Great British Budget Menu

[annie, Glasgow]

I heard 2 of my sisters discussing this BBC programme which was screened last evening. Did anyone else watch it?? I have started to watch it on I Player. Makes you realise how lucky many of us are.

[cornish girl, falmouth]

But how many people that we saw in those programme can afford to shop at Waitrose, they are having to stretch their money and I would hardly think their budgets are the same as ours, and yes I do shop in Lidle but as cheap as they are they still don't carry a full range of stock and I have to go elsewhere for the rest. CG

[Yogini, Waterlooville]

I cannot understand why so many people think Waitrose is expensive - I have compared prices with Tesco and Lidl on several occasions and you have to check carefully - the quality of the meat (less fat) and fruit and veg is far superior - it tastes better and the fruit and veg last a good 7-10 days compared to rotten tomatoes in 2 days at other supermarkets! They also now have price match and so some brand names are the same price. if you sign up for a Waitrose card (not credit card just a loyalty) you get 10% off certain items these vary on a weekly basis - if there is a coffee shop you can also have a free coffee and a free newspaper (Mail or Telegraph) if you spend over £5. They often have a £10 meal deal which is also very good value.
ps. I am not connected to Waitrose just wish people would stop trying to say the are expensive.

I worked with someone who had worked for a supplier of salad and vegetables as a student. The stock sent to Waitrose was fresher than than for other supermarkets.

I buy a few bits in the Waterlooville shop, and I do think it is more expensive that the other supermarkets. I shop in the evenings, so sometimes manage to get discounted items. Last night, most of the things on my shopping list were reduced!

[annie, Glasgow]

Lucky you Annie.
Nearest Waitrose to us is about 40 miles away , we did get a meal deal from a Waitrose on the motor way not bad for a £10.
Usual Supermarkets round here and Aldi of course , we shop at them all depending on what offers are on?
Have you tried the Fillet Steak from Aldi , we were pleasently suprised....Taffy

Hi Taffy

The supermarket choice in my area is not great. Both Aldi and Waitrose are off the beaten track. I am not loyal to any supermarket and like everyone else shop around. I do use one of the major players for home delivery of store cupboard items when they send discount coupons through.

I buy more than 90% of my red meat from a butcher in Aberfoyle - we have just been there today, a nice drive, great scenery, excellent afternoon tea and the price of his meat has not risen this year.

Annie

[Taffy, Wales]

Hi Taffy

My secret is out - I use Aldi and Waitrose.

Annie

Lucky you Annie.
Nearest Waitrose to us is about 40 miles away , we did get a meal deal from a Waitrose on the motor way not bad for a £10.
Usual Supermarkets round here and Aldi of course , we shop at them all depending on what offers are on?
Have you tried the Fillet Steak from Aldi , we were pleasently suprised....Taffy

[annie, Glasgow]

Waitrose 40% dearer on average than Aldi according to Which .
Aldi increasing sales by 30% or more opening more stores , there red Wine winning awards?
And Aldi use some of the same fresh food suppliers as M&S.
Waitrose must be better as it cost more ....Taffy

Hi Taffy

My secret is out - I use Aldi and Waitrose.

Annie

[Taffy, Wales]

It's not the first supermarket that comes to mind if you have to shop on a budget, same as M&S; good free advertising for them though.

Waitrose 40% dearer on average than Aldi according to Which .
Aldi increasing sales by 30% or more opening more stores , there red Wine winning awards?
And Aldi use some of the same fresh food suppliers as M&S.
Waitrose must be better as it cost more ....Taffy

[annie, Glasgow]

It's not the first supermarket that comes to mind if you have to shop on a budget, same as M&S; good free advertising for them though.

Now that we have given plenty of free advertising for Waitrose, we have to remember that there many parts of the UK that do not have a Waitrose.

Annie

[Diva18, UK]

I cannot understand why so many people think Waitrose is expensive - I have compared prices with Tesco and Lidl on several occasions and you have to check carefully - the quality of the meat (less fat) and fruit and veg is far superior - it tastes better and the fruit and veg last a good 7-10 days compared to rotten tomatoes in 2 days at other supermarkets! They also now have price match and so some brand names are the same price. if you sign up for a Waitrose card (not credit card just a loyalty) you get 10% off certain items these vary on a weekly basis - if there is a coffee shop you can also have a free coffee and a free newspaper (Mail or Telegraph) if you spend over £5. They often have a £10 meal deal which is also very good value.
ps. I am not connected to Waitrose just wish people would stop trying to say the are expensive.

It's not the first supermarket that comes to mind if you have to shop on a budget, same as M&S; good free advertising for them though.

[annie, Glasgow]

I cannot understand why so many people think Waitrose is expensive - I have compared prices with Tesco and Lidl on several occasions and you have to check carefully - the quality of the meat (less fat) and fruit and veg is far superior - it tastes better and the fruit and veg last a good 7-10 days compared to rotten tomatoes in 2 days at other supermarkets! They also now have price match and so some brand names are the same price. if you sign up for a Waitrose card (not credit card just a loyalty) you get 10% off certain items these vary on a weekly basis - if there is a coffee shop you can also have a free coffee and a free newspaper (Mail or Telegraph) if you spend over £5. They often have a £10 meal deal which is also very good value.
ps. I am not connected to Waitrose just wish people would stop trying to say the are expensive.

My sister shops regularly in Waitrose. It is a quieter supermarket with a nice ambience. She often shops there with her autistic son. They both have Waitrose cards - so free tea for them. The staff are excellent. They know her son can become agitated on occasion. If they see her approaching a checkout - they immediately open up a new checkout for her.

She constantly sings the praises of Waitrose fruit and vegetables and on one memorable occasion - she bought multiple lamb joints marked down to 10% of the original price.

Her motto: If you know your prices - and she does- Waitrose can be very good value and the quality is far superior.

Annie

[Carolann, Havant Hampshire]

I cannot understand why so many people think Waitrose is expensive - I have compared prices with Tesco and Lidl on several occasions and you have to check carefully - the quality of the meat (less fat) and fruit and veg is far superior - it tastes better and the fruit and veg last a good 7-10 days compared to rotten tomatoes in 2 days at other supermarkets! They also now have price match and so some brand names are the same price. if you sign up for a Waitrose card (not credit card just a loyalty) you get 10% off certain items these vary on a weekly basis - if there is a coffee shop you can also have a free coffee and a free newspaper (Mail or Telegraph) if you spend over £5. They often have a £10 meal deal which is also very good value.
ps. I am not connected to Waitrose just wish people would stop trying to say the are expensive.

[hat776, malta]

When we were children in the fifties we didn't have the media to contend with and there weren't all the luxuries we now take for granted. Just think the choice of Cereals , crisps and frozen foods we have . We never even imagined things like Cereal Bars and bottled water. I don't even remember having the type of steaks and fish we now buy.
It doesn't take much skills to put a cheap cut of meat and some veg and simmer them as a casserole. Or, as the Italians do, cook pasta.

[Catch us if you can!, London]

I tell you what you do have to work out carefully, that is dishwasher tablets sometimes its cheaper to buy two smaller boxes than one big one. I go to Waitrose when i buy my meat, expensive but at least you can enjoy your lamb chops and they are not cut with a laser beam. I make all my own meals from scratch, always have even though I worked full time, I enjoy cooking I suppose that makes a big difference. I have 5 vegetarian friends to lunch this week and have spent an enjoyable afternoon looking at my veggie cook book.

[annie, Glasgow]

James Martin was trying to do a budget meal for the OAP gentleman and was filmed shopping in...................Waitrose! FGS!!

I love your abbreviation

I noticed Richard Corrigan had a Waitrose bag as well...... so it is not just the politicians who are out of touch

I occasionally shop in Waitrose with my sister but again she always seems to know when they sell peppers at 49p/kg.

Angela Hartnett did acknowledge that you needed good maths skills to work out best buys. I was disappointed that none of the chefs used a slow cooker with their families.

Annie

[Diva18, UK]

James Martin was trying to do a budget meal for the OAP gentleman and was filmed shopping in...................Waitrose! FGS!!