So, here we are on the day before and you might be interested in how I'm going to do this...(or maybe not)? I've developed a simple meal planner which I'm hoping will be flexible (it's going to have to be flexible), then Mrs P checked the planner against what we needed and made up the shopping list. I checked prices with www.mysupermarket.co.uk to get the best deal on each item, it's true that I am lucky enough to have all of the major supermarkets within very close proximity and easily accessible, so I knew I could travel across different stores to get the best deal. If that proves too difficult to manage on a weekly basis then we have to reconsider how we work it.
However, what has become really clear, really quickly is that no matter how much you plan, it is bloody impossible to check prices between supermarkets on the fly. I was armed with my list and comparative pricing from each shop as I figured this would give me the best opportunity to try to buy the best value item in each place. Even prepared, primed and prepped as I was, I became mentally adrift while trying to compare special deals. It was a maze of confusion that seems designed to prevent you for getting a like-for-like comparison.
I'm sure it won't surprise you to learn that the majority of the list came from Aldi, the discount store was ram packed of all the staples which made up the bulk of this store cupboard stock-up. What surprised me though, was just how unpleasant it was as a shopping experience. It felt like the McDonalds of supermarkets, get 'em in and get 'em out as quickly as possible. For example the checkouts don't have a bagging area, I assume to cut down on their footprint and give the store more space for produce but it made me feel pushed and rushed as the queues built behind me, I clearly need a speed bagging masterclass (that is not a euphemism) The prices certainly allowed me to come in on budget so hey, no judgement from me yet!
Rather than post the shopping list here, I'll post it on dropbox because then I don't have to bugger about with formatting etc. So to get a small insight into how my brain considers these things, this link will take you to my shopping list. It will be dynamic, so you'll be able to see how I change things up week to week.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/owngjgm6w2ro4x1/Weekly%20shopping%20budget.xlsx?dl=0
Oh, and if you can't be bothered to look but still want to know how much I spent? This week, everything came in at £49.85. I wanted to leave a bit of a buffer just in case I need anything during the week. I think I might run out of bread, cheese and then I might break and buy some ham just to swap the lunches up a bit. Plus, the salads might get boring without a dressing to liven things up!
One notable inclusion in the list iss ox cheek - I actually wanted pork belly but there weren't any of the smaller packs that I was after. Then, in raiding the reduced section there, hidden under a microwavable Chicken Tikka, was this little gem - considering we'll be making a stew anyway, it was a great substitute so I wasted no time before the woman next to me could lean in and nick it. I also had to make sure I got stocked up with enough veg as possible but I suspect we'll run into trouble with alternating salad and sandwiches for lunch so I'll have to think of some ways to liven that up.
So anyway the (initial) plan is as follows:
Sunday
Breakfast - toast/cereal
Lunch - roast pork and trimmings
Dinner - pork leftovers/sandwiches
Monday
Breakfast - toast/cereal
Lunch - salad/sandwich
Dinner - pork, wedges and salad
Tuesday
Breakfast - toast/cereal
Lunch - salad/sandwich
Dinner - ox cheek stew
Wednesday
Breakfast - toast/cereal
Lunch - salad/sandwich
Dinner - chicken and tomato pasta
Thursday
Breakfast - toast/cereal
Lunch - salad/sandwich
Dinner - toad in the hole with steamed veg
Friday
Breakfast - toast/cereal
Lunch - salad/sandwich
Dinner - Grannys chicken soup
Saturday
Breakfast - toast/cereal
Lunch - beany/cheese on toast
Dinner - homemade pizza
I'll (try to) give a more detailed update of what and how we cook, but forgive me if things slip. Things might get swapped or turned about but in general, that's what we've got to work with. No booze this week, that is a luxury that I just couldn't justify but I'm sure that the more eagle eyed of you have noticed that Mrs P managed to secure a couple of bars of chocolate - there is only so far I can push her you know...
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