Monday 5 September 2022

Comparing baskets


 Reducing my food spend has taken a lot of effort!  I've changed what I eat (less meat, cheaper fish, more seasonal vegetables) but it's not easy.  I've changed what I buy, where I buy it and how much I buy.

I decided to look at an on-line order which I had from Sainsbury 9th September 2021 and work out what the same thing would cost today.  At the time I had one on-line order each month.  I've excluded anything which is not available now.

9th Sept 2020

4th Sept 2022

% increase

Sainsbury's British Baking Potatoes x4

£0.45

£0.45

0

4vElmlea Single Alternative to Cream 270ml

£4.00

£5.80

45

3 Dairy Pride Semi-Skimmed Longer Lasting UHT Milk 1 Litre

£1.65

£2.25

26

Sainsbury's British Fresh Chicken Skin on Thighs 1kg

£1.95

£2.60

33

Sainsbury's Super Seeds White Farmhouse, Taste the Difference 800g

£1.10

£1.35

22

Sainsbury's Sunflower & Pumpkin bread, Taste the Difference 800g

£1.10

£1.35

22

Sainsbury's British Parsnips Loose 1 kg

£1.15

£1.15

0

Sainsbury's British Carrots 1kg

£0.43

£0.45

4

Sainsbury's British White Potatoes 2.5kg

£1.09

£1.09

0

Marigold Swiss Vegetable Bouillon 150g

£2.00

£2.00

0

2 Very Lazy Chopped Garlic 200g

£3.10

£3.40

10

2 Sainsbury's Oatcakes, Highland 300g

£1.80

£1.80

0

2 Sainsbury's Tuna Chunks in Spring Water 3x80g (3x60g*)

£4.00

£4.00

0

Sainsbury's Petits Pois 1.8kg

£2.50

£2.50

0

2 Mary Ann's Dairy Mature Cheddar Cheese 900g

£8.00

£8.00

0

Sainsbury's Original Dry Cider 4x440ml

£2.00

£2.20

10

Sainsbury's Fairtrade Italian Style Coffee, Strength 4 227g

£2.30

£2.65

15

Sainsbury's Fairtrade Intense Roast Coffee 227g

£2.30

£2.65

15

2 Sainsbury's White Granulated Sugar 1kg

£1.50

£1.30

-13

Carrs Breadmaker Wholemeal Flour 1.5kg

£1.50

£1.80

20

Sainsbury's Mushroom Cup Soup 4x23g

£0.70

£0.85

21

Sainsbury's Vegetable Cup Soup 4x23.5g

£0.70

£0.85

21

Sainsbury's Minestrone Cup Soup 4x23.5g

£0.70

£0.85

21

2 Sainsbury's Cider Vinegar 500ml

£2.40

£2.40

0

4 La Doria Ratatouille 390g

£2.80

£4.00

42


Total

£61.22

£68.74

12


So my personal food inflation rate would be just over 12%.  One thing has reduced in price - granulated sugar - but I don't know which items were on special offer at the time.  

I don't often shop in Sainsbury's now unless I want to have my frozen food delivered and I usually use Lidl instead.  And I'm sure you realise that even then, I did not get all my food from Sainsbury!

Saturday 3 September 2022

Food spending



 As I said on this post, I have a Very Big Project in mind which I won't be telling you about for some considerable time.  It is going to take quite a bit of financial planning so at the moment I am just trying to save, save, save.  I'm getting back on this blog to make myself more accountable!

I decided that my food budget for 2022 would be £1825.   I know that looks an odd number but it is actually £5 per day averaged through the year.  Experience has taught me that I spend more on food in October, November and December so it's important to save now.  My average daily spend was 

January            £3.65 

February        £4.42

March             £4.98 

April.            £4.69 

May                £4.17

June                £4.07 

July                £4.10 

August            £4.21 

Just for comparison, my average daily spend in 2021 was £6.22 so I think I will give myself a gold star so far this year.  However, I know I will spend more money on food around Christmas so I need to be careful now.