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How To Reduce Your Weekly Grocery Spend By 50%

September 28, 2011 by SimplyBeingMum

At the end of June this year I conducted a Cooking From Scratch Experiment. I learnt a lot from doing it. Most of what I learnt came from you dear readers and your feedback. It made me think about how I was grocery shopping and preparing my meals, including the ingredients I was using and what I was purchasing.

The experiment concluded that by ‘Cooking From Scratch’ you can save in excess of 40% on ready-made foods, for me personally this could mean an extra £1500 plus each year (post tax) in the bank. My conclusions I have posted over at Ex-Consumer this week in the post Buying Ready-Made Foods Versus Cooking From Scratch.

I may not make any money from my blogging endeavours, but I certainly save money! Reading and writing about minimalism and leading a simple life keeps my

‘Head In The Game’.

Today I’d like to share how since conducting the experiment I have managed to reduce my weekly grocery spend by 50%. Chez Wright’s Grocery Budget was £100 a week, for the last few weeks I have managed to spend just £50.

This is how you could do it too:

  1. Challenge yourself to stick to a new reduced budget! In my case I decided to ‘go for it’ and halved my budget. I didn’t know if it was doable, it was. Reader feedback from my experiment made me question whether I was spending ‘up’ to a budget. So I decided to spend ‘down’. I had £50 and that was it, I had to choose wisely.
  2. Meal plan, meal plan, meal plan!!! I cannot emphasise this enough. Whatever your budget, you need a plan. Haphazard grocery shopping leads not only to wasted money but wasted food. If in doubt check out The Simple Guide To Meal Planning.
  3. Look at alternative ways of doing your shop to reduce cost! I have always been a fan of online grocery shopping. It’s highly convenient, it’s reduces browsing and impulse purchases and makes it very easy to stick to your list based on your meal plan. However it became apparent I was becoming complacent. For a while I’d been shopping for a few things in the high street as prices were considerably cheaper at my favourite shop Home Bargains. I started noticing that many staple items were up to 50% cheaper than I was paying online. I now use 2 hours of my time each week to physically shop. I write 4 shopping lists. One list for Home Bargains and staple items, one for the freezer shop (milk, ice-cream etc), one for the outdoor market where I buy fresh produce and one for the butchers. I’m lucky that all these are all in the same vicinity.
  4. Carry your shopping! I do drive to do my shop, and I park on a car-park. I then have to carry at least two separate loads back to the car. By carrying your shopping I guarantee you will think twice about popping that impulse purchase in your trolley! Last week I do not know how I got back from the market and butchers to the car, my arms were dropping off… and think of the calories I burnt.
  5. Reduce the amount of meat you eat! Not everyone is cut out to be vegetarian. If you can follow a non-meat diet you can indeed reduce your spend, and of course there are many other reasons for doing it, but it is deeply personal thing for everyone. I’ve never been a big meat-eater, and ensure that what meat the family do consume that it is of high quality. A simple way to reduce spend is to cut back on meat products or put less meat in your dishes. Our Sunday Roast now consists of Toad in the Hole which uses approx. 6 high quality sausages rather than a joint of meat. This is about a 60% cost saving.
  6. Think alternatives! As with switching a meat joint for sausages, think of alternatives to reduce cost. This could mean switching brands, for example I now pay 79p for 36 Breakfast Wheat Biscuits instead of over £2 for the leading brand. We haven’t compromised, the quality is comparable and they taste great. You could also compromise on the type of product. I always purchased freshly squeezed Orange Juice, and it was costing up to £5 a week. By reducing the quantity and type of OJ I buy it now costs less than £2.
  7. When it’s gone it’s gone! By Thursday now we are out of OJ most weeks. Too bad. We now wait till the next weekly grocery shop is done, no nipping out and restocking. Every time you enter a shop you will spend more money than you anticipate unless you are very disciplined. Not having an infinite supply of something makes you value it more. If the Hubby want’s the OJ to last 7 days, he needs to put a little less in his glass each morning. Aren’t I cruel? Don’t worry I’m hard on myself also, the coffee was rationed this week as I could see it was diminishing. So I drank a cup less a day – no bad thing eh?This post over at Zen Habits is worth a read.
  8. Reduce Luxuries! Certain things enter our grocery shop as luxuries, get cosy and end up being a staple item. I’ll admit that pre-summer we were easily buying and consuming 3 bottles of wine at an approx. cost of £15 a week. I had a budget of £100 and very often would find once I’d spent £80 I was done and would then wine shop. This has stopped. There is no need for us to have wine each night with dinner, particularly as I am training for a half marathon and alcohol dehydrates the body (I’m dehydrated enough!). It had become a habit. I now buy one bottle a week.
  9. Stretch what you do have! If making a spaghetti bolognese add extra tomatoes or mushrooms rather than mince to increase servings. When making Chilli use extra beans such as kidney and haricot to reduce meat content or eliminate meat altogether from the dish as I have now done. Pour a little less custard over a piece of apple pie so it goes round further, drink a little less OJ or wine, or coffee. Just a fraction less of each will make a big difference overall.
  10. Cook more from scratch! We have come back to where this post began. I’m in no doubt that by using basic ingredients rather than ready-made products that you can save money. My spaghetti bolognese sauce consists of toms, garlic,onion, stock cube, black pepper, herbs and puree, it’s cheap and I have it on good authority it’s as tasty as anything that comes out of a jar.
What could you be doing to reduce your grocery spend? Could any of the above help you to save a little more?
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Filed Under: Conscious Spending, Cooking From Scratch Cost Experiment, Life simplification, Meal Planning, Minimalism, Miscellaneous, Money Tips Tagged: food waste, frugal shopping, reducing grocery spend, save money, save money on groceries, shopping tips

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Apple says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    Brilliantly put together list Jo! Well done!

    I now have a four week menu cycle along with all the ingredients I need for each week…according to my DH it’s organised like a military canteen 🙂

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 8:59 pm

      Oh Laura that sounds amazing! Well Done! Love it!

      Reply
  2. Apple says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    Brilliantly put together list Jo! Well done!

    I now have a four week menu cycle along with all the ingredients I need for each week…according to my DH it’s organised like a military canteen 🙂

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 8:59 pm

      Oh Laura that sounds amazing! Well Done! Love it!

      Reply
  3. Apple says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    Brilliantly put together list Jo! Well done!

    I now have a four week menu cycle along with all the ingredients I need for each week…according to my DH it’s organised like a military canteen 🙂

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 8:59 pm

      Oh Laura that sounds amazing! Well Done! Love it!

      Reply
  4. Giddy Tigress says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Those a great suggestions, especially no. 7! I’m guilty as charged for running out to get something once it’s finished. 😛

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:00 pm

      It came from something I’d remembered from childhood, my Mom did a weekly shop on a Wednesday. I remember the treats being placed in the pantry, and that was the quota for the week, indulge at your peril! What you ate today you wouldn’t eat in a few days!

      Reply
  5. Giddy Tigress says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Those a great suggestions, especially no. 7! I’m guilty as charged for running out to get something once it’s finished. 😛

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:00 pm

      It came from something I’d remembered from childhood, my Mom did a weekly shop on a Wednesday. I remember the treats being placed in the pantry, and that was the quota for the week, indulge at your peril! What you ate today you wouldn’t eat in a few days!

      Reply
  6. Giddy Tigress says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Those a great suggestions, especially no. 7! I’m guilty as charged for running out to get something once it’s finished. 😛

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:00 pm

      It came from something I’d remembered from childhood, my Mom did a weekly shop on a Wednesday. I remember the treats being placed in the pantry, and that was the quota for the week, indulge at your peril! What you ate today you wouldn’t eat in a few days!

      Reply
  7. Lauren says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    This is a great list!

    I definitely agree with carrying your shopping. I live in London and don’t have a car, so I don’t have a choice about this. I do have a trolley which I love, but that limits what I can buy. If it doesn’t fit in, it can’t make it home. Simple but very effective.

    I do need to shop around more, particularly for fruit and veg which I normally buy from M&S or Waitrose as the quality is so much better than my local supermarkets. I need to make the trip to our nearest Lidl (a tube + train ride away) as I see many raves about their produce. It’s technically a free journey as it’s covered by my travelcard which I need for work, but it’s nowhere near as convenient as popping into our local M&S!

    I like the lack of plastic in your photo by the way, that’s the next area I’m trying to cut back in.

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:06 pm

      Thanks Lauren. Yes carrying your purchases is a great deterrent!

      I too have struggled with the quality of fresh produce such as fruit when buying from supermarkets, no naming and shaming, but some are better than others. I’ve heard good things about Lidl’s produce also but it’s too far out to warrant a specific visit (similar to you).

      The lack of plastic is something I’m working on. As I buy fruit and veg from the market I hand over a reusable bag and they fill it without wrapping anything (apart from mushrooms in a paper bag). I’m considering taking containers to the butchers so they don’t wrap. In fact I may try that this week… when we were in France in the Summer I was thrilled to see a section in the supermarket that was like a pick and mix of different food stuffs. I’m sure that will happen over here at some point, but haven’t seen anything like it yet. I’d love to go and grab my cereal and flour etc and have it straight to my own container.

      Reply
  8. Lauren says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    This is a great list!

    I definitely agree with carrying your shopping. I live in London and don’t have a car, so I don’t have a choice about this. I do have a trolley which I love, but that limits what I can buy. If it doesn’t fit in, it can’t make it home. Simple but very effective.

    I do need to shop around more, particularly for fruit and veg which I normally buy from M&S or Waitrose as the quality is so much better than my local supermarkets. I need to make the trip to our nearest Lidl (a tube + train ride away) as I see many raves about their produce. It’s technically a free journey as it’s covered by my travelcard which I need for work, but it’s nowhere near as convenient as popping into our local M&S!

    I like the lack of plastic in your photo by the way, that’s the next area I’m trying to cut back in.

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:06 pm

      Thanks Lauren. Yes carrying your purchases is a great deterrent!

      I too have struggled with the quality of fresh produce such as fruit when buying from supermarkets, no naming and shaming, but some are better than others. I’ve heard good things about Lidl’s produce also but it’s too far out to warrant a specific visit (similar to you).

      The lack of plastic is something I’m working on. As I buy fruit and veg from the market I hand over a reusable bag and they fill it without wrapping anything (apart from mushrooms in a paper bag). I’m considering taking containers to the butchers so they don’t wrap. In fact I may try that this week… when we were in France in the Summer I was thrilled to see a section in the supermarket that was like a pick and mix of different food stuffs. I’m sure that will happen over here at some point, but haven’t seen anything like it yet. I’d love to go and grab my cereal and flour etc and have it straight to my own container.

      Reply
  9. Lauren says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    This is a great list!

    I definitely agree with carrying your shopping. I live in London and don’t have a car, so I don’t have a choice about this. I do have a trolley which I love, but that limits what I can buy. If it doesn’t fit in, it can’t make it home. Simple but very effective.

    I do need to shop around more, particularly for fruit and veg which I normally buy from M&S or Waitrose as the quality is so much better than my local supermarkets. I need to make the trip to our nearest Lidl (a tube + train ride away) as I see many raves about their produce. It’s technically a free journey as it’s covered by my travelcard which I need for work, but it’s nowhere near as convenient as popping into our local M&S!

    I like the lack of plastic in your photo by the way, that’s the next area I’m trying to cut back in.

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:06 pm

      Thanks Lauren. Yes carrying your purchases is a great deterrent!

      I too have struggled with the quality of fresh produce such as fruit when buying from supermarkets, no naming and shaming, but some are better than others. I’ve heard good things about Lidl’s produce also but it’s too far out to warrant a specific visit (similar to you).

      The lack of plastic is something I’m working on. As I buy fruit and veg from the market I hand over a reusable bag and they fill it without wrapping anything (apart from mushrooms in a paper bag). I’m considering taking containers to the butchers so they don’t wrap. In fact I may try that this week… when we were in France in the Summer I was thrilled to see a section in the supermarket that was like a pick and mix of different food stuffs. I’m sure that will happen over here at some point, but haven’t seen anything like it yet. I’d love to go and grab my cereal and flour etc and have it straight to my own container.

      Reply
  10. Faith | Minimalist at Home says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    This is a great article, Jo. Our grocery bill continues to be a huge hurdle. As you know, we live in a combined household of 10 which obviously makes for large bills. But #7 and even #1 are probably the hardest for us. With 5 adults and one teenage driver, there are just too many people willing to run to the store and pick up things when we run out. We do menu planning but we still haven’t figured out good ways to get a balance on the right number or portions and using up leftovers. So I really enjoy your No Waste Tastes Great posts. You keep me encouraged that it’s possible and maybe one day we’ll figure it out. 🙂

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:13 pm

      Hi Faith – as with everything good habits build slowly. Perseverance is key and as long as you have the ambition it will come to fruition. No Waste Tastes Great is nearly a year old, and I am now at the point where I believe I have a handle on potential food waste – I’m sure there will be some bad weeks still to come however. Stick at it, it’ll come.

      #1 – I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I have. It has meant going without some things but I was determined to rise to the challenge. Initially I just reduced by 25% and that really wasn’t too difficult, just a few minor changes made a £25 a week saving. Every penny not spent is one saved!
      #7 – I’ve replied to Giddy Tigress above about this. I remembered that when I was growing up this was the norm in our house. I’m trying to teach my kids the same principle. To know there isn’t an abundance of everything hopefully will make them respect and value what they do have more… that’s the plan anyway 🙂

      Reply
    • WilliamB says

      October 19, 2011 at 2:21 am

      Meal planning doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can plan, say, 4-5 meals for the week and leave the other nights as swing food: leftovers, eating out, skipping (sometimes I’m just not hungry), or a pantry staple such as pasta.

      I would have a great deal of trouble planning a specific meal for a specific night, every night of the week. But by having a short list of recipes I want to make, I’m prepared. When the list of meals gets short, I add more recipes.

      Reply
      • simplybeingmum says

        October 19, 2011 at 9:54 am

        Sound advice! And also a great way to start to meal plan and see how it works for you. The staple items are key to eating right (IMO) – there’s so much you can do with a few dried and tinned items. I always keep beans, rice and toms in – and can always make a veggie chilli if I need to. Pizza and pancakes work a treat also from store cupboard essentials! Thanks for the comment WilliamB – I love reading your replies over at FG, it’s always good advice…
        ps – love the term ‘swing food’ 🙂

        Reply
        • WilliamB says

          October 19, 2011 at 11:01 am

          Thank you for the complement, ma’am!

          I should’ve added that swing meals aren’t just from the pantry. My favorite is eggs, either a European-style omelette or Japanese donburi; fried rice is good for using up bits of foods; even a bag o’ dinner is better than ordering takeaway.

          Reply
  11. Faith | Minimalist at Home says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    This is a great article, Jo. Our grocery bill continues to be a huge hurdle. As you know, we live in a combined household of 10 which obviously makes for large bills. But #7 and even #1 are probably the hardest for us. With 5 adults and one teenage driver, there are just too many people willing to run to the store and pick up things when we run out. We do menu planning but we still haven’t figured out good ways to get a balance on the right number or portions and using up leftovers. So I really enjoy your No Waste Tastes Great posts. You keep me encouraged that it’s possible and maybe one day we’ll figure it out. 🙂

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:13 pm

      Hi Faith – as with everything good habits build slowly. Perseverance is key and as long as you have the ambition it will come to fruition. No Waste Tastes Great is nearly a year old, and I am now at the point where I believe I have a handle on potential food waste – I’m sure there will be some bad weeks still to come however. Stick at it, it’ll come.

      #1 – I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I have. It has meant going without some things but I was determined to rise to the challenge. Initially I just reduced by 25% and that really wasn’t too difficult, just a few minor changes made a £25 a week saving. Every penny not spent is one saved!
      #7 – I’ve replied to Giddy Tigress above about this. I remembered that when I was growing up this was the norm in our house. I’m trying to teach my kids the same principle. To know there isn’t an abundance of everything hopefully will make them respect and value what they do have more… that’s the plan anyway 🙂

      Reply
    • WilliamB says

      October 19, 2011 at 2:21 am

      Meal planning doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can plan, say, 4-5 meals for the week and leave the other nights as swing food: leftovers, eating out, skipping (sometimes I’m just not hungry), or a pantry staple such as pasta.

      I would have a great deal of trouble planning a specific meal for a specific night, every night of the week. But by having a short list of recipes I want to make, I’m prepared. When the list of meals gets short, I add more recipes.

      Reply
      • simplybeingmum says

        October 19, 2011 at 9:54 am

        Sound advice! And also a great way to start to meal plan and see how it works for you. The staple items are key to eating right (IMO) – there’s so much you can do with a few dried and tinned items. I always keep beans, rice and toms in – and can always make a veggie chilli if I need to. Pizza and pancakes work a treat also from store cupboard essentials! Thanks for the comment WilliamB – I love reading your replies over at FG, it’s always good advice…
        ps – love the term ‘swing food’ 🙂

        Reply
        • WilliamB says

          October 19, 2011 at 11:01 am

          Thank you for the complement, ma’am!

          I should’ve added that swing meals aren’t just from the pantry. My favorite is eggs, either a European-style omelette or Japanese donburi; fried rice is good for using up bits of foods; even a bag o’ dinner is better than ordering takeaway.

          Reply
  12. Faith | Minimalist at Home says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    This is a great article, Jo. Our grocery bill continues to be a huge hurdle. As you know, we live in a combined household of 10 which obviously makes for large bills. But #7 and even #1 are probably the hardest for us. With 5 adults and one teenage driver, there are just too many people willing to run to the store and pick up things when we run out. We do menu planning but we still haven’t figured out good ways to get a balance on the right number or portions and using up leftovers. So I really enjoy your No Waste Tastes Great posts. You keep me encouraged that it’s possible and maybe one day we’ll figure it out. 🙂

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:13 pm

      Hi Faith – as with everything good habits build slowly. Perseverance is key and as long as you have the ambition it will come to fruition. No Waste Tastes Great is nearly a year old, and I am now at the point where I believe I have a handle on potential food waste – I’m sure there will be some bad weeks still to come however. Stick at it, it’ll come.

      #1 – I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I have. It has meant going without some things but I was determined to rise to the challenge. Initially I just reduced by 25% and that really wasn’t too difficult, just a few minor changes made a £25 a week saving. Every penny not spent is one saved!
      #7 – I’ve replied to Giddy Tigress above about this. I remembered that when I was growing up this was the norm in our house. I’m trying to teach my kids the same principle. To know there isn’t an abundance of everything hopefully will make them respect and value what they do have more… that’s the plan anyway 🙂

      Reply
    • WilliamB says

      October 19, 2011 at 2:21 am

      Meal planning doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can plan, say, 4-5 meals for the week and leave the other nights as swing food: leftovers, eating out, skipping (sometimes I’m just not hungry), or a pantry staple such as pasta.

      I would have a great deal of trouble planning a specific meal for a specific night, every night of the week. But by having a short list of recipes I want to make, I’m prepared. When the list of meals gets short, I add more recipes.

      Reply
      • simplybeingmum says

        October 19, 2011 at 9:54 am

        Sound advice! And also a great way to start to meal plan and see how it works for you. The staple items are key to eating right (IMO) – there’s so much you can do with a few dried and tinned items. I always keep beans, rice and toms in – and can always make a veggie chilli if I need to. Pizza and pancakes work a treat also from store cupboard essentials! Thanks for the comment WilliamB – I love reading your replies over at FG, it’s always good advice…
        ps – love the term ‘swing food’ 🙂

        Reply
        • WilliamB says

          October 19, 2011 at 11:01 am

          Thank you for the complement, ma’am!

          I should’ve added that swing meals aren’t just from the pantry. My favorite is eggs, either a European-style omelette or Japanese donburi; fried rice is good for using up bits of foods; even a bag o’ dinner is better than ordering takeaway.

          Reply
  13. Rachel Jonat (@racheljonat) says

    September 28, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Great list here! Though I am a bit sad (just for me) that you have given up the online shopping just as I have started it. That is a remarkable amount that you are saving!
    We don’t have a car but even if we did I couldn’t do a weeks shopping at once. The little fridge in our flat is just too small for 7 days of food. So even with delivery I do a second shop later in the week. I’ve mostly been going to M&S because it is convenient. Convenient but very expensive.
    I’d also love to stop buying veg and fruit that are packaged – but can’t seem to find them loose here.
    Agree with Faith on #7 – when it’s gone it really is gone! I’m trying to limit the ‘pick up a few things’ because we are out of one item. I always end up buying things we don’t really need and, really, we can get by for a few days without yogourt, etc.

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:22 pm

      Never Say Never! I do love online shopping as it means I do not have to enter a shop…. however I had to give it a shot, I had a feeling that maybe I was paying for the convenience. It’s highly likely I will do a comparison with online and see whether I can bring my spend in at £50 by shopping on the internet. Intrigued to see whether the good habits I’ve picked up whilst physically shopping translate to online.

      My Fridge is classed small, but your’s sounds tiny. I can see how that would make it difficult for you not to do a second shop. I found that I did have to pop out and grab milk. One such visit to a supermarket resulted in a £1.59 bottle of milk turning into a £40 spend. Lesson learnt. I now keep UHT milk in the cupboard for emergencies and also have located a shop nearby that sells milk at £1.10 for 4pints – and that’s all I buy, I take the exact change.

      Loose produce is hard to find if you don’t buy from a market or farm shop, and even then they’ll have packaged items. Supermarkets love their plastic.

      #7 – It’s amazing what you can manage without when you need to. It’s just we have everything available to us 24/7. Take tonight for example we are out of chocolate, and I really fancy something nice. Then Eureka I have some left over rice pud. That’ll do… better than nothing and uses something up!

      Hope all going well with you! Did you get the Sun yesterday/today?

      Reply
      • Apple says

        September 28, 2011 at 11:29 pm

        Once my DH popped out for milk, and arrived home with a milk and a mivrowave… impulse shopping or what!?

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          September 29, 2011 at 5:48 pm

          I’ve heard of women (honestly) who don’t allow their other halves to carry cash for this very reason! Although the anecdotes I’ve heard have been more to do with sausage rolls, chocolate and newspapers as impulse purchases!! 🙂

          Reply
    • Apple says

      September 28, 2011 at 11:25 pm

      You’re not alone Rachel. To me, M&S ready made foods are extremey tempting …I can easily forget about minimalism, healthy eating and frugality in a M&S foodhall. 🙂

      Reply
      • Rachel Jonat (@racheljonat) says

        September 29, 2011 at 10:51 am

        They do have some really nice things at the M&S. I tend to do a lot of browsing there. I know it’s the same old Italian spice mix I can get cheap in bulk but they package it so nicely!
        I picked up a few of their ready made meals for Chris for when Henry and I were away. Not cheap but they looked as close to ‘real’ food as you can get for prepackaged.
        Nice to hear I’m not the only one that’s tempted there 🙂

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          September 29, 2011 at 5:46 pm

          Fortunately there are no conveniently placed M&S near me, and as I don’t ‘shop’ I rarely visit a town centre… It did use to cause a few temptations driving back from London in my old career days as there was a lovely “M&S Simply Food” just on the side of the motorway at the exact moment I got hungry!

          Reply
  14. Rachel Jonat (@racheljonat) says

    September 28, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Great list here! Though I am a bit sad (just for me) that you have given up the online shopping just as I have started it. That is a remarkable amount that you are saving!
    We don’t have a car but even if we did I couldn’t do a weeks shopping at once. The little fridge in our flat is just too small for 7 days of food. So even with delivery I do a second shop later in the week. I’ve mostly been going to M&S because it is convenient. Convenient but very expensive.
    I’d also love to stop buying veg and fruit that are packaged – but can’t seem to find them loose here.
    Agree with Faith on #7 – when it’s gone it really is gone! I’m trying to limit the ‘pick up a few things’ because we are out of one item. I always end up buying things we don’t really need and, really, we can get by for a few days without yogourt, etc.

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:22 pm

      Never Say Never! I do love online shopping as it means I do not have to enter a shop…. however I had to give it a shot, I had a feeling that maybe I was paying for the convenience. It’s highly likely I will do a comparison with online and see whether I can bring my spend in at £50 by shopping on the internet. Intrigued to see whether the good habits I’ve picked up whilst physically shopping translate to online.

      My Fridge is classed small, but your’s sounds tiny. I can see how that would make it difficult for you not to do a second shop. I found that I did have to pop out and grab milk. One such visit to a supermarket resulted in a £1.59 bottle of milk turning into a £40 spend. Lesson learnt. I now keep UHT milk in the cupboard for emergencies and also have located a shop nearby that sells milk at £1.10 for 4pints – and that’s all I buy, I take the exact change.

      Loose produce is hard to find if you don’t buy from a market or farm shop, and even then they’ll have packaged items. Supermarkets love their plastic.

      #7 – It’s amazing what you can manage without when you need to. It’s just we have everything available to us 24/7. Take tonight for example we are out of chocolate, and I really fancy something nice. Then Eureka I have some left over rice pud. That’ll do… better than nothing and uses something up!

      Hope all going well with you! Did you get the Sun yesterday/today?

      Reply
      • Apple says

        September 28, 2011 at 11:29 pm

        Once my DH popped out for milk, and arrived home with a milk and a mivrowave… impulse shopping or what!?

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          September 29, 2011 at 5:48 pm

          I’ve heard of women (honestly) who don’t allow their other halves to carry cash for this very reason! Although the anecdotes I’ve heard have been more to do with sausage rolls, chocolate and newspapers as impulse purchases!! 🙂

          Reply
    • Apple says

      September 28, 2011 at 11:25 pm

      You’re not alone Rachel. To me, M&S ready made foods are extremey tempting …I can easily forget about minimalism, healthy eating and frugality in a M&S foodhall. 🙂

      Reply
      • Rachel Jonat (@racheljonat) says

        September 29, 2011 at 10:51 am

        They do have some really nice things at the M&S. I tend to do a lot of browsing there. I know it’s the same old Italian spice mix I can get cheap in bulk but they package it so nicely!
        I picked up a few of their ready made meals for Chris for when Henry and I were away. Not cheap but they looked as close to ‘real’ food as you can get for prepackaged.
        Nice to hear I’m not the only one that’s tempted there 🙂

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          September 29, 2011 at 5:46 pm

          Fortunately there are no conveniently placed M&S near me, and as I don’t ‘shop’ I rarely visit a town centre… It did use to cause a few temptations driving back from London in my old career days as there was a lovely “M&S Simply Food” just on the side of the motorway at the exact moment I got hungry!

          Reply
  15. Rachel Jonat (@racheljonat) says

    September 28, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Great list here! Though I am a bit sad (just for me) that you have given up the online shopping just as I have started it. That is a remarkable amount that you are saving!
    We don’t have a car but even if we did I couldn’t do a weeks shopping at once. The little fridge in our flat is just too small for 7 days of food. So even with delivery I do a second shop later in the week. I’ve mostly been going to M&S because it is convenient. Convenient but very expensive.
    I’d also love to stop buying veg and fruit that are packaged – but can’t seem to find them loose here.
    Agree with Faith on #7 – when it’s gone it really is gone! I’m trying to limit the ‘pick up a few things’ because we are out of one item. I always end up buying things we don’t really need and, really, we can get by for a few days without yogourt, etc.

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:22 pm

      Never Say Never! I do love online shopping as it means I do not have to enter a shop…. however I had to give it a shot, I had a feeling that maybe I was paying for the convenience. It’s highly likely I will do a comparison with online and see whether I can bring my spend in at £50 by shopping on the internet. Intrigued to see whether the good habits I’ve picked up whilst physically shopping translate to online.

      My Fridge is classed small, but your’s sounds tiny. I can see how that would make it difficult for you not to do a second shop. I found that I did have to pop out and grab milk. One such visit to a supermarket resulted in a £1.59 bottle of milk turning into a £40 spend. Lesson learnt. I now keep UHT milk in the cupboard for emergencies and also have located a shop nearby that sells milk at £1.10 for 4pints – and that’s all I buy, I take the exact change.

      Loose produce is hard to find if you don’t buy from a market or farm shop, and even then they’ll have packaged items. Supermarkets love their plastic.

      #7 – It’s amazing what you can manage without when you need to. It’s just we have everything available to us 24/7. Take tonight for example we are out of chocolate, and I really fancy something nice. Then Eureka I have some left over rice pud. That’ll do… better than nothing and uses something up!

      Hope all going well with you! Did you get the Sun yesterday/today?

      Reply
      • Apple says

        September 28, 2011 at 11:29 pm

        Once my DH popped out for milk, and arrived home with a milk and a mivrowave… impulse shopping or what!?

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          September 29, 2011 at 5:48 pm

          I’ve heard of women (honestly) who don’t allow their other halves to carry cash for this very reason! Although the anecdotes I’ve heard have been more to do with sausage rolls, chocolate and newspapers as impulse purchases!! 🙂

          Reply
    • Apple says

      September 28, 2011 at 11:25 pm

      You’re not alone Rachel. To me, M&S ready made foods are extremey tempting …I can easily forget about minimalism, healthy eating and frugality in a M&S foodhall. 🙂

      Reply
      • Rachel Jonat (@racheljonat) says

        September 29, 2011 at 10:51 am

        They do have some really nice things at the M&S. I tend to do a lot of browsing there. I know it’s the same old Italian spice mix I can get cheap in bulk but they package it so nicely!
        I picked up a few of their ready made meals for Chris for when Henry and I were away. Not cheap but they looked as close to ‘real’ food as you can get for prepackaged.
        Nice to hear I’m not the only one that’s tempted there 🙂

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          September 29, 2011 at 5:46 pm

          Fortunately there are no conveniently placed M&S near me, and as I don’t ‘shop’ I rarely visit a town centre… It did use to cause a few temptations driving back from London in my old career days as there was a lovely “M&S Simply Food” just on the side of the motorway at the exact moment I got hungry!

          Reply
  16. sharron says

    October 2, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    What a fantastic post Jo!! We operate a when it’s gone it’s gone policy, bit controversal at first but once everyone adjusted it was fine. I mostly shop at 4 shops too, Home bargains, Aldi, iceland then into tesco for my brands i can’t get anywhere else like washing powder and cat food (why do i have the fussiest cats ever?!). I do however resort to online shopping when i’m pushed for time, like this week 🙁

    Good point about stretching out i’d forgotten about that one 🙂 Where do you get your weetabix from the cheapest i can get is £1.79 for 36?

    Sharron x

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      October 3, 2011 at 7:14 am

      Oh Sharron! A Home Bargains Shopper too! Yay!!!! Okay here’s the good news… the wheat biscuits are from….. Home Bargains… They are in a yellow box and are called ‘Sunny Bisk’. My daughter loves them. The only thing I’d say is I recommended them to my Mom and she didn’t like them, and I really couldn’t work out what was not to like – the only difference is (IMO) is the corners aren’t rounded? Perhaps I’ve missed something? There are some other good buys in HB. The Oxo Stock Cubes are half the price of elsewhere.
      I’m going to have to check out Aldi again. I’ve tried it a couple of times and didn’t get on very well, but everyone keeps recommending the store. I may do it this week and see what happens.
      I’ve been testing cheaper washing powders to see if I can find one that works well – I’m working my way through the options at Home Bargains. I’ve also tested a home-made one which actually wasn’t too bad, but didn’t quite get all the tomato juice out of my crisp white vest top that for some reason I chose to wear when I was halving my ripe cherry tomatoes – what a mistake that was!

      Reply
      • sharron says

        October 3, 2011 at 6:33 pm

        Sunny bix now on my list!!!

        The first couple of times i tried Aldi i wasn’t sure, i thought it would be like netto but the quality is way better. The thing i like are as follows

        Cereal- Fantastic, no complaints ever
        Jams, beautiful
        Bread- they sell warburtons 🙂
        Pan au chocolate-beautiful
        Pasta, tom puree, rice, add to wok noodles, tinned toms- All good
        Fruit n veg, great price but always dig to the bottom for the freshest
        Meat is exceptional, £4.99 for a free range chicken!!, bacon, pork chops, minced beef all good.
        Pure juice, can’t tell the difference, diet lemonade, nicer than leading brand
        Wine, needs no introduction fab!!

        The baddies….
        Tea and coffee, yuck
        washing powder, didn’t like it
        Softner, same
        Yoghourts, don’t like any of them
        Frozen fish and meat, don’t like, too processed
        Cat and dog food, 4 little noses turned up 🙁
        Loo roll, chaper at home bargains
        diluted juice, kids hated it.

        They also do a great anti-wrinkle cream for £1.99, which is just as good as leading brands!!

        Hope some of that will be useful!!!!
        Sharron x

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          October 4, 2011 at 4:53 pm

          Okay I’m sold… I’m going to do as much of my shop as possible at Aldi on Friday and will report back. I’ve heard from a friend how good the OJ is before. The free range chicken is a major plus for me, as this is something that I can struggle to find at a sensible price. And the wine – well as you say it needs no introduction.

          I forgot to give a shout out to the Home Bargains Bog Roll haha!! Sorry couldn’t resist! 🙂
          I love love love it! At £2 for 9 rolls I was expecting some seriously dodgy loo roll and I was so fantastically surprised. It’s great! Seriously good!
          A friend came to visit the other day who has 9 other family members at home, I sent a roll back to do an ‘Tinkle Test’. I told her to put it in the loo at home and see whether anyone commented on the quality.

          Thanks Sharron for your comment, it’s inspired me not only to try something new but also has given me a few ideas for future posts! Thanks again!

          ps – that anti-wrinkle cream is going on the list… since I lost the hair I’m a little more exposed!

          Reply
        • sharron says

          October 4, 2011 at 8:51 pm

          I thought you looked different on your picture, fab hair do 🙂
          The free range eggs are 99p for six aswell, tesco they are £1.60 ish?
          The loo roll i’ve been buying for a while, when the kids started using it they asked if i’d won the lottery, as we always bought value 🙂 It also has a nice smell too it !!

          The robinsons juice in home bargains is 59p £1 ish everwhere else
          Ya know i could go on forever!! But i won’t 🙂
          Sharron x

          @Sharron from Jo – I can’t reply again so adding on here!
          The eggs are fab and they are large ones (I even told a woman in a supermarket who was looking at a £1.59 box how much cheaper they were in HB down the road, I also did that in the chemist, a young girl was looking at false eyelashes and you can get two pairs for £1.99 in HB). I notice you put 99p for the eggs, they are 89p at my HB. I do wonder whether they change prices in HB based on demand though… There were two steam puds that were £1.59 everywhere else, and in HB they were 69p – then they jumped to 99p. Hmmmm will keep an eye on that!

          Reply
  17. sharron says

    October 2, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    What a fantastic post Jo!! We operate a when it’s gone it’s gone policy, bit controversal at first but once everyone adjusted it was fine. I mostly shop at 4 shops too, Home bargains, Aldi, iceland then into tesco for my brands i can’t get anywhere else like washing powder and cat food (why do i have the fussiest cats ever?!). I do however resort to online shopping when i’m pushed for time, like this week 🙁

    Good point about stretching out i’d forgotten about that one 🙂 Where do you get your weetabix from the cheapest i can get is £1.79 for 36?

    Sharron x

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      October 3, 2011 at 7:14 am

      Oh Sharron! A Home Bargains Shopper too! Yay!!!! Okay here’s the good news… the wheat biscuits are from….. Home Bargains… They are in a yellow box and are called ‘Sunny Bisk’. My daughter loves them. The only thing I’d say is I recommended them to my Mom and she didn’t like them, and I really couldn’t work out what was not to like – the only difference is (IMO) is the corners aren’t rounded? Perhaps I’ve missed something? There are some other good buys in HB. The Oxo Stock Cubes are half the price of elsewhere.
      I’m going to have to check out Aldi again. I’ve tried it a couple of times and didn’t get on very well, but everyone keeps recommending the store. I may do it this week and see what happens.
      I’ve been testing cheaper washing powders to see if I can find one that works well – I’m working my way through the options at Home Bargains. I’ve also tested a home-made one which actually wasn’t too bad, but didn’t quite get all the tomato juice out of my crisp white vest top that for some reason I chose to wear when I was halving my ripe cherry tomatoes – what a mistake that was!

      Reply
      • sharron says

        October 3, 2011 at 6:33 pm

        Sunny bix now on my list!!!

        The first couple of times i tried Aldi i wasn’t sure, i thought it would be like netto but the quality is way better. The thing i like are as follows

        Cereal- Fantastic, no complaints ever
        Jams, beautiful
        Bread- they sell warburtons 🙂
        Pan au chocolate-beautiful
        Pasta, tom puree, rice, add to wok noodles, tinned toms- All good
        Fruit n veg, great price but always dig to the bottom for the freshest
        Meat is exceptional, £4.99 for a free range chicken!!, bacon, pork chops, minced beef all good.
        Pure juice, can’t tell the difference, diet lemonade, nicer than leading brand
        Wine, needs no introduction fab!!

        The baddies….
        Tea and coffee, yuck
        washing powder, didn’t like it
        Softner, same
        Yoghourts, don’t like any of them
        Frozen fish and meat, don’t like, too processed
        Cat and dog food, 4 little noses turned up 🙁
        Loo roll, chaper at home bargains
        diluted juice, kids hated it.

        They also do a great anti-wrinkle cream for £1.99, which is just as good as leading brands!!

        Hope some of that will be useful!!!!
        Sharron x

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          October 4, 2011 at 4:53 pm

          Okay I’m sold… I’m going to do as much of my shop as possible at Aldi on Friday and will report back. I’ve heard from a friend how good the OJ is before. The free range chicken is a major plus for me, as this is something that I can struggle to find at a sensible price. And the wine – well as you say it needs no introduction.

          I forgot to give a shout out to the Home Bargains Bog Roll haha!! Sorry couldn’t resist! 🙂
          I love love love it! At £2 for 9 rolls I was expecting some seriously dodgy loo roll and I was so fantastically surprised. It’s great! Seriously good!
          A friend came to visit the other day who has 9 other family members at home, I sent a roll back to do an ‘Tinkle Test’. I told her to put it in the loo at home and see whether anyone commented on the quality.

          Thanks Sharron for your comment, it’s inspired me not only to try something new but also has given me a few ideas for future posts! Thanks again!

          ps – that anti-wrinkle cream is going on the list… since I lost the hair I’m a little more exposed!

          Reply
        • sharron says

          October 4, 2011 at 8:51 pm

          I thought you looked different on your picture, fab hair do 🙂
          The free range eggs are 99p for six aswell, tesco they are £1.60 ish?
          The loo roll i’ve been buying for a while, when the kids started using it they asked if i’d won the lottery, as we always bought value 🙂 It also has a nice smell too it !!

          The robinsons juice in home bargains is 59p £1 ish everwhere else
          Ya know i could go on forever!! But i won’t 🙂
          Sharron x

          @Sharron from Jo – I can’t reply again so adding on here!
          The eggs are fab and they are large ones (I even told a woman in a supermarket who was looking at a £1.59 box how much cheaper they were in HB down the road, I also did that in the chemist, a young girl was looking at false eyelashes and you can get two pairs for £1.99 in HB). I notice you put 99p for the eggs, they are 89p at my HB. I do wonder whether they change prices in HB based on demand though… There were two steam puds that were £1.59 everywhere else, and in HB they were 69p – then they jumped to 99p. Hmmmm will keep an eye on that!

          Reply
  18. sharron says

    October 2, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    What a fantastic post Jo!! We operate a when it’s gone it’s gone policy, bit controversal at first but once everyone adjusted it was fine. I mostly shop at 4 shops too, Home bargains, Aldi, iceland then into tesco for my brands i can’t get anywhere else like washing powder and cat food (why do i have the fussiest cats ever?!). I do however resort to online shopping when i’m pushed for time, like this week 🙁

    Good point about stretching out i’d forgotten about that one 🙂 Where do you get your weetabix from the cheapest i can get is £1.79 for 36?

    Sharron x

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      October 3, 2011 at 7:14 am

      Oh Sharron! A Home Bargains Shopper too! Yay!!!! Okay here’s the good news… the wheat biscuits are from….. Home Bargains… They are in a yellow box and are called ‘Sunny Bisk’. My daughter loves them. The only thing I’d say is I recommended them to my Mom and she didn’t like them, and I really couldn’t work out what was not to like – the only difference is (IMO) is the corners aren’t rounded? Perhaps I’ve missed something? There are some other good buys in HB. The Oxo Stock Cubes are half the price of elsewhere.
      I’m going to have to check out Aldi again. I’ve tried it a couple of times and didn’t get on very well, but everyone keeps recommending the store. I may do it this week and see what happens.
      I’ve been testing cheaper washing powders to see if I can find one that works well – I’m working my way through the options at Home Bargains. I’ve also tested a home-made one which actually wasn’t too bad, but didn’t quite get all the tomato juice out of my crisp white vest top that for some reason I chose to wear when I was halving my ripe cherry tomatoes – what a mistake that was!

      Reply
      • sharron says

        October 3, 2011 at 6:33 pm

        Sunny bix now on my list!!!

        The first couple of times i tried Aldi i wasn’t sure, i thought it would be like netto but the quality is way better. The thing i like are as follows

        Cereal- Fantastic, no complaints ever
        Jams, beautiful
        Bread- they sell warburtons 🙂
        Pan au chocolate-beautiful
        Pasta, tom puree, rice, add to wok noodles, tinned toms- All good
        Fruit n veg, great price but always dig to the bottom for the freshest
        Meat is exceptional, £4.99 for a free range chicken!!, bacon, pork chops, minced beef all good.
        Pure juice, can’t tell the difference, diet lemonade, nicer than leading brand
        Wine, needs no introduction fab!!

        The baddies….
        Tea and coffee, yuck
        washing powder, didn’t like it
        Softner, same
        Yoghourts, don’t like any of them
        Frozen fish and meat, don’t like, too processed
        Cat and dog food, 4 little noses turned up 🙁
        Loo roll, chaper at home bargains
        diluted juice, kids hated it.

        They also do a great anti-wrinkle cream for £1.99, which is just as good as leading brands!!

        Hope some of that will be useful!!!!
        Sharron x

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          October 4, 2011 at 4:53 pm

          Okay I’m sold… I’m going to do as much of my shop as possible at Aldi on Friday and will report back. I’ve heard from a friend how good the OJ is before. The free range chicken is a major plus for me, as this is something that I can struggle to find at a sensible price. And the wine – well as you say it needs no introduction.

          I forgot to give a shout out to the Home Bargains Bog Roll haha!! Sorry couldn’t resist! 🙂
          I love love love it! At £2 for 9 rolls I was expecting some seriously dodgy loo roll and I was so fantastically surprised. It’s great! Seriously good!
          A friend came to visit the other day who has 9 other family members at home, I sent a roll back to do an ‘Tinkle Test’. I told her to put it in the loo at home and see whether anyone commented on the quality.

          Thanks Sharron for your comment, it’s inspired me not only to try something new but also has given me a few ideas for future posts! Thanks again!

          ps – that anti-wrinkle cream is going on the list… since I lost the hair I’m a little more exposed!

          Reply
        • sharron says

          October 4, 2011 at 8:51 pm

          I thought you looked different on your picture, fab hair do 🙂
          The free range eggs are 99p for six aswell, tesco they are £1.60 ish?
          The loo roll i’ve been buying for a while, when the kids started using it they asked if i’d won the lottery, as we always bought value 🙂 It also has a nice smell too it !!

          The robinsons juice in home bargains is 59p £1 ish everwhere else
          Ya know i could go on forever!! But i won’t 🙂
          Sharron x

          @Sharron from Jo – I can’t reply again so adding on here!
          The eggs are fab and they are large ones (I even told a woman in a supermarket who was looking at a £1.59 box how much cheaper they were in HB down the road, I also did that in the chemist, a young girl was looking at false eyelashes and you can get two pairs for £1.99 in HB). I notice you put 99p for the eggs, they are 89p at my HB. I do wonder whether they change prices in HB based on demand though… There were two steam puds that were £1.59 everywhere else, and in HB they were 69p – then they jumped to 99p. Hmmmm will keep an eye on that!

          Reply
  19. Tanja from Minimalist Packrat says

    October 4, 2011 at 2:37 am

    Great list Jo. I’ve recently been experimenting with #4 on your list. We’ve started walking to the grocery store sometimes and carrying everything home. Weight and size became a factor really quick and we found ourselves not spending as much. I think we’re still above $50 a week though…. that’s a great goal. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jo H. says

      October 4, 2011 at 3:09 am

      Tanja, just noticed you are saying fifty dollars while Jo is saying 50 pounds – I believe a UK pound is worth a bit more than $1.50 US, so if you were aiming for Jo’s limit, you would be aiming for approximately $77.

      Reply
      • simplybeingmum says

        October 4, 2011 at 4:43 pm

        Hi Tanja and Jo – quite right Jo.H. £50 is $77 at the moment. However I cannot say how food prices compare in the two different countries – I know both times I have visited the US a lot of things were cheaper than in the UK even taking into account the exchange rate – but we weren’t buying groceries. Anything lower than $77 is going great guns I’d say…
        £50 isn’t an easy budget to keep to as a family of four, it’s takes some serious planning and thought, and also a bit of going without, but it is achievable and I am determined to cut our living expenses!

        Way to go on the carrying the groceries Tanja! Without a doubt it stops me putting that second bottle of wine in my trolley 😉

        Reply
  20. Tanja from Minimalist Packrat says

    October 4, 2011 at 2:37 am

    Great list Jo. I’ve recently been experimenting with #4 on your list. We’ve started walking to the grocery store sometimes and carrying everything home. Weight and size became a factor really quick and we found ourselves not spending as much. I think we’re still above $50 a week though…. that’s a great goal. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jo H. says

      October 4, 2011 at 3:09 am

      Tanja, just noticed you are saying fifty dollars while Jo is saying 50 pounds – I believe a UK pound is worth a bit more than $1.50 US, so if you were aiming for Jo’s limit, you would be aiming for approximately $77.

      Reply
      • simplybeingmum says

        October 4, 2011 at 4:43 pm

        Hi Tanja and Jo – quite right Jo.H. £50 is $77 at the moment. However I cannot say how food prices compare in the two different countries – I know both times I have visited the US a lot of things were cheaper than in the UK even taking into account the exchange rate – but we weren’t buying groceries. Anything lower than $77 is going great guns I’d say…
        £50 isn’t an easy budget to keep to as a family of four, it’s takes some serious planning and thought, and also a bit of going without, but it is achievable and I am determined to cut our living expenses!

        Way to go on the carrying the groceries Tanja! Without a doubt it stops me putting that second bottle of wine in my trolley 😉

        Reply
  21. Tanja from Minimalist Packrat says

    October 4, 2011 at 2:37 am

    Great list Jo. I’ve recently been experimenting with #4 on your list. We’ve started walking to the grocery store sometimes and carrying everything home. Weight and size became a factor really quick and we found ourselves not spending as much. I think we’re still above $50 a week though…. that’s a great goal. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jo H. says

      October 4, 2011 at 3:09 am

      Tanja, just noticed you are saying fifty dollars while Jo is saying 50 pounds – I believe a UK pound is worth a bit more than $1.50 US, so if you were aiming for Jo’s limit, you would be aiming for approximately $77.

      Reply
      • simplybeingmum says

        October 4, 2011 at 4:43 pm

        Hi Tanja and Jo – quite right Jo.H. £50 is $77 at the moment. However I cannot say how food prices compare in the two different countries – I know both times I have visited the US a lot of things were cheaper than in the UK even taking into account the exchange rate – but we weren’t buying groceries. Anything lower than $77 is going great guns I’d say…
        £50 isn’t an easy budget to keep to as a family of four, it’s takes some serious planning and thought, and also a bit of going without, but it is achievable and I am determined to cut our living expenses!

        Way to go on the carrying the groceries Tanja! Without a doubt it stops me putting that second bottle of wine in my trolley 😉

        Reply
  22. Jo H. says

    October 4, 2011 at 3:10 am

    Jo, I love your new picture 🙂

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      October 4, 2011 at 4:45 pm

      Thanks Jo – I’m loving not faffing about with my ridiculously thick long hair! Literally get up, run my hands through and go! 🙂

      Reply
  23. Jo H. says

    October 4, 2011 at 3:10 am

    Jo, I love your new picture 🙂

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      October 4, 2011 at 4:45 pm

      Thanks Jo – I’m loving not faffing about with my ridiculously thick long hair! Literally get up, run my hands through and go! 🙂

      Reply
  24. Jo H. says

    October 4, 2011 at 3:10 am

    Jo, I love your new picture 🙂

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      October 4, 2011 at 4:45 pm

      Thanks Jo – I’m loving not faffing about with my ridiculously thick long hair! Literally get up, run my hands through and go! 🙂

      Reply
  25. Sarah says

    October 22, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    Hiya all, would just like to say I’ve loved reading your comments & I’m now on the cost cutting bus!!
    I’m always complaing about wasting money & always tell myself off for topping up on things & buying things I don’t need to.
    After reading the comments it’s given me more of a boost that I can do it 🙂
    I live in a village & only have a co-op & a corner shop (both overpriced but you pay for convenience!) I also do my shop on asda as I don’t drive.
    I try to make things from scratch but fall in to the routine of buying ready made 🙁
    I WILL DO MORE 🙂 & good luck to everyone else too ????

    Reply
  26. Sarah says

    October 22, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    Hiya all, would just like to say I’ve loved reading your comments & I’m now on the cost cutting bus!!
    I’m always complaing about wasting money & always tell myself off for topping up on things & buying things I don’t need to.
    After reading the comments it’s given me more of a boost that I can do it 🙂
    I live in a village & only have a co-op & a corner shop (both overpriced but you pay for convenience!) I also do my shop on asda as I don’t drive.
    I try to make things from scratch but fall in to the routine of buying ready made 🙁
    I WILL DO MORE 🙂 & good luck to everyone else too ????

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. be adaptable - The Minimalist Mom says:
    September 29, 2011 at 11:36 am

    […] What ways have you adapted to buy and own fewer things? I’d love to hear about everything from sharing a cell phone with a spouse to having children share a room so you can stay in a smaller home. Have you ditched the vases you rarely use and put flowers in a water jug instead? Have you switched up your school pick-up/drop-off scenario to drive less? Have you changed your grocery shopping habits like Jo to spend 50% less? […]

    Reply
  2. be adaptable - The Minimalist Mom says:
    September 29, 2011 at 11:36 am

    […] What ways have you adapted to buy and own fewer things? I’d love to hear about everything from sharing a cell phone with a spouse to having children share a room so you can stay in a smaller home. Have you ditched the vases you rarely use and put flowers in a water jug instead? Have you switched up your school pick-up/drop-off scenario to drive less? Have you changed your grocery shopping habits like Jo to spend 50% less? […]

    Reply
  3. be adaptable - The Minimalist Mom says:
    September 29, 2011 at 11:36 am

    […] What ways have you adapted to buy and own fewer things? I’d love to hear about everything from sharing a cell phone with a spouse to having children share a room so you can stay in a smaller home. Have you ditched the vases you rarely use and put flowers in a water jug instead? Have you switched up your school pick-up/drop-off scenario to drive less? Have you changed your grocery shopping habits like Jo to spend 50% less? […]

    Reply
  4. No Waste Tastes Great 30 September 2011 | Simply Being Mum says:
    September 30, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    […] Post navigation ← Previous […]

    Reply
  5. No Waste Tastes Great 30 September 2011 | Simply Being Mum says:
    September 30, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    […] Post navigation ← Previous […]

    Reply
  6. No Waste Tastes Great 30 September 2011 | Simply Being Mum says:
    September 30, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    […] Post navigation ← Previous […]

    Reply
  7. No Waste Tastes Great 14 October 2011 | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 14, 2011 at 10:28 am

    […] week I overspent on my grocery budget, which I have now managed to reduce to £50 most weeks. To compensate I will be doing a bare basics shop and scouring the cupboards and tiny […]

    Reply
  8. No Waste Tastes Great 14 October 2011 | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 14, 2011 at 10:28 am

    […] week I overspent on my grocery budget, which I have now managed to reduce to £50 most weeks. To compensate I will be doing a bare basics shop and scouring the cupboards and tiny […]

    Reply
  9. No Waste Tastes Great 14 October 2011 | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 14, 2011 at 10:28 am

    […] week I overspent on my grocery budget, which I have now managed to reduce to £50 most weeks. To compensate I will be doing a bare basics shop and scouring the cupboards and tiny […]

    Reply
  10. Sticking To A Reduced Grocery Budget When The Honeymoon Period Is Over | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 31, 2011 at 10:59 am

    […] probably not quite there yet with making the reduced grocery spend a habit – not yet anyway. Hitting a target of £50 each week is still a […]

    Reply
  11. Sticking To A Reduced Grocery Budget When The Honeymoon Period Is Over | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 31, 2011 at 10:59 am

    […] probably not quite there yet with making the reduced grocery spend a habit – not yet anyway. Hitting a target of £50 each week is still a […]

    Reply
  12. Sticking To A Reduced Grocery Budget When The Honeymoon Period Is Over | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 31, 2011 at 10:59 am

    […] probably not quite there yet with making the reduced grocery spend a habit – not yet anyway. Hitting a target of £50 each week is still a […]

    Reply
  13. How I Meal Plan On A Reduced Grocery Budget | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 7, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    […] reducing our grocery spend by 50% meal planning has become even more […]

    Reply
  14. How I Meal Plan On A Reduced Grocery Budget | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 7, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    […] reducing our grocery spend by 50% meal planning has become even more […]

    Reply
  15. How I Meal Plan On A Reduced Grocery Budget | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 7, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    […] reducing our grocery spend by 50% meal planning has become even more […]

    Reply
  16. We’re Having A ‘Use It Up Week’! | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 8, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    […] how much blogging can keep you on track with developing new habits – don’t be! Since I posted about my reduced spend I feel totally accountable to meet that target as much as I possibly […]

    Reply
  17. We’re Having A ‘Use It Up Week’! | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 8, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    […] how much blogging can keep you on track with developing new habits – don’t be! Since I posted about my reduced spend I feel totally accountable to meet that target as much as I possibly […]

    Reply
  18. We’re Having A ‘Use It Up Week’! | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 8, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    […] how much blogging can keep you on track with developing new habits – don’t be! Since I posted about my reduced spend I feel totally accountable to meet that target as much as I possibly […]

    Reply
  19. It’s All About The Money…Or Is It? | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 15, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    […] battle commenced. It’s not for the faint hearted or the weak bodied reducing your grocery budget by 50%. It takes planning, organisation and willpower to meet the £50 target. Plus carrying all the […]

    Reply
  20. It’s All About The Money…Or Is It? | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 15, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    […] battle commenced. It’s not for the faint hearted or the weak bodied reducing your grocery budget by 50%. It takes planning, organisation and willpower to meet the £50 target. Plus carrying all the […]

    Reply
  21. It’s All About The Money…Or Is It? | Simply Being Mum says:
    November 15, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    […] battle commenced. It’s not for the faint hearted or the weak bodied reducing your grocery budget by 50%. It takes planning, organisation and willpower to meet the £50 target. Plus carrying all the […]

    Reply
  22. My First Ever Grocery Trip To Aldi – The Verdict! | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 5, 2011 at 10:49 am

    […] been an interesting few months since reducing my grocery budget to £50 a […]

    Reply
  23. My First Ever Grocery Trip To Aldi – The Verdict! | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 5, 2011 at 10:49 am

    […] been an interesting few months since reducing my grocery budget to £50 a […]

    Reply
  24. My First Ever Grocery Trip To Aldi – The Verdict! | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 5, 2011 at 10:49 am

    […] been an interesting few months since reducing my grocery budget to £50 a […]

    Reply
  25. No Waste Tastes Great 9 Dec 2011 / Plus A Simple Dinner party | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 9, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    […] evening. This was my second trip to Aldi. I had 2 lists. List number 1 for the family groceries and a target of £50. I’d done well on my first ever trip to Aldi last Friday and came in at £41.11. I knew there […]

    Reply
  26. No Waste Tastes Great 9 Dec 2011 / Plus A Simple Dinner party | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 9, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    […] evening. This was my second trip to Aldi. I had 2 lists. List number 1 for the family groceries and a target of £50. I’d done well on my first ever trip to Aldi last Friday and came in at £41.11. I knew there […]

    Reply
  27. No Waste Tastes Great 9 Dec 2011 / Plus A Simple Dinner party | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 9, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    […] evening. This was my second trip to Aldi. I had 2 lists. List number 1 for the family groceries and a target of £50. I’d done well on my first ever trip to Aldi last Friday and came in at £41.11. I knew there […]

    Reply
  28. So…How Did I End Up Shopping At Aldi? | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 12, 2011 at 11:04 pm

    […] I posted about reducing grocery spend and a dear reader, Sharron, whose opinion I respect suggested I may […]

    Reply
  29. So…How Did I End Up Shopping At Aldi? | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 12, 2011 at 11:04 pm

    […] I posted about reducing grocery spend and a dear reader, Sharron, whose opinion I respect suggested I may […]

    Reply
  30. So…How Did I End Up Shopping At Aldi? | Simply Being Mum says:
    December 12, 2011 at 11:04 pm

    […] I posted about reducing grocery spend and a dear reader, Sharron, whose opinion I respect suggested I may […]

    Reply
  31. No Waste Tastes Great / My 2012 Routine | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 6, 2012 at 11:28 am

    […] Sticking to a budget of £50 a week I then do my grocery shop (on Friday) for the coming […]

    Reply
  32. No Waste Tastes Great / My 2012 Routine | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 6, 2012 at 11:28 am

    […] Sticking to a budget of £50 a week I then do my grocery shop (on Friday) for the coming […]

    Reply
  33. No Waste Tastes Great / My 2012 Routine | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 6, 2012 at 11:28 am

    […] Sticking to a budget of £50 a week I then do my grocery shop (on Friday) for the coming […]

    Reply
  34. SuperScrimping – Reducing Your Grocery Budget Plus Simple Spaghetti Bolognese | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 31, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    […] who have been following this blog for some time will know that in September 2011 I decided to reduce my grocery budget by 50% through […]

    Reply
  35. SuperScrimping – Reducing Your Grocery Budget Plus Simple Spaghetti Bolognese | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 31, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    […] who have been following this blog for some time will know that in September 2011 I decided to reduce my grocery budget by 50% through […]

    Reply
  36. SuperScrimping – Reducing Your Grocery Budget Plus Simple Spaghetti Bolognese | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 31, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    […] who have been following this blog for some time will know that in September 2011 I decided to reduce my grocery budget by 50% through […]

    Reply
  37. No Waste Tastes Great / Plus Next Week’s Simple Meal Plan | Simply Being Mum says:
    April 20, 2012 at 10:18 am

    […] So without further ado it’s off with my grocery list and reusable bags in hand to try to meet my self-imposed £50 grocery budget. […]

    Reply
  38. No Waste Tastes Great / Plus Next Week’s Simple Meal Plan | Simply Being Mum says:
    April 20, 2012 at 10:18 am

    […] So without further ado it’s off with my grocery list and reusable bags in hand to try to meet my self-imposed £50 grocery budget. […]

    Reply
  39. No Waste Tastes Great / Plus Next Week’s Simple Meal Plan | Simply Being Mum says:
    April 20, 2012 at 10:18 am

    […] So without further ado it’s off with my grocery list and reusable bags in hand to try to meet my self-imposed £50 grocery budget. […]

    Reply
  40. No Waste Tastes Great / Use What You Have | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 11, 2012 at 10:48 am

    […] love having a ‘use it up week’ as it can drastically reduce my already 50% reduced grocery budget. And we won’t go hungry, it’s amazing what you can rustle up from basic […]

    Reply
  41. No Waste Tastes Great / Use What You Have | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 11, 2012 at 10:48 am

    […] love having a ‘use it up week’ as it can drastically reduce my already 50% reduced grocery budget. And we won’t go hungry, it’s amazing what you can rustle up from basic […]

    Reply
  42. No Waste Tastes Great / Use What You Have | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 11, 2012 at 10:48 am

    […] love having a ‘use it up week’ as it can drastically reduce my already 50% reduced grocery budget. And we won’t go hungry, it’s amazing what you can rustle up from basic […]

    Reply
  43. Looking For Inspiration? | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 23, 2012 at 10:49 am

    […] line dry, pack lunches, meal plan and have reduced our grocery spend. We turn lights off, wear a jumper instead of cranking up the heating and try to walk whenever […]

    Reply
  44. Looking For Inspiration? | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 23, 2012 at 10:49 am

    […] line dry, pack lunches, meal plan and have reduced our grocery spend. We turn lights off, wear a jumper instead of cranking up the heating and try to walk whenever […]

    Reply
  45. Looking For Inspiration? | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 23, 2012 at 10:49 am

    […] line dry, pack lunches, meal plan and have reduced our grocery spend. We turn lights off, wear a jumper instead of cranking up the heating and try to walk whenever […]

    Reply
  46. The Good, The Bad & The Could Do Better | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 19, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    […] year I reduced my grocery spend by 50%. I also started shopping at Aldi, after a little hesitation. I’m still pleased with both of […]

    Reply
  47. The Good, The Bad & The Could Do Better | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 19, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    […] year I reduced my grocery spend by 50%. I also started shopping at Aldi, after a little hesitation. I’m still pleased with both of […]

    Reply
  48. The Good, The Bad & The Could Do Better | Simply Being Mum says:
    June 19, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    […] year I reduced my grocery spend by 50%. I also started shopping at Aldi, after a little hesitation. I’m still pleased with both of […]

    Reply
  49. Going Back To Basics | Simply Being Mum says:
    July 1, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    […] recently reduced the weekly grocery spend by 50%, I’ve been very impressed with the quality and price of products at the supermarket […]

    Reply
  50. Going Back To Basics | Simply Being Mum says:
    July 1, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    […] recently reduced the weekly grocery spend by 50%, I’ve been very impressed with the quality and price of products at the supermarket […]

    Reply
  51. Going Back To Basics | Simply Being Mum says:
    July 1, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    […] recently reduced the weekly grocery spend by 50%, I’ve been very impressed with the quality and price of products at the supermarket […]

    Reply
  52. You Manage What You Measure | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 17, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    […] I hadn’t publically committed to a £50 weekly grocery budget last year, would I still be keeping my costs down? I can’t say for sure. What I do know is […]

    Reply
  53. You Manage What You Measure | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 17, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    […] I hadn’t publically committed to a £50 weekly grocery budget last year, would I still be keeping my costs down? I can’t say for sure. What I do know is […]

    Reply
  54. You Manage What You Measure | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 17, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    […] I hadn’t publically committed to a £50 weekly grocery budget last year, would I still be keeping my costs down? I can’t say for sure. What I do know is […]

    Reply
  55. No Waste Tastes Great 2014 | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 3, 2014 at 9:21 am

    […] are purchased the same day. The target is to spend just £50 on shopping – although this can increase some weeks. A further £10 is budgeted for Friday […]

    Reply
  56. No Waste Tastes Great 2014 | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 3, 2014 at 9:21 am

    […] are purchased the same day. The target is to spend just £50 on shopping – although this can increase some weeks. A further £10 is budgeted for Friday […]

    Reply
  57. No Waste Tastes Great 2014 | Simply Being Mum says:
    January 3, 2014 at 9:21 am

    […] are purchased the same day. The target is to spend just £50 on shopping – although this can increase some weeks. A further £10 is budgeted for Friday […]

    Reply
  58. No Waste Tastes Great / Watching What I Eat | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 23, 2014 at 9:07 am

    […] attention works when looking to limit food waste, reduce grocery spend, and ultimately when you want to watch what you […]

    Reply
  59. No Waste Tastes Great / Watching What I Eat | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 23, 2014 at 9:07 am

    […] attention works when looking to limit food waste, reduce grocery spend, and ultimately when you want to watch what you […]

    Reply
  60. No Waste Tastes Great / Watching What I Eat | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 23, 2014 at 9:07 am

    […] attention works when looking to limit food waste, reduce grocery spend, and ultimately when you want to watch what you […]

    Reply
  61. For Love and Saving Money: Cooking from Scratch - Peanut Butter Budget Builder Girl says:
    August 1, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    […] over $400 a month (I eat a lot) to about $225. I’m not the only one to notice a change. The blog simplybeingmum did a weekly tracked experiment, and the author too found her grocery bill cut in half. If you are […]

    Reply
  62. For Love and Saving Money: Cooking from Scratch - Peanut Butter Budget Builder Girl says:
    August 1, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    […] over $400 a month (I eat a lot) to about $225. I’m not the only one to notice a change. The blog simplybeingmum did a weekly tracked experiment, and the author too found her grocery bill cut in half. If you are […]

    Reply
  63. For Love and Saving Money: Cooking from Scratch - Peanut Butter Budget Builder Girl says:
    August 1, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    […] over $400 a month (I eat a lot) to about $225. I’m not the only one to notice a change. The blog simplybeingmum did a weekly tracked experiment, and the author too found her grocery bill cut in half. If you are […]

    Reply
  64. be adaptable | the minimalist mom says:
    June 12, 2018 at 4:45 pm

    […] What ways have you adapted to buy and own fewer things? I’d love to hear about everything from sharing a cell phone with a spouse to having children share a room so you can stay in a smaller home. Have you ditched the vases you rarely use and put flowers in a water jug instead? Have you switched up your school pick-up/drop-off scenario to drive less? Have you changed your grocery shopping habits like Jo to spend 50% less? […]

    Reply

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Welcome to SimplyBeingMum – one mother’s personal website documenting the journey toward a family life simply done.Here you will find a collection of recipes, ideas, musings and philosophies related to families who feel a pull toward a more conscious, mindful and simpler way of life.

You don’t have to homeschool or bake your own bread daily to hang out here. At whatever stage of your journey, you are on, you are very welcome. I personally still have a long way left down my own path and find that by blogging about it, it helps to keep me on track.

Please stay a while, have a meander around, see what takes your interest, and do join in the discussion.

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