Another shopping post...Ilona style

I'm jumping for joy, the little job I had to do turned into a great money saving excercise. First I had to dig the car out of the snow, that took an hour. Then I gave my friends a lift to the station, they are on a train to London, probably arrived by now.

On the return journey I made a split second decision. Although I don't need to buy any more food, I remembered my mantra, 'pop in if you are passing, you never know what you might find'. I'm glad I did that left turn at the traffic lights and popped in the little Asda store which used to be a Netto.

Heading straight for the reduced, looking for the yellow stickers, I found 2 pints of milk for 40p so I bought two. I'm going to have a go at making yogurt in a slow cooker, I've seen the instructions on a web site somewhere. Then I was a bit naughty, and picked up an apple pie baked instore, at half price 50p. I don't do any baking myself so this will be a nice treat.

Next door is Poundstretcher, had to have a look in there didn't I, as I was passing. Lucky I did because I remembered I had to get my seed potatoes, need to start them chitting. Got two bags, ten in each for £3. That will give me all my spuds for the summer. Also picked up a packet of courgette seeds, and cucumber as well, 50p each.

When I got to the the till to pay, the young lady asked if I wanted any coffee, it was a special price as it is about to go out of date. Normally if I hear the words, 'would you like', my immediate response is no thank you. But then I thought, hang on a minute, it is Nescafe which I drink anyway, and they are selling it for £1.29 instead of £2.59. A good saving so I took two. I know I didn't go in for that, but I see it as an investment, £2.60 saved, and enough coffee to last six months

So far so good. There's more........Next place on the way back, no going off route, is Barnes Cash and Carry. Worth a look, they know me there now. As I went in I said to the manager I have come to look, to see if there is anything that I absolutely must have. I might walk out empty handed if there is nothing.

After carefully studying the prices and not finding anything, I noticed they had reduced the cheese (345 grms) in the chiller cabinet. Last week it was £2, this week it is £1. Blooming good buy, it's mature which is what I like. I think mild cheese is awful no taste, yuk. Had to have three packs. It is just about to come out of date but it will be fine in my nice lovely clean fridge :o)


Just as I was about to leave, the manager came to me carrying a pack of juice drinks. He said with a grin on his face, 'I've found something that you absolutely must have, all these for £1'. I said, 'what all of them' Yep, a whole carton, 30 drinks, for £1. These are selling at £1.98 for 6 at Asda. He was right, I had to have them, ha ha.

I am loving this bargain hunting lark, it gives me a buzz when I drop lucky on something. I think what helps me is that I am not afraid to tell people what I want, and also let them know I want it cheap. If I go in an unfamiliar supermarket I will ask where the reduced counter is, I don't care if they look down their nose at me. The lady on the veg department in Tesco tells me when she is going to do some marking down, then I hang around and wait for her to bring the trolley out. Now the cash and carry man is looking for bargains for me.

I see them as my support network, they probably see me as that dotty woman who's always on the scrounge. I don't care as long as I get what I want. Toodle pip.