I really only needed a couple of things this week, so my shopping was very minimal. Somehow though I spent £10.15. The shopping did also include another packet of cough sweets, but we tipped these out into the little pocket in Alan's car, as that's where we mostly eat them.
When I took this photo I really had a thought about the cost of the various items. Should I be buying cheaper eggs, should I have bought some more of the cheaper washing up liquid that I have been using and not really liking?
And then I saw what it said on the bottle of washing up liquid ... 'Cleaning Without Compromise', and that made me realise that while I do want to be saving money, I want to do so without making too many compromises on the things that I buy.
To achieve this in a sensible way I have decided to really narrow down what I buy, not having a cupboard full of all sorts of different things that I have perhaps bought on a bit of a whim. But buying a core stock of the things that I enjoy eating regularly and purchasing new packs etc when things are on offer or when I really have to. Of course I can't really remember what is at the back of the lower part of my food cupboard yet, so that could be a nice surprise and one that hopefully feeds into this way of keeping myself stocked with food on a budget.
It's funny how such a small shopping 'haul' can get me thinking so much isn't it, but nice that it helped me to make a decision.
The reason we were in Booths was that Alan wanted a bacon butty and a coffee from there, so while he was in the queue to place our order I browsed the upstairs book table and while tidying it up I managed to find myself what looks to be a really interesting book.
(Yes, I came home with a tomato ketchup and a spare serviette too.)
That's what it's called, as the title is only written on the spine of the book. It was originally published in 1947 and then reprinted a year later. So all the wartime information should be fresh in the writer's memory. After a bit of research I found that The McFlannels was a Scottish radio series in the 30s, 40s and 50s. I've not read it yet, but I'm thinking The Archers, but set in a Glasgow tenement building.
It was when I saw the chapter headings that I decided that even though I'm saving money, I would spare a whole pound for a book. It's actually the first one that I have bought for quite a long time, I've been very good recently. 😁
Sue xx
The book sounds good. I was thinking the other day how much things have gone up. Even our local medical centre sells used books and it used to be paperbacks 50p hardbacks £1 now it's £1.50 per book (paperback or hardback). I don't know if you have a local home bargains but they sell Jakemans too. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteNo we don't have a Home Bargains. We are in a small town with only the three supermarkets being well known shops, but they do sell these cough sweets at Sainsbury's at £1 which is a bit cheaper. We do have a Costa Coffee machine in the Post Office, not that I've ever used it.
DeleteI feel incredibly lucky that our community centre sells books for 25p for paperbacks and 50p for hardback ones. I've had some great finds. Even better is the book nook at the park. They are totally free although I do like to donate ones back too. It's a great way to recycle.
DeleteAngie
That sounds lovely. I've heard of these free lending library's where you take a book and donate books back but we don't have any in our area sadly.
DeleteWe have a little 'Book House', a house shaped box on a stand on the green on the housing estate our Welsh flat is on. It's been really well used since the houses went up, with people donating and taking books for free, including me when we were there.
DeletePs I know £1.50 isn't much for a book but it's still 3x the cost when they used to be 50p.
ReplyDeleteOh yes I agree. I wonder what this book sold for new in 1948?
DeleteOh I wonder too. It's fab when you find an old read esp if it tells ya what life was like back then. I like learning about that.
DeleteI just love learning something new, especially from a book. 😀
DeleteSimple living is best. I wonder how much you have saved over time.
ReplyDeleteI know I have saved a small fortune using all the things I learnt very early on out of necessity. Watching the pennies really does work and helps you to save the pounds. 🙂
DeleteYou're doing a sterling job Sue. Spending analysis is very important even if you have money to spare. Stops the impulse buys and of course 'money saved is money earned'.
ReplyDeleteExactly, money saved is definitely money earned, I couldn't agree more. 😀
DeleteWe don't compromise on food, we've reached an age where the quality and principles behind what we eat is important to us and luckily we can afford them both. We would rather have less of something than buy a product that doesn't fit with our ethics. So we always buy free range eggs, I'm still shocked when I see people pick up the caged ones. We try to buy organic veg whenever we find it.
ReplyDeleteI think you've been very restrained with book buying and no doubt the sale will be helping a local cause. A win win! 😁
Eggs is something we definitely don't compromise on. We only buy free range too. We can't afford free range chicken though I wish we could.
DeleteNutella, Coffee & Eggs...we stick to the ones we love coz we know there better quality. We won't compromise on them. Anything else we go for the cheaper option if possible. The wonky fruit and veg, own branded snacks & cleaning supplies there all the cheaper options for us 😄 I even have my kids looking for the better value for money options lol
I do feel sad when I see people pick up eggs from caged birds, but I do understand that sometimes other eggs may be outside of their current budget. It's not something I would ever do though, or buy barn eggs. My absolute limit is organic free range, as they are the birds that get the most space throughout their short lives. The upstairs book table is currently raising funds for the local Air Ambulance.
DeleteIn 1965/66 Penguin paperbacks were mostly 3s.6d. I should know I bought lots in those days. Another Susan (but older and not necessarily wiser).
ReplyDeleteI wonder what 3s 6d would equate too now 🤔. I think you got more for your money back then. I still remember buying 10p mix 😋
DeleteIn todays money 3s 6d should be equal to £4.80 for a Penguin paperback, but I think they are quite a bit more than that!! My son definitely got a lot of sweets in a 10p mix even in the 80s.
DeleteThat book was a good spot - sounds fascinating - look on amazon £25+!
ReplyDeletemissed out 'some are' £25+
DeleteWow, I had no idea!! 😀
DeleteThe typeface alone would sell that book to me!
ReplyDeleteLike Jane, we'd rather not compromise our ethics with any purchases - food, cleaning stuff and clothes - if we can't afford/get it secondhand, I'd rather go without that resort to something unethical! xxx
Yes, there was something about the book straight away that caught my attention. Yes, I feel exactly the same way now more than ever, I want any money that I do have to spend to be as kind to the planet, and me, as possible.
DeleteThe book sounds really interesting. Maybe you'll pick up some useful tips.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, I am always open to learning new things ... especially money saving ones.
DeleteWe stick to brands we like too. I remember years ago when I and many of my friends were on very tight student budgets; at lunch one friend handed round 'value' supermarket yoghurts for dessert. I accepted it and ate it politely, but it realised then that I'd rather do without than spend what money I had on some of the cheaper products. 'Value' minced beef, and eggs from caged hens come to mind!
ReplyDeleteExactly, I think it's better to have slightly less of something and really enjoy it, than have lots and just tolerate it. Better for our health too where food is concerned.
DeleteBut I do remember being a young Mum and having no choice but to buy quantity over quality in order to keep my boys fed. We have to know when to compromise, and rejoice in the time when we no longer need to.
Over the years (when cash has been limited) I’ve found that buying cheaper washing up liquid that doesn’t ‘do the job’ is not worth the hassle and bad feelings compared to buying a slightly more expensive brand that does what it’s supposed to do - even when diluted to stretch it further. Buying several on special stretches the dollar even further.
ReplyDeleteOf course principles/ethics where money & edible goods are concerned is another matter entirely.
I used to always buy a quality washing up liquid and dilute it, strangely I don't remember when I stopped doing this and why. But I am now leaving 'the dark side'. :-)
DeleteI'm sure I remember reading one of your previous blog posts and it was to do with saving and you used the washing up liquid that was in the lid of the bottle. You put the lid in your water and it gave you enough to do a round of dishes 😀
DeleteYes, I always do this. I rinse out the bottle and drop the lid into the water while the tap is running. Nothing escapes me ... I've paid for it after all.😄
DeleteThere are some things I will not compromise on due to taste or the way they clean. There are enough other products to save on that I don't worry much about these being slightly more costly.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Yes, that is a really good way of looking at it. Do the things that are important to us and our ethics when we can.
DeleteThat books sounds like a great find. There are a few things I buy because I prefer their taste or effectiveness over other brands I've tried.
ReplyDeleteYes, while I am happy to eat most cheap baked beans and marmalades I cannot eat very cheap bread anymore. It's a question of finding what suits each of us isn't it.
DeleteThe book sounds an interesting find...don't keep us in suspense too long and tell us how you find it.
ReplyDeleteI'll bump it to the top of the 'to be read' pile just for you. :-)
DeleteThe book looks like a great find. Simplifying what we buy in the way of groceries etc.is a great thing to be reminded of, especially perhaps with the Christmas season approaching rapidly , it's so easy to get carried away........
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
I am definitely going to try and NOT get carried away this year, it's oh so easy isn't it.
DeleteI think that is the knub of frugality/. Not getting what you don't need/want so you can afford what you really want to get - including more expensive but better quality washing up liquid!! xx
ReplyDeleteYes, I think I've been working gradually towards this all year, while I've been eating up and using up everything that I have in the cupboards. 🙂
DeleteThose Jakemans lozenges are really soothing for the winter aren't they. I always try to keep a bag in the cupboard. I agree about not compromising your principles about buying eggs. If I can't get free range then barn eggs will do at a push but otherwise I'll go without.
ReplyDeleteI thought about you this lunchtime when we went for a hot drink. My cappuccino came with 2 sachets of sugar which I instantly popped into my bag to take home ;)
Angie
They really clear the airways too. 😀
DeleteFree range organic are my only choice for eggs, while I'm eating them. I think I bought free range once this year but I wasn't happy, it was because promised Mum some fairy cakes and there were no organic eggs available. 🫤 We all do the best we can in the limitations that we set ourselves. We'll done on the sugar. 😄