Approved Food.

Food is expensive! Especially with a 6ft7 husband with an appetite like a horse (and 2 step children who use the phrase "I'm hungy!" more than any other).

I was made aware recently of  Approved Food. They're bloody brilliant. They sell a tonne of stuff either short-dated, or a little past it's "best buy" date for next to nothing. This includes big brands, supermarket brands and brands I've never heard of.

To put you in the picture, in my last order I got 8 packets of Sainsbury's lemon & coriander cous cous for a measly pound, enough shampoo and condition to last a year for £2.69, and a 2 litre bottle of double concentrate Robinson's for £1.69. I've just placed my next order and I'll be getting a full case of thai red chilli paste sachets for only 49p, 2.5kg of washing powder for £2.97 and 5 packs of tortilla wraps for £1, among other things.

I could be saving even more money if I could resist all the great deals on sweeties and crisps (28 bags of hula hoops for £1.60 anyone?)

Eventually I plan to have a nice big supply of all my non-perishables already in the house so that I can cut my £40-50 weekly shop down to meat/veg/bread/milk/cheese only.

The less I spend on food weekly, the more I can stash away.