We live in an apartment above commercial so shopping here is easy. Down in the lift to our ‘larder’ (Sainsbury’s). Also in the square is a new Aldi, Boots, Quality Save and Iceland. Other shops are independents. A nice mix really and very handy.
I write a small list most days. We don’t have a freezer, no need. We shop by deciding each day what we fancy. Himself is in his element down there and has become a canny shopper! Today - Aldi strawberries from Fife were 70p cheaper (and looked nicer) than the Spanish ones in Sainsbury’s. Milk was 25p cheaper and a bag of frozen peas 80p cheaper! So a saving of almost £2 today alone.
He says prices have soared recently post-pandemic. He notices all the prices now as he shops so regularly. He says marketing ploys are very clever these days. One food item was a whole £1 dearer yesterday in Sainsbury’s yet was then promoted as an ‘offer’ with 50p off the price - doubtless to be returned to the new ‘normal’ expensive price on Monday!
He said our jar of freeze dried coffee had gone up by a whopping £1.50 so he nipped into Iceland to buy it. There are such huge differences in prices these days it pays (if time and location allow) to shop around.
What about your grocery shop? Are you on-line ordering? Local farm shops (lucky you) or buy in bulk for toiletries at Costco? What trends are you noticing?
My Tesco Delivery Saver has just been renewed, I didn’t know that you could use the vouchers to pay for it, I must remember for the next time. Thank you V3ra
You may well know this, V3ra, and perhaps you and your other half travel separately, but you can also get a Two Together railcard for £10 worth of vouchers, and that gets two of you the discounted travel, if you’re both making the same journey.
I do a Sainsbury's on line shop once a week and use the little market in the pub car park on Mondays. It started during lock down and has continued and, hopefully, stays and stays.
We have a fish van once a week, in a different pub car park, but he is very expensive so I only buy fish there occasionally.
We also have a co-op in the village as do lots of the villages around.
I use the butcher in the next village - he buys his meat locally and we get eggs from the egg farm when we are passing.
We have lots of farmshops around but we have to use the car to go to those.
Our nearby town has 2 Tescos, a Sainsburys, Lidl, 2 Aldis, Iceland, Morrisons and an M&S food Hall. There are also countless delis. And a nearby village has a small Waitrose.
I worry how many of those shops will survive.
We have a Sainsbury’s delivery once a week - £60 a year delivery charge (any day). I find I buy less if I don’t go in the shop and it’s good to have heavier items delivered. I top up with fresh fruit and veg during the week as needed - I don’t buy these from our market as I try to buy organic. As we’re vegetarian, I like the fruit and veg to be untreated and good quality. We grow some on our allotment too.
Being 7 miles from nearest supermarket and a 30 min walk to the nearest bus stop with buses only going to the town twice a day, I'm totally reliant on my on-line shop with Sainsbury's and every three weeks I do a visit to Morrisons for dog food plus other tops up and then pick up MrMuse medication from the doctors who are in the same town. Sainsbury's delivery is £40 for mid week hourly slot.
I'm canny in that I grow a good array of veg and fruit. Picked beetroot, sugar snap peas, lettuces and strawberries yesterday. MrMuse barters his skills with his friends. Just repaired a strimmer in exchange for 6 venison burgers.
In emergencies, I'd drive to the nearest village where there is a spar.
We have a village shop a mile from us,but otherwise It is a 12 mile, sometimes + round trip for supermarkets etc. . It would be useful to live nearer but, having lived in both, I would never exchange our country life for a town one even though we are now getting 'mature'!! The views are superb,and the peace and quiet therapeutic. We grow a lot of our own veg and fruit, which we freeze. Each to his own I guess.
Our "corner shop" is a Waitrose so not brilliant for saving money. I'm always popping in, but I always see someone I know. It's an important part of my social life! We do use Aldi too, and enjoyed a trip to a Lidl when we were on holiday recently.
There is a Co-op within walking distance but it's not noticeably cheaper than Waitrose unless you go late in the evening when they mark down all the bread. I rarely pay more than 19p for a loaf.
Has anyone noticed, in certain shops, they ask if you want your receipt? I always have mine, how on earth can you check you haven't been overcharged, without a receipt? And yes, I have been over-charged a few times, and without the receipt I could not challenge it, or even be aware of it. So I would certainly advise you to always take your receipt, and check it carefully!!
We also keep Bees! Our daughter and her partner run a honey based business. As well as honey she produces all sorts of ancillary products, for equines, canines, as well as humans. We have a couple of hives so feel quite involved.
Maggiemaybe
You may well know this, V3ra, and perhaps you and your other half travel separately, but you can also get a Two Together railcard for £10 worth of vouchers, and that gets two of you the discounted travel, if you’re both making the same journey.
Yes that's an even better deal! We don't always travel together so we each had the Seniors one for £10 in vouchers.
We saved the cost on our trip last weekend anyway, then we're both going again next weekend and I'm going in September so we'll get good value out of them ?
BridgetPark
Has anyone noticed, in certain shops, they ask if you want your receipt? I always have mine, how on earth can you check you haven't been overcharged, without a receipt? And yes, I have been over-charged a few times, and without the receipt I could not challenge it, or even be aware of it. So I would certainly advise you to always take your receipt, and check it carefully!!
My local Aldi are terrible for this. At least 2/3 of the time, I've been over charged. The managers are the worst for it. I'm not sure if they're encouraged to avoid discounting food (reduced perishable goods)? But they frequently don't apply the discount.
A couple of nice lettuces from Tesco were price-matched with Aldi at 59p.
I heard today that two cos lettuce in an Australian supermarket were $5.90 ?
Thanks V3ra I didn’t know that about using vouchers on the delivery saver.
Tesco are price matching with Aldi on quite a lot of products now Callistemon, handy.
Jaxjacky
Thanks V3ra I didn’t know that about using vouchers on the delivery saver.
Tesco are price matching with Aldi on quite a lot of products now Callistemon, handy.
Unless something is essential or we've run out, I try to wait until it's on offer.
Jaberwok
We also keep Bees! Our daughter and her partner run a honey based business. As well as honey she produces all sorts of ancillary products, for equines, canines, as well as humans. We have a couple of hives so feel quite involved.
Your lifestyle sounds idyllic Jaberwok! Like living in Ambridge. Or The Darling Buds of May. (Loved that programme). I shall henceforth think of you as Ma Larkin!
??
I heard today that two cos lettuce in an Australian supermarket were $5.90 ?
Ouch! Calli that’s eye wateringly expensive!
Mind you, anyone else noticing how expensive ‘healthy’ fruit options are adding to the food bill these days? Not surprised those on low incomes turn to junk food like crisps and biscuits to fill up.
Unless something is essential or we've run out, I try to wait until it's on offer.
I like Lavazza coffee, to the extent that to me it is an essential, but I stock up when it's half price ☕
Last week I didn't order my favourite wine (cheap at full price anyway!) as it wasn't on the usual special offer. I can wait, but not too long... ?
Urmstongran
^I heard today that two cos lettuce in an Australian supermarket were $5.90^ ?
Ouch! Calli that’s eye wateringly expensive!
Mind you, anyone else noticing how expensive ‘healthy’ fruit options are adding to the food bill these days? Not surprised those on low incomes turn to junk food like crisps and biscuits to fill up.
Yes - Ouch!
But the farmers are not paid much for their crops.
Not quite sure how to take your comment Urm. Do I detect a note of sarcasm? I can assure you that our life isn't remotely like Ambridge, or the Darling Buds. As I said , each to his own.
We buy our bread from the local baker. Never cheap, but the loaf we like (low GI) has just gone up to £2.59!
Very expensive, but we don’t waste a scrap. And it’s so much nicer than supermarket bread. Now we’ve reached the age we are, as long as I can afford the food I really like, we will carry on having it.
GagaJo
I'm without a car now, so do the once big shop in several smaller installments. Bread and butter are the same price in Sainsbury's, which is a 2 minute walk from my house. Milk and many other staples are the same between Asda & Aldi, so I do an online Asda shop. Fruit and cat litter are cheaper at Aldi.
I also check all receipts. Aldi over charged me by 46p today.
I think shopping around is essential now, with rising prices.
I always check my receipt while standing at the till in Aldi because they overcharge me quite often!
We only have a small Tesco nearby and I have never enjoyed spending time in supermarkets so its an on line Ocado shop for us every Thursday (delivery 3.99 a month). They are now having lots of offers in small bulk e.g. 3 for £10 on many items so I'm clearing the freezer to stock up on basics. Most of my shopping is fruit veg and fridge items. We used to eat out a couple of times a week but that has dropped down to once a fortnight mainly to try to keep on a healthy diet - pity there is no fresh veg market nearby or fishmonger but I think I will pop to Iceland for fish.
Jaberwok
Not quite sure how to take your comment Urm. Do I detect a note of sarcasm? I can assure you that our life isn't remotely like Ambridge, or the Darling Buds. As I said , each to his own.
Oh heck.
I was being complimentary! ???
Why would I say anything mean?
I’m sorry if it came over poorly. Please accept my apologies.
Your lifestyle sounds lovely.
Jaberwok
Not quite sure how to take your comment Urm. Do I detect a note of sarcasm? I can assure you that our life isn't remotely like Ambridge, or the Darling Buds. As I said , each to his own.
When I read Urms post I thought she was totally sincere. How sad that you took her comments to be sarcasm.
No matter. A genuine mistake. ?
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