Pavicate
Whili
Frustinating
Can you think of any others?
Now for more mundane matters: Since I've been on the Austerity Budget (started back in June when I realised hubby's unemployment could last longer than a couple of months), I've been buying cheaply as much as I can. Sometimes, though, I've wondered if it is worth it. I've made a mental list of what more expensive items I plan to go right back to as soon as the Austerity Budget days are over. For what it's worth, here are some items I've gone cheaper on and my verdict on whether I'd still buy cheaper if I had a choice.
Butter: I buy the cheapest I can find. I'm not sure that it's as good as the more expensive brand. VERDICT: I'd go back to the more expensive brand.
Bread: The cheapest brand is pretty bad. VERDICT: I'd go straight back to the more expensive brand.
Eggs: I used to buy free-range organic, to ease my conscience as much as anything. VERDICT: I'd probably go back but not because the free-range organic are that much better.
Fruit: I stopped buying fruit like strawberries out of season. They tend to be pretty tasteless at this time of year anyway. I've started buying the cheapest bananas, apples, and oranges. Not all the fruit is ripe. Sometimes it's overripe or rotten in the middle. VERDICT: I'd go back to the more expensive fruit.
Cereal: I've been buying store-brand for years because it doesn't taste that different to me. VERDICT: I'd stick with store brand.
Vegetables: I buy what's on offer but it's getting monotonous. VERDICT: I'd like a bit more variety.
Crisps (or potato chips or potatoe if your name is Dan Quayle): Store brand just aren't as good but are half the price of the premium brand, which I buy when I can find it more cheaply. VERDICT: I'd go back to the premium brand.
Juice: My daughter likes apple and is happy with the store brand. My son loves Tropicana orange juice. However, my local Tesco has raised the price to close to £3 after having it on special offer at £2 for forever. So I've switched to the store brand. VERDICT: I'd go back to Tropicana.
Wine: Never a good idea to skimp on this. Better to not drink at all. VERDICT: I like my chablis.
Meat: I've tried the cheaper cuts and yuck! VERDICT: Give me sirloin any day. Or I might become a vegetarian.
Milk: I go for the cheapest brand. VERDICT: I'd still go for the cheapest brand.
Face cream: There's controversy over whether any of these work, no matter the price. The best thing I could do for my skin was to stay out of the sun 30 years ago. I never splurged but now I buy Superdrug face cream. I still have wrinkles. VERDICT: Maybe I'll get a facelift or wear a paper bag.
Toothpaste: I'm trying the store brand. Seems the same. VERDICT: I might stay with the store brand.
Clothing: Again, I never splurged. Now I just buy less. VERDICT: I'd sure like to spend more.
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8 comments:
Great list. I'm not the shopper in the family because The Missus is so picky about what she wants. I just buy the cheapest thing I can find.
We're not on quite that austere of an Austerity budget yet. I have lobbied for and won permission to buy generic toilet paper and I'm happy to stick with this. I've also made a few other changes to cheaper or store brands for things like laundry detergent, deodorant, and shampoo.
Do you have an Aldi and a Lidl by you? We have a Lidl but no Aldi, which is too bad because Aldi seems to have much better produce.
I've gone for eggs at the market as they are only 80p for half dozen. Free range but not organic, and even cheaper than the supermarket ones.
We've been on an austerity budget for years so this recession is nothing new to me! We don't economise on toilet paper (cheap stuff never lasts as long) but mostly I buy own brands. Aqueous Cream from Superdrug or Boots was recently voted as the best and cheapest face cream of all. Guess what I've been buying all these years?!!!!
Well, several million others are now in the same boat but you have a head start on them! I worked with a girl who earned shedloads but would put her soap into the airing cupboard for months so that it dried out harder and it lasted longer - I dare say she never saw a flippin soap bubble and she could have gotten away with using a brick instead! But cost cutting is something we can all do and whilst it's okay to cost cut when you have the option, I can see that it is hard when it isn't a choice and is enforced through circumstances. May the road rise up to meet you in 2009...... X
Ah,yes, the austerity budget. At least now you know what you like and what you don't. That should be some consolation, right?
No, I didn't think so. I personally would sell my soul for some out of season tropical fruit. But...not gonna happen.
fred: You're like most men I know.
-ann: I have both an Aldi and a Lidl. I tried shopping at Lidl but it was too much like an eastern bloc shop pre glasnost.
Trixie: good idea!
flowerpot: I found aqueous cream for 99p at our local Home Bargain shop.
MOB: The soap in the airing cupboard might be taking it bit too far.
RC: Wouldn't a ripe mango be nice?
I've been doing something similar to you now I'm an OAP and on pension. I'm not going to pretend that I like all of the store *basics* and I've found it can be a false economy if I end up throwing out things like fruit that rots before it ripens!
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