oh and we always cook for 2 nights at a time - meal then leftovers. cheaper to cook that bit extra than to let a little extra leftover go to waste if you know what i mean?
After DH work recently stuffing up & us getting a rather large tax bill we are now currently trying to save in every way possible. I am really trying to focus on food etc, as I would be at woolies everyday getting what I've forgotten.
I always do a meal plan (we don't eat same things each week) I just plan out what for that week & ensure I buy for just that. That includes fruit, veg & meat...don't buy if I don't need it for that week. Last shop was only $150 that included lots of meat & nappies! I often think about trying this fruit of that for DS, but know he'll waste it so leave it be.
I also buy DS snacks in bulk like the sultanas in homebrand & put in a container. He eats more than he would out of those silly little boxes anyway, they seem to just get spilt all of the time. Also buy big tins of friut instead of the real exp fruit packs. Just put in container in fridge & cut up & put in smaller container or his breakfast when needed.
I try to make most sweet things like biscuits, loafs etc. I also buy in bulk when I can, but again if it's on sale in bulk & I don't really need it I don't get it.
Since DS is not using as many nappies I buy real cheap for during the day & use huggies at night...this saves. And buy no brand where not needed, even used black & gold mayo in a potato salad last week no probs at all. We buy cheap marg, butter, milk, bread etc.
My #1 tip is to shop LESS - try and stretch out the time between shops so go two weeks rather than 1.5 and NEVER "just pop in to get....whatever" always leads to uneccessary purchases.
# 2 you can buy a lot of cleaning products, toiletries etc at places other than the supermarket. Try your local bargain store. Often when brands change packaging etc they send they old styles of stock to these stores. Also "parallel imports" the o/s versions of products - some are just the same and some aren't, check the ingredients list
# 3 - Bulk/wholesale butchers - mine has great quality meat and good prices that become awesome when they have specials - I just check their weekly ads in the paper and stock up (you need lots of freezer space tho)
#4 - shop around for a good fruit n veg store - the ones in big shopping centres can be $$$ - I go to a little independant in an old shed/building on a roadside - awesome value.
#5 - ALDI - don't know if you have one - they are great - I buy my loo paper, foil etc, paper towels, staples, frozen stuff, cheese, marg....great quality and really cheap.
Hmmmm...thats all for now, good luck with the saving!
i try to buy less fridge more cuboard we buy ata butcher and do our gorcery shop at woolies we try to only spend 200 a week which is hard as sometimes it blows the budget due to things we may need like loo paper and stuff like cleaning products but i try to stay on budget a calculator and a list helps alott
I tend to add up as im going so i wont be shocked at the register then i can decide if we really need that extra bag of chips or whatever whilst shopping. DP being a butcher helps so we get 20% off meat! I truly appreciate that discount as good meat is so so expensive! I buy my fruit and veg from a little store near work, for every $20 i spend i get a stamp then when ive had 10 stamps i get $20 of free produce Our bill is generally $100 - $150pw. I too have staples in the cupboard (Flour, sugar etc, all baking stuff).
I buy homebrand biccies like scotch fingers and strawberry tarts (about 70c a pack) and put them in a biccie jar and DSD or my sister (who is living with us) cant even tell the difference. Same with rice and pasta, cheap brands will do for us.
Toilet paper we do in bulk, always need that stuff
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Our bill is generally $100 - $150pw. I too have staples in the cupboard (Flour, sugar etc, all baking stuff).
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