Yes it is possible...Eat Well, Spend Less!
More often than not you can go to your local grocery store in the UK and find there designated clearance areas with amazing finds!
The first time I saw this, I couldn't believe my eyes! A bag of lettuce reduced from £1 to a mere 1op?! This is insanity! Brilliant insanity! Yes, sometimes you have to fight your way through. There is always that one lady that knows exactly what time things are coming out and exactly what she wants and nothing, not even I or my Turkey at over 6ft tall will stop her from getting it. The feeling is intense at times.
A large part of me feels completely embarrassed of the fact that I'm fighting for my food. Only a little over a year ago, I was buying organic produce in Whole Foods, West Vancouver. And now, look at me, I push, I shove and I am quick, all to get the coveted 10p lettuce which is still very much fresh and perfect for dinner. The other lesser part, the one that doesn't care what anyone thinks, at some point in the process of fighting for that amazing piece of 30p Salmon (reduced from well over £6!) completely takes over the whole of me. Then I become this pre-historic creature fighting for food and survival. "I will not let my final food bill reach £15" is all that fits into my head. And I don't.
My Turkey and I have a fabulous partnership, we divide and conquer. He goes to the bread section. I go to the fridge section. He is a vegetarian, so there is no point for him to go through the fridge bits. He will look at a deliciously fresh and meaty piece of chicken breast and will actually not see it. He once got me some pork pies. Now.. the thing about pork pies... that will probably go on a whole new other posting! No comment for now I suppose. So, he goes for the bready stuff. Bagels, loafs, buns, potato pancakes, croissants, pita... you name it, we have purchased it on clearance.
To be honest, half of the time I would've never bought these things, but the price is amazing and then... the best thing happens. When you reach a certain age, you are in a groove that you like. You feel comfortable in it. You understand it. You control it. This very much extends to food. You start buying things that you know how to cook, how to use, what they taste like, what to expect. Outside of home, at a restaurant it's easy getting out of that groove, after all, you are not the one cooking it, dealing with the smells and cleaning it! But at home, it's a whole other story most of the time. Sometimes we may try a little harder, but the vast majority of us see themselves repeating recipes that we know work, are good, easy and very quick to clean (specially after a long and stressful day at work). Clearance items then provide a forceful escape of your every day home food comfort zone.
Lessons to be learned? Don't be afraid to get something that is very unusual to your normal buy. Push yourself, and don't hold back. It's only food! It's bound to be just fine anyway. Also, it is a bit embarrassing fighting your way to reach for that glorious pack of superbly cheap white seedless grapes, it's easier said than done, but swallow your pride and reach in. Then... with the money saved, walk into a marvellously beautiful shoe shop and go nuts! At least that's the plan for me when the business starts settling.
Best buy yet? Sun Cream! 50spf, spray, great brand. £13 down to just £3.
No comments:
Post a Comment