False economy - lesson learned

PolarSkye

PolarSkye

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I lost my job in October and as I'm the primary wage earner it has hit us really hard. As part of our economizing we stopped ordering the dogs' regular food (Chudleys) and just picked up whatever happened to be at the grocery store. Baaaaaaaaaaaad idea. Their previously gorgeous coats became dull, Daisy became very itchy and both of them became quite thin and irritable. Did some price matching and discovered that (kilo for kilo) a 15kg bag of the Chudleys (on which they always do really well) is actually cheaper than the little 1.5kg bags of Waitrose complete. OH even bought them Bakers (yes, I know) but it really upset Dinky's tummy.

So.

Back on the Chudleys and they are looking soooo much better. Also, I've noticed that b/c it's a muesli Daisy eats it much more slowly - which surely must also be better for her tummy.

Lesson learned.

P
 
YasandCrystal said:
Sorry cannot resist to say 'shopping in Waitrose'? We both earn, but I can't afford to shop in there - it's Asda's for me :(
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Hubby works there so we get partner discount - otherwise we couldn't afford it either. Also, now I shop around . . . Waitrose for fresh meat/veg, Asda/Tesco for everything else.

P
 
PolarSkye said:
Hubby works there so we get partner discount - otherwise we couldn't afford it either. Also, now I shop around . . . Waitrose for fresh meat/veg, Asda/Tesco for everything else.

P
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Ah pleased to hear that. I felt that I must be doing something wrong. I use Aldi too - really keenly priced for packs of sliced meats and veg.
 
I buy all my fruit and veg In Lidls far cheaper than tescos. When they were in season I bought whole trays of figs.

Their chicken legs are also cheap for the dogs who have one as an occasional treat, as for cheap wine thats a false economy in my book but have to admit Lidls do some nice ones. Have also bought throws for the sofas for the dogs at £14.99, are a goodsize and quality.
 
I do all my shopping in Aldi or Lidl - I refuse to pay Asda/Morrisons/Tescos' prices when I can almost get exactly the same thing in Aldi or Lidl and my shopping then comes to half the amount.

I went through a phase of buying Aldi's dry dog food, it went straight through them, moved onto Wagg and it was a bit better but not a lot so I buy Chudleys now too, it's only £3 a bag more than the Wagg and the dogs are better off on it
 
Even without discounts, Waitrose essentials are a similar price to Tesco or similar standard products, and generally nicer. For me Waitrose works out cheaper overall than making a separate trip to the Tescos 13 miles away, or the Morrisons/larger Tescos 26 miles away... Have to plan when we need things like bin bags/washing powder as they tend to be where Tescos win.

Within Okehampton even people on benefits will tend to do some shopping at Waitrose as Coop isn't significantly cheaper and Lidl doesn't always have what you need. Bus to Tescos would be pretty difficult- probably about £6 so it would have to be a LOT cheaper to actually save money on fresh produce.

Certainly in a rural area, you tend to shop wherever's closest, because the cost of fuel can wipe out savings if you're not already going that way..
 
I buy my dogfood (raw meat and bones) from landywoods.co.uk and can feed 3 dogs for about £10 per week which is considerably better not only for their health as we were using tinned before but alot cheaper.
Their coats and teeth and overall health has improved no end in the 5 years we have been using it.
Oz :)
 
Yay for Waitrose! My weekly shop is cheaper at Waitrose (before my discount), because the quality is so pants in Tesco I buy the expensive ranges, thus spending more.
 
MiCsarah said:
I actually notice that you have to feed half the amount of more expensive dog food than you do something like wagg
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Glad you said this. It's probably more economical to feed a decent type of food with better protein/meat levels than a poor food. This is the analysis for Chudleys:

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?product=1981&cat=all

It is a red rated food (traffic light system, green being best) IMO. The first ingredient is a cereal.

http://www.petforums.co.uk/dog-health-nutrition/189896-dry-dog-food-index.html

If you want something economical but good quality, it's not the best choice. As MiCsarah said, you're better off feeding better quality/more expensive because you'd feed less.
 
Spudlet said:
Lidl is also great for nice but cheap wine, which lets face it we all need once in a while!:)
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Lidl is dangerous they sell cherry Lambrini trust me try it, its like drinking cherryade and then after three bottles it works (1.99/ bottle when on offer :) )


I warn you to stay away from the boxed cheap wines though. Vomit in a box.
 
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