Sharing the Load

Anyone interested in cost-cutting will almost certainly have like-minded friends, so a great way to save money is to shop in pairs. Sharing a car halves the expense of the fuel. Large packs of dry goods often work out cheaper than smaller sizes so can be divided. When fresh produce is sold by the unit, few are exactly the same weight. Some may appear larger but are not necessarily heavier (iceberg lettuce for example) so wherever possible weigh before you buy. Whole cucumbers, bags of onions, boxes of mushrooms, sticks of celery, nets of lemons and satsumas all worth sharing. As long as you both use them, take advantage of 'buy-one-get-one-free' (bogofs) - especially bags of potatoes. and packs of cheese.
Moving beyond the kitchen we can share large economy packs of loo rolls, laundry powder, and certainly divide packets of seeds.
Tip: When the family prefers a branded product (ie cornflakes), buy a cheaper brand and mix some into the favourite replacing into the higher-priced container. Chances are no one will notice. Blending brands also works well with baked beans, coffee etc,.
With non-foods, the cleaning products can take quite a chunk out of the housekeeping. Change to the tried and tested traditional ways by using the very much cheaper storecupboard ingredients - vinegar, salt, bicarbonate of soda, lemons - to keep the house clean and fresh.

When sharing foods we get less wrapping, so less to throw away. Feeding the family with home-cooked food, and using natural products to clean the house we not only save, save, save - we are following government guidelines. We do all this to protect the family and the environment. No need ever to mention it is because we really can't afford to do otherwise. A win-win situation don't you think?