Brands or Basics

[Thelma Sanders]

An Italian once told me that brand pastas ...... all come from the same producers; Jules

Didn't they also say that even in Italy there are some poor quality pastas, and IMO some of the own brand ones are dire LOL Lidl do an acceptable range though, and their tomato puree tubes are good value as well I also like their cold meats, Salami and breakfast cereals.
I do also shop in Asda but I'm not that keen on Asda's veg it never looks very fresh in our store

When I do a big monthly shop online - it's with Tesco

[lottie dolly]

That's why I tend to go to Aldi. They don't have (as many) of the extras that the larger supermarkets convince you you need...although I did go in last week for hair dye and came out with two fruit trees

thats good lol,they will produce food

[ladylottie]

Talking of making your own does anyone know how to make mustard?

Never tried it myself but here's a link
Making Mustard at Home cooking with herbs and spices

[julesapple]

Does anyone use the 99p shop or Poundland? I love the 99p shop....there are some real bargains to be had in there, especially in toiletries.

#1 son is prone to mouth ulcers and he uses Aquafresh Extreme Clean mouthwash as it helps more than anything else. It's �3.49 in Sainsburys so 99p is much better. Head & Shoulders, Linx shower gels etc etc. I've also found zip pouches for freezing sauces in there...my Ma orders them from Lakeland and pays through the nose.

Jules

[julesapple]

Didn't they also say that even in Italy there are some poor quality pastas, and IMO some of the own brand ones are dire LOL Lidl do an acceptable range though, and their tomato puree tubes are good value as well I also like their cold meats, Salami and breakfast cereals.
I do also shop in Asda but I'm not that keen on Asda's veg it never looks very fresh in our store

When I do a big monthly shop online - it's with Tesco

I don't like Aldi pasta unless it's the speciality Bronze pasta they get in occasionally (which is still cheap price-wise). I buy pasta in Lidl and always egg pasta. Aldi's pasta sauces are pretty tasteless too, but Lidl quite often has Grossy Lloydman's sauces for �1, so I stock up then. I quite often buy Aldi marmalade, melt it down and smarten (I won't say tart) it up with cranberries or whisky. Or mint in the Lemon marmalade.

We usually hit Lidl or Aldi at about 10am on a weekday which means it's lovely and quiet for the BH to shuffle round. Asda, Tesco et al are always heaving here and they seem to have squeezed more aisles in so it's hard to get past other trolleys, and impossible if the BH has to use his stick that day.

Jules

[taff]

cheap pasta can be disgusting. the same with cheap rice. I bought a bag of sainsburys cheapandcheerful one, it was basically the sweepings off the floor, most of the grains were smashed and in bits, which is ok if you want to eat slop, but not if you want to eat rice
It costs a lot more to eat healthily form a supermarket than to buy ready meals.
I have a vegetarian friend who finds it cheaper to buy 21 ready meals for a pound each for the week, rather than buy fresh food or staples and make his own food.

[Two_Sheds]

It costs a lot more to eat healthily form a supermarket than to buy ready meals.

I completely disagree, if you're comparing like with like. I buy meat on its sell by and make it into 5, 6 or 7 meals, freezing in portion size. I won't pay more than about 70p a meal.

Veg meals, eg rice & lentil dahl, costs pennies

[donnakebab]

I buy loads of basics stuff from Morrisons and Sainsburys and I haven't really been disappointed yet. At the end of the day if something doesn't come up to scratch at least you haven't paid over the odds for it. I shop in Aldi too and they aren't always the cheapest on some things. It really pays to shop around these days.

[taff]

I completely disagree, if you're comparing like with like. I buy meat on its sell by and make it into 5, 6 or 7 meals, freezing in portion size. I won't pay more than about 70p a meal.

Veg meals, eg rice & lentil dahl, costs pennies

don't worry, I already pointed this out to him, but when you take into account the basics you need to make a meal, the herbs, spices, oil, etc, it really does work out cheaper for him. He doesn't grow his own veg, his contribution to his meals are the popty ping he uses to heat them up.

[di]

I hate to say it Taff, but, as he's not here .....I think he might just be being a little lazy! A friend is having similar issues with her brother, insisting he can't afford anything other than rubbish because he's on the dole...her first response is always, 'so get a job'...he's single. But then points out the variety of healthy options out there. OK, they're not that tasty, I bought a bag of carrots for 39p, add an onion and for now some curry powder...you have a basic veg curry. If each week he buys jus one extra jar of spice...well on his way!
That said, since being a single mum, the weekends that I don't have the kiddies, I really can't be bothered to cook for myself, so I can perhaps see where they are coming from.

[binley100]

It was OMG Bins in goose grease that sprung to mind

I never said that I did ......just giving BM his options

I completely disagree, if you're comparing like with like. I buy meat on its sell by and make it into 5, 6 or 7 meals, freezing in portion size. I won't pay more than about 70p a meal.

Veg meals, eg rice & lentil dahl, costs pennies

I agree with T_S .....either make up meals and freeze or split meat into portions and freeze.

[chris]

We've recently changed our shopping habits. We get our shopping delivered (we don't buy things on a whim then!), mainly Ocado or Waitrose - we'll use some of their own brand stuff (most of the stuff we buy currently), and the odd value.

Waitrose cheapo pasta is just as nice as their own brand pasta. Their meat is still ethical (by other supermarket standards, at least) - even their cheapo essential range (I spoke to a few members of staff and even one of the managers on duty as I didn't believe the first couple of staff I spoke to).

Currently, this works for us, as my wife gets the shopping delivered because it's easier than lugging two young kids around - and it means I don't have to goto the shops which instantly puts me in a bad mood (trolley rage).

Some stuff I like branded items, or if I'm putting a special meal together then I'll go the extra mile to get fresh, local produce.

My wife goes through recipe books and will batch cook, so meals are planned - extras are frozen or taken for lunch, or had the next day.

[binley100]

I never said that I did ......just giving BM his options

I usually use the brand method ..........ie the flying dolphin

[veggiechicken]

Who is the jockey - Lester Porpoise?

[taff]

you're right about the lazy. I think the other problem is he's never been taught to cook. I have offered a few times to teach him but you know what people are like for amking time for things they consider not urgent