produce! I wanted a courgette but supermaket only had bags of 3 so I did'nt bother. I have started buying more frozen frruit and veg ,for certain things now, but I totally agree. It's like houses. All builders build are 3/4/5 bedroom houses...I want a bungalow with 2 bedrooms not a hoyse for a family of 5/6+ same with food....

If an offer of 3 for 2 suits me, I buy it. If not, I don't. Simple.
I think Tesco has stopped doing those and does member prices instead.

Shops have to cater for all their buyers.
The Nisa near me had a large pizza, large pack of wedges, sweetcorn, and haagen daas icecream for £6 a couple of weeks ago.
Pretty good value for a family meal, unless you could make similar with some lentils and veg from the market.

If only there was a supermarket that didn't do this - oh! I don't know - like Aldi!

melp1

If only there was a supermarket that didn't do this - oh! I don't know - like Aldi!

How would that benefit anybody ?

It sounds like a ‘traditional’ grocer ‘s with prices no doubt to match.

But you can buy 3 of same item,if you want to, Basgetti.

I was once in the supermarket queue and the lady in front of me was buying one of something that was BOGOF. The cashier pointed it out in case the lady hadn't noticed and sent a colleague to get an extra pack. She said she couldn't use them so offered them to me. She was obviously living in a smaller household but at the time I still had my kids at home and was a single mum so I was very grateful.
Some items come up on multibuy offers regularly. They are often items that I like but are expensive at full price. If they are things I can freeze or put in the store cupboard I stock up but often fresh food would go to waste. Some things can be donated to the local food bank though. Only today I was talking to a friend who grows fresh produce in his garden. He was offering surplus plants for a charity stall we'll be running soon and said that last year he had a large surplus of some veg and had to compost some. I said if it happens again, bring them to me and I would deliver them to the food bank where I volunteer. We get donations from some people with allotments so I know they would get used even if some went to the volunteers! We also get donations from a local supermarket of food that is otherwise going to be thrown away - one of the volunteers collects it from them each week!

My annoyance is that Lidl send me discount vouchers for things I bought the previous week. How long does a packet of soft brown sugar last, or where would I store it?

Isn’t sugar a preservative? Would last ad infinitum, would have thought?

Having just returned from a Tesco shop, sat down with my mug of coffee and the receipt - I was delighted to note that all my individual items in fruit and salad had 20% off the price as I had purchased '5 or more'. Not five of any one item, five (actually more) across the board. So I got 20% discount on every item!

I am just about to do my weekly Tesco shop. I shall report back...