Well, it was Saturday at last after a busy week and I had my list of jobs: a visit to the dry cleaners to collect some refreshed items I'd bought from the Oxfam online shop, then LiDL's on the way back, before calling at a house around the corner to pick up a Moses basket that had been freegled.
I was pleased about the Moses basket. I'd seen it listed while I was travelling during the week when I couldn't access my account and I thought it would have gone by the time I was back home again. But it seems no-one wanted it and it was mine for the taking.
It was the first time in years, maybe decades, that I've run errands on a Saturday. Previously that was when you had to do it because you were at work all week. I used to set off every Saturday to the shops with my red and white striped shopping bag, hand-picking my tomatoes and bananas in the greengrocers.
Latterly, with expanded opening hours, I've got into the habit of walking to the shop after finishing work, or relying on deliveries. There is something about going into a shop, though, especially one that is very like a market, especially the kind you get in France, everything fresh and laid out.
LiDL seems to have that feel and, again, it wasn't too busy at Saturday lunchtime, a bit of milling about at the bakery section and a crush at the condiments, but in some aisles I was alone in my browsing and there was no queuing at the checkouts.
I was ready this week, app fully loaded with coupons, offers and freebies, and briefed I marched in to select my sweet treat like an old-timer. I got the purple token this week, too ("you can keep it"), so now I'll be able to release a trolley rather than trailing around a basket on wheels like a learner driver.
I discovered a new element of the app gamification - lucky spins and scratch-cards - I went for both. The app also stores your receipts, great for checking prices, and has a shopping list feature, a good idea for when you suddenly remember you've run out of salt.
The main difference both weeks, though, was the sheer savings! Last week, my inaugural trip, food shopping came in at £19.82 including a box of 210 PG tips at £4.85 (Asda £5.48). This week, food shopping was £21.45. That is around two-thirds of my usual spend.
Tania, my frugal guru, ran a little survey on her vlog and it seems that the average food spend per week for a single person is about £40. Of course, some people will be spending a lot more, and others far less.
Tania was full of glee this week. She's been on a £15 a week challenge and, having succeeded, thinks she will allow an extra tenner a week for things like salmon and basa fish, both of which she really enjoys. She also had a very good tip for making your own cider apple vinegar at home from apple scraps.
I'm in two minds about getting a freezer. One the one hand, there are opportunities for batch cooking, cheaper frozen vegetables and bargains in general. On the other hand, more reliance on electricity and more fuel costs. I've tended much more towards tins and dried foods over the past few years.
I expect Tania will be the deciding factor - she was making frozen yoghurt magnums last week, cheaper and better for you. They looked delicious, too!
