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How Often Do You Shop For Food?


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Old 18-08-2011, 09:44
petit-pois
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And do you think it works out cheaper that way?

I do an online shop at Tesco when I've pretty much run out of food as well as popping to the local Tesco Express a couple of times in the week for bread and milk and any fresh foods I need to go with dinner. There's no real structure to it other than I stock up until I've run out again. I also end up buying a lot of junk and treats online, which go within the first few days!

I've decided that when my current food runs out I'm going to do a weekly online shop and meal plan, so I'm only buying exactly what I need. Tesco online are introducing a shelf-life guide similar to Ocado, so you know how long the products will last. I've found Tesco like to send me things that have a day or two left so on the last few shops I've steered clear of ordering anything fresh online. If this new system works I think I'll start ordering fresh again, as they should at least last me the week.
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Old 18-08-2011, 09:50
reginald1981
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Weekly and then butchers on Saturday morning. Sometimes a quick trip to a differant supermarket to get a few things.

If we have a Tesco delivery and the dates are short I always ring up and complain and get the items refunded.
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Old 18-08-2011, 10:16
earthling13
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Big supermarket shop every 7-8 days. Butchers, bakers and ALDI as required.
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Old 18-08-2011, 10:58
big_hard_lad
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Once a week. I do a meal plan and shopping list on a Saturday morning and go to the butchers and the fruit & veg shop afterwards. Then I go to Tesco on a Monday on the way home from work for everything else. If I need other bits and bobs (bread, milk, something I've forgotten on the list) I'll nip to a shop (usually Tesco Express, M&S, Co-Op or local shop) to grab those bits. For me, this system works really well.

I genuinely don't understand how people can just go to the supermarket without a list. Firstly, I'd spend a complete fortune on stuff I don't need. Secondly, how do they make any meals?! Do you not need to know what you need before cooking? I know some friends who just go and "buy stuff" then come home and decide what to make from that. I couldn't do that.

Finally, I find going to the butchers and F&V shop saves me money. The food is of MUCH higher standard than the supermarkets and much better value. It's a little bit more effort rather than just going to one shop, but if you live somewhere where you have the option it's definitely worth it, both financially and for the standard of product.
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Old 18-08-2011, 11:10
RAINBOWGIRL22
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We do a weekly online shop (I keep trying to cut to back to fortnightly) for all the heavy stuff - cat litter, laundry stuff, pasta, rice, tins etc... I get some fresh stuff too - sausages, eggs, milk, veggies etc.. Usually spend about £50 a week.

I pick up meat, salad stuff, fresh bits throughout the week as and when I need them [usually from M&S or Tesco as they are the shops I pass everyday]

I normally spend another £30 a week this way
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Old 18-08-2011, 11:18
mirabelle
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I'd like to say we are conventional but we are pretty crap with this. We try to do the once a week thing that lasts all of a week. It's noramlly me topping up the fresh items in the fridge every week and then we do a big shop of tins etc once a month if you are lucky. It's not even like we have big cupboards just my o/h wants to come food shopping with me (frustrating) and his job is antisocial hours really so we just never make it
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Old 18-08-2011, 11:25
earthling13
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Once a week. I do a meal plan and shopping list on a Saturday morning and go to the butchers and the fruit & veg shop afterwards. Then I go to Tesco on a Monday on the way home from work for everything else. If I need other bits and bobs (bread, milk, something I've forgotten on the list) I'll nip to a shop (usually Tesco Express, M&S, Co-Op or local shop) to grab those bits. For me, this system works really well.

I genuinely don't understand how people can just go to the supermarket without a list. Firstly, I'd spend a complete fortune on stuff I don't need. Secondly, how do they make any meals?! Do you not need to know what you need before cooking? I know some friends who just go and "buy stuff" then come home and decide what to make from that. I couldn't do that.

Finally, I find going to the butchers and F&V shop saves me money. The food is of MUCH higher standard than the supermarkets and much better value. It's a little bit more effort rather than just going to one shop, but if you live somewhere where you have the option it's definitely worth it, both financially and for the standard of product.

I'm lucky in a way because I only have to cook for the two of us and OH will eat literally anything so I can be flexible about cooking. I did go through a phase of planning meals a few days in advance and writing list but frequently when I got to the supermarket something I needed was out of stock. Now I just keep a well stocked cupboard and buy fresh meat and veg as required.

I agree about using the butchers. Ours is in the local farm shop and their produce is excellent. I wouldn't go anywhere else for meat, pork pies, ham, bacon, sausages or eggs (strangely). The quality is so much better than the supermarket and somethings are actually cheaper. Also, they will often give a little bit extra or charge me a little bit less than the weighed product. He doesn't know it but I love my butcher.
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Old 18-08-2011, 11:29
dreadful
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Yeah, I try to do it weekly, but sometimes it's too annoying to carry that heavy bag, even if it's only a few meters to the bus stop or home, so depending on the mood, really. I inevitably have to pop into the shop for something during the week, like milk or yoghurt or mayo, they always run out before the rest, or something for desert, wine or a soft drink, but I prefer doing it weekly, mostly cause it saves hassles, not so much money. I can't be bothered to go to different places to get better deals, though, seems too much effort to get 10p off something, so I just go to one of the big ones and get everything.
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Old 18-08-2011, 11:48
earthling13
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Yeah, I try to do it weekly, but sometimes it's too annoying to carry that heavy bag, even if it's only a few meters to the bus stop or home, so depending on the mood, really. I inevitably have to pop into the shop for something during the week, like milk or yoghurt or mayo, they always run out before the rest, or something for desert, wine or a soft drink, but I prefer doing it weekly, mostly cause it saves hassles, not so much money. I can't be bothered to go to different places to get better deals, though, seems too much effort to get 10p off something, so I just go to one of the big ones and get everything.
Thing is, in many cases, it's not just 10p any more.
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Old 18-08-2011, 12:12
mirabelle
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if my butchers opened at hours other than 9-5 I'm sure he'd get more business.We work weekends so can't pop in on a Saturday and I don't get home from work int he week until 5.30pM. I even have to pass butchers to get to supermarket he's losing out on money I'm sure.
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