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Supermarkets

(65 Posts)
watermeadow Wed 27-May-26 13:11:51

Apparently the average family uses four supermarkets each week. I have access to only one, Waitrose, which I like but it’s the most expensive.
I just read about someone’s big monthly shop costing £38 at Aldi. I live alone and spend about £65 each week, rising all the time. I buy own-brands and reduced food and no luxuries but my bills include feeding 2 cats and a small dog. I don’t drink or eat meat.
Fruit and veg come from the market.
Today’s bill in Waitrose was £53 and I shall need to shop again on Saturday. Gas and electricity are about to rise too. I feel I shall have to live off beans on toast for the rest of my life.
How are others coping with rocketing prices?

Witzend Thu 28-May-26 18:06:47

I mostly use Asda, but also Sainsbury’s (where I look for Nectar offers), M&S and Waitrose, those two last for a few particular things - among others in particular in M&S, fruit and some veg, Waitrose for U.K. origin higher welfare pork or gammon.

I will soon be looking in M&S for luscious British black cherries, have to make the most of the short season!

midgey Thu 28-May-26 18:11:40

I have a Tesco superstore and a Tesco Express nearby. The price difference is quite scary, most things are at least thirty pence more in the Tesco Express. Seems immoral to me!

henetha Thu 28-May-26 18:12:12

I have Tesco delivery once a week now due to back problems, and shop locally if I run out of odds and ends. We have Lidl, the Co-op, also Sainsbury's and Asda not far away. And still some independent shops which I try to support.

MissAdventure Thu 28-May-26 18:13:55

I used Asda online for a while, but they were often out of stock of things like milk and bread.
Its a shame, because they were good on prices, I found.

Bea0802 Thu 28-May-26 19:19:37

I watched a lady on YouTube for a while. She'd had some alterations to her house and wanted to top up her savings so was living off her state pension for a year. Very interesting, but blooming hard work. Seeking out bargains, batch cooking and freezing loads. Good to watch but I couldn't do it!

MissAdventure Thu 28-May-26 19:36:35

I watch a woman who is single, has arthritis in her knees, and has now lived with no work and no benefits for around five years, i think.

She had an allotment, and also only ever buys eco friendly items.

She is really interesting to watch as she is clever at styling things, patching things.

She had to give up the allotment due to her knees, but has sold her little london flat and been able to buy a cottage by the sea.

Kloppqueen Fri 29-May-26 10:18:05

I get an Ocado delivery once a week, average £45. For anything else have a small Sainsbury's within walking distance, along with a really good butcher/deli. I can also get a bus to Sainsburys, Aldi, Morrisons and M&S. Tesco and Asda are not on bus route and we don't have Waitrose here.

FranP Sun 31-May-26 00:06:38

My local shop is an Aldi, so I pick up mid-weeks and runouts. I did try to shop there when it opened, but cannot get everything, and the price comparison is a bit false with smaller packets and lesser quality and for me it is not as cheap as the price comparison basket.

Waitrose fresh stuff lasts longer and is nearly always nicer, and the shop is too (plus the free coffee when I remember my mug), so I try to get there when I do not have a big shop that includes the household stuff

My regular main shop is Tesco though for economy, with bananas and fresh fruit/salad from M&S which is right next door. But I have a big Xtra not too far away. Tesco prices are matched to the local area so are not always the same from shop to shop.

Macaydia Sun 31-May-26 00:21:38

I agree. £38? Lets see that shopping list.
Maybe they are vegetarian and everything grows in the garden?

Grammaretto Sun 31-May-26 01:06:06

I live in the town centre and have Lidl across the road in one direction and a community store supplied by Suma Wholefoods and Green City and local growers in the other.
Tesco and other shops are further away.
There's a community fridge at the food bank where I sometimes pick up bargains.
Recently tubes of truffle pate were being thrown out. I had to rescue one.

Fish man every Friday. wild halibut this week was £35 per kilo

I would love to have a Waitrose or M&S but that's a bus ride.
I'm usually surprised by how little I spend at Lidl compared to the organic shop.
Scottish strawberries are my current weakness.

£35 a month? You must be joking!

nexus63 Sun 31-May-26 01:51:57

i am on facebook and look at the posts for reduce your supermarket spend, people use oilo and visit a number of supermarkets each night for reduced items, they batch cook and bulk out things like mince using oats or lentils. i use morrisons for food shopping, i check what i have in and then get what i need, toilet rolls and some other items i buy from amazon, i do a shop with fabulosa every 2 months for laundry and cleaning. i can keep my spending down with fruit from a local stall and some nights i have soup then toast and beans, it is easier for me being on my own but i feel sorry for couples with kids trying to make the money stretch because it is not easy.

MawsRosie Sun 31-May-26 10:04:12

MissAdventure

I watch a woman who is single, has arthritis in her knees, and has now lived with no work and no benefits for around five years, i think.

She had an allotment, and also only ever buys eco friendly items.

She is really interesting to watch as she is clever at styling things, patching things.

She had to give up the allotment due to her knees, but has sold her little london flat and been able to buy a cottage by the sea.

When you say “watch” do you mean on the internet? Or in RL?
Her “little London flat” probably fetched a 6 figure sum where the first one was North of 6!
I am sceptical about these so called lifestyle experts or influencers and frankly don’t believe them for a minute.

MT62 Sun 31-May-26 10:33:24

I feel sorry for the young families, but then again it’s them pushing massive trolleys, then ring for a taxi.
Tattoos, eye lashes, Botox, lip fillers, so guess they must be managing somehow.

MissAdventure Sun 31-May-26 10:54:50

No doubt her flat bought in a pretty penny, Maw.
With that money she was able to buy her little cottage.

She's on youtube, and certainly no influencer, simply a woman who decded to see if she could manage for one year without benefits.

She managed, and that year has rolled into about five now, i think.