Investing time in shopping pays dividends

I might upset some people with this post. Money saving is a big part of my life, second nature if you like. I also have a scavenger instinct, and will do what it takes to get the most for my money. This blog is a record of how I juggle, how I prioritise my spending, so I have enough money for what is important to me. I invest time in searching out the best food buys, saving my pennies for my car, internet, cats, and days out.

Last night I went to Tesco at 7pm, it took me two hours to do my shopping. I took a notebook and pen, and calculator with me, to work out the best deal, and I recorded every item I put in my trolley to make sure the total spent was within my budget. It was a round trip of 11 miles, but as you read on, you will see that with the massive savings I made, I was well justified to use a bit of petrol, I couldn't have done it without a car.

Just a few pics here of the sort of reductions you can get, if you shop late, and are flexible in what you eat. My only criteria is that I won't eat meat, and I severely limit my junk intake, and I'm talking about one naughty item a month here.

Fruit, I got plenty of fruit this time, I was lucky. It was grab grab as others were after the same things. Melons reduced from £2 to 20p. I can't afford to buy this normally.

Two big bags of brussel sprouts. I can't get enough of sprouts, yum.

Potato salad. Someone suggested making it. I would if I could make it cheaper than this. It's price first for me I'm afraid. Yes this might have a few addatives, but it's not as if I am living on the stuff. A bit won't hurt me.

Carrots, I love carrots. If potatoes are more expensive than carrots, get carrots instead.

Eight yogurts for 82p. Yes I will get round to making my own eventually, but these were too good to pass by. I would definately not pay full price for these, the packaging is a con, think you are getting a lot, but it's all plastic and cardboard, but for this price it's a one off, probably never again.

Salad, can't get enough of this, I'm like a rabbit, ha ha.

My fridge is full. I have too much here, but I will make up some stews in plastic pots and freeze it. The bread is already in the freezer below.

How much did I spend and how much did I save is the crucial point. I had a £4 voucher to cash in as well. Total cost of my shop at normal prices was £75.13, I paid £31.59. Saving £43.54. Whoopeeeee. The full list is on my food diary, link at the top of the page. My shopping is a little bit costly this time because I bought four bottles of booze for Christmas, this is to share with my friend.

So why should this post upset some people? There is a lot of Tesco bashing going on at the moment, especially after the Panorama documentary about supermarket price increases. But as far as I can see they are all at it. It is up to us all to wise up. Yes I know, busy life style, haven't got time, but investing in time in shopping saves money. Tesco won't beat me. If they stopped reducing I would go elsewhere, I have no loyalty to them.

Don't forget Super Scrimpers tonight on Channel 4. It's a Christmas edition, I doubt I will be on it, they rang me up and asked if I had any money saving tips for Christmas. I said, yes, just one, 'don't do Christmas, cancel it.' Ha ha. They still have some unseen footage of me, don't know if they will slot a clip in there, we shall see. I will watch it after it has gone out on 4oD. Toodle pip.