First shopping haul of 2025 in low spend January

[@Jana-wz7dr]

Dark and dreary and wet morning here in Vancouver and it was great to find your video with crazy happy Luna this morning. She sure responded to the word puppies. Adorable girl. I am sure she had a fun day and slept like a log after.

[@irenebaker8263]

Thank you Luna for bringing a smile to me!

[@AlisonC-q3i]

I've found that when buying herbs and spices there's nothing cheaper than either the world food section of the supermarket or shops that local Asians go to. In supermarkets you can get about 10 grams of a herb or spice from Schwartz or own brand in a little glass bottle but for the same price in the world food section or Asian/oriental shop you get a great big bag . When we go to London we always stock up on herbs and spices ,same goes for things like rice and tins and lots of other things too like soy sauce etc , ethnic shops are great .

[@angelapitkin7097]

The South Asian shops in Luton also sell bags of nuts at very reasonable prices and their sweets are to die for, they are also so pleased to see you and make you feel very welcome

[@traceyh8660]

Oh Luna is adorable. That brought a huge smile to my face. Thank you. 🩶🐕

[@cathydyer3774]

0:11 Lovely Luna. 🐕😁. Hi Ali I like the Tesco Pro complete care toothpaste. It is only £1 and it has Xylitol in it. If you watch dentist Dr Ellie Phillips she sings the praises of Xylitol for a good mouth microbiome. There is also a Pro Complete Sensitive toothpaste which I have not tried. 🦷🦷🙂.

[@MadisonBriggsArtchick]

Enjoyed your color coordinated video today, Ali! Luna is such a critter! Thanks for sharing her with us! Look forward to your full Luna adventures video at some point. Enjoy!

[@richards5280]

-11c here in Denver, Colorado this morning….🥶🥶🥶 Went grocery shopping first thing today and spent $53 on what seemed like nothing - I definitely do bargain-hunt and watch sale flyers/apps, but everything just keeps going up! Loved the Luna zoomies!! 😆👍

[@JackieAustin-vq9br]

Hoping we can have a whole video about Luna sometime soon, we have all fallen in love with her!

[@gwenmorris9618]

Luna is just so adorable! She really made me laugh!! I wouldn't be without my silly doggie - I've had a rescue dog from Bosnia for 2 years now and my life hasn't been the same since!!! 😂 I live on my own so she's such great company and fun - getting her was the best decision I've made in a very long time. Thanks for another helpful video - I'm trying for a low spend January too. Watch this space!!! 🤞xx

[@magdapietrzak9031]

Luna is a sweet cute dog. Silly in cutest way possible.

[@AB-hs4cd]

Luna is very energetic! can see why you need to keep her entertained, she looks like great fun! Just a few suggestions - would a fresh pineapple be an idea, I bought one with the top cut off for 80p, prepped and froze it in chunks (seems to freeze quite well) and with fish being so expensive, if anyone has a local fishmonger, may be worth checking for offers as long as you can be flexible - found smaller mackerel for 20p a fish recently (and they still do all the gutting etc for you). Have a lovely weekend.

[@aliliveswellonless]

Yes when I find fresh pineapple reduced or on offer I do this. Sadly we don't have a fishmonger any more in Stirling, just the fish counter in Morrisons and Waitrose. I used to have a fish van come round at my old house but not seen/heard anything here yet

[@AnneManley]

Love Luna! What joy she must bring to you, Ali! I so enjoyed this video - love seeing the different products that Scotland offers. Sometimes one just HAS to buy name brand products (Lea & Perrins, etc.). I try to buy store brands as often as possible, but there are name brand products I will not scrimp on but, hopefully, will be able to purchase them when they are 'on sale' (on offer). Thanks for another great video! Extra videos coming! Yay! Stay warm! Many blessings from Ontario, Canada, as always.

[@plot1895]

Good morning. Dry cold here today but beautiful. Have a good weekend.

[@carolineskipper6976]

Luna obviously LOVES the puppies!!!! You are so right about pork- it's so hard to get it just right! I tend to get belly pork and simmer it till it's falling apart before turning it into something specific. Your willingness to turn 'beef?' into 'pork shoulder' because that's what was on offer is a key part of frugal shopping. Go with an open mind, and see what's there. For Christmas I was gifted a slow cooker for the first time ever- and today marks my first attempt to use it. I'm using a published recipe today because I'm not sure how it will turn out - but once I've got hte hang of it I shall enjoy using it as a cheap way to cook lots of family favourites!

[@aliliveswellonless]

I love my slowcooker. It's really good for those cheaper cuts of meat but I also cook whole chickens too :-)

[@judithmorganjudyteen]

You'll love it. I was nervous at first thinking it would 'boil dry '. But it doesn't 😂

[@jillchew-tetlaw3388]

Hi Ali, I can remember when mackerel was cheap (showing my age again). The pork shoulder will be delicious done in your slow cooker, we always do it that way. Luna brought a huge smile to my face today. Hope she enjoyed day care.

[@kithale316]

Get yourself a big bottle of white vinegar and a spray bottle. I use a 1/3 vinegar to water ratio. Also in Fife Poundland Fairy WUL is £1 atm and it's likely the same price in Stirling. I got myself a heatpad for sitting in the lounge at night. It uses a little electricity and keeps me and the dogs warm. 💓

[@katmayful]

Organic is the way.. More expensive but better for your health.. Cut out the rubbish.. Crisps cereal and hot dogs.. Buying Dairy without the Arlo.stamp on.. They are in the scheme where they feed the cows a methane free diet.. With an added chemical..Which is rediculous.. We don't need any more chemicals in our food.. So buying Milk And dairy I am organic..thanks Ally for the update.. I'm off to Aldi to search for essentials today.. Happy shopping every one.

[@jillfortune1790]

I so look forward to your videos. Thank you ❤

[@UKAussie269]

Luna is beautiful! 🥰

[@ruthwilkinson9731]

Hi Ali, love your videos, thanks. Random comment here- best tea of the week for me, jumbo fish fingers and mushy peas wrap! Gorgeous, not too expensive and quick and easy too! Xxx

[@lynnoorman2144]

Luna looked so excited to be going to Daycare - bless her - she obviously knew where she was going!!! Great bargain on the meat, well done! Ive had 2 no spend days this week, so pleased with that. One of my buying days was a bargain at the local farm shop - buy a pounds of sausages - get one free! I couldnt resist!

[@johncallan4788]

Hi Ali ! I'm a big fan of the Tesco mackerel fillets (yes, I have expensive tastes) 😀 They make tasty sandwiches, and can also be added to cooked dishes ; like my own, home-made paella. If I had a dog like Luna, I would probably give some to her too ; because she is just adorable!

[@bunnobear]

Luna zoomies, how fun, my sister has a black lab and my gosh they are beautiful dogs.

[@dorothyeaston3393]

Hi Ali, here's a recipe for your slow cooked pork. Slice pork into inch slices, brown in oil and put to one side. In same pan add the following 2 teasp Hot Chilli Powder 1 teasp celery salt (I also add 1 fresh stick) 1/2(half) teasp garlic salt (I add fresh clove too) Half teasp smoked paprika 2 tablespoons Brown sugar 1.5 tablespoons Tomato Sauce 1.5 vinegar Malt or other Half pint boiling water Chicken stock cube Bring back to boil and add pork then slow cook. I don't have slow cooker so just use shallow lasagne dish covered or lidded cast iron frying pan. Oven cook on gas2/3 for 2 hours or use your slow cooker. I use 6 slices to this mixture. Freezes well in portions.

[@aliliveswellonless]

Ooo that sounds delicious!!

[@kathrynboniface3455]

I have to eat fish. The cheapest way is tinned, pilchards, salmon , and sardines are all good buys. Smoked mackerel is a treat.

[@MsSarahJam]

Thanks Ali. It's awfully cold here in Nottingham as well 🥶 ❄️

[@Moonlightshadw1]

It is so expensive to shop these days. We buy the Aldi sensitive baby wipes in the box as they worked out cheaper for us and were pretty strong compared to some. We have them in the camper, kitchen, bathrooms great for a quick wipe over between cleans. I also have a messy 12 year old and a labrahooligan Max so lots of advocates mess and chaos !

[@vivienne3757]

I always put pork in slow cooker, find it cooks better. Love excited Luna, just doing a list for January myself to try cut down expenditure, will go out when weather improves, using up what’s in my freezer xx

[@suenicholls5446]

💕😀xx thanks Ali

[@annier8095]

Ali I use the Tesco's own Worcestershire sauce in place of Lea and Perrins and I find it actually good!

[@aliliveswellonless]

I've not seen it in my Tesco but then it's not a brilliant store despite being a decent size!!

[@angeliquemckee1206]

Oh loved seeing Luna, thanks Ali 😊

[@stanshanks6465]

Smoked mackerel makes a very tasty fish chowder soup.

[@MaureenFinn-r7e]

Hi Ali, loved the Luna video x

[@MarkS-ir6db]

I like listening to your Scottish accent and seeing how long I can go without turning on the closed captions, but I want to understand every word you say and find out your prices of your food haul's . Great video Ali!

[@debbiecharlton1630]

Looking forward to seeing what you do with your garden

[@sheenamcleod3386]

Morning Ali, it is -6.5 c in Falkirk area at 10.20am. Its amazing Stirling is warmer😂😂 Love watching your videos. Keep up the good work❤

[@aliliveswellonless]

This was filmed on Wednesday morning. -6 C here atm but Luna loves it!!

[@sheenamcleod3386]

@aliliveswellonless I did wonder? It's to get colder tonight Ali, we better put another log on the fire😜😊

[@barbaraattwood2744]

Thanks for another great video Ali. I’m still on a low-spend January. I’ve now spent £15 (£12 for my sewing group and £3 on milk and bananas) plus £9.29 on Amazon for a helpful gadget to use when I’m freezing food. The reason Fairy removes stubborn stains is because it’s a bottle of chemicals and is harmful to the environment so I refuse to buy it. Have you tried Tesco’s own dried milk powder? I buy it to use in my bread machine and it’s ok for that.

[@aliliveswellonless]

Yes Tesco's own milk powder is good but my local Tesco doesn't stock it!! Sainsbury's also do their own version but again it's not in stock here. Obviously no demand in Stirling for dried milk!!

[@meltimmins6368]

Luna zoomies!! If you said “walk” my Jack Russell would start to spin in excitement. Or if you picked up his lead and harness even if you weren’t going out it would be tail spins.. so that word wasn’t spoken out loud but spelt W a l k…

[@user-qq9wz9sl1z]

I make kedgeree with the mackerel fillets, delish ❤

[@SusanRowntree-br5oc]

Totally agree Lea & Perin’s is the best , I’ve tried Lidl and not overly keen on

[@sambalina8856]

Hi Ali, watched your video 4 times as only 1 Ad at the end of the video on the first run.. and 1 Ad half way through 3rd video I watched..no idea why I’m not getting Ads at the beginning, it’s only on your channel. Great buy with the Pork, even a hand meat grinder that you screw onto your table would be handy, (shows my age 😊)way cheaper than electric..

[@valerieohora6648]

Luna was hilarious

[@Myhippiehomesteaduk]

Luna is adorable! I watch from both this channel and my Anon channel 😂 one while working and one in the evening, I know how important it is for people to watch from when I had my previous channel ❤ (I had to start over) x

[@rosebeattie8516]

The pork shoulder is a bargain, I portion large cuts of meat up. I’d slice some for stir fry and chop for hot pots and freeze in one or two people portions. I always buy Lidl washing up liquid it very good and a lot cheaper that Fairy. You didn’t say how much you spent.

[@aliliveswellonless]

I say it at the 2 min 9 sec mark. It was a total of £57.15 and I put the 3 amounts from each supermarket on the screen at 3 min 58 secs. Hope this helps :-)

[@Jo_J_]

I can recommend Morrisons sensitive toothpaste. I didn't think i could move away from Sensodyne after using it for years. But it's so costly I changed to the supermarket own brand. No difference.

[@aliliveswellonless]

That's good to know, thanks!

[@meltimmins6368]

It’s scary the difference when you need to buy an emergency item that you’ve ran out of at the local shops. My vehicle was struggling at the garage with its MOT. And I had to rely on the local Coop for washing up liquid and bleach. Normally at Aldi it would be 55p for bleach. But for the Coop bleach it was 90p..

[@Glory3823]

wisdom sensitive is good also Sainsbury own brand i have used before ❤ i too use sensodyne i like wisdom sensitive tooth brushes i can not use normal at all must be sensitive Brushes❤

[@mentalanne]

Lidl's sensitive toothpaste is ok but doesn't foam the same

[@jenniferw1595]

Did you color your hair? You look great!

[@ShereeSharman]

I’m trying Superdrug Pro sensitive toothpaste instead of Sensodyne and have found it ok

[@aliliveswellonless]

I'll check that one out, thanks :-)

[@janestansfield6450]

Luna is such a lovely dog. I am trying to reduce my budget for 2025 and would be interested in what hot drinks you buy. I spend a lot on tea and coffee! Thank you.

[@aliliveswellonless]

I use Scottish Blend teabags (each teabag gets used twice!) and Lidl or Tesco own brand Gold blend. I also have a ton of herbal teas (mostly gifts) but I dry my own mint to make mint tea :-)

[@marymcdonagh8957]

I love Twinnings English blend tea but find the price prohibitively high, now buy Lidl brand which is rather nice and more affordable - I’m a pensioner living in Northern Ireland where at the moment the temperature is -8C. Luna is lovely and I’m certain excellent company. My fur baby is cuddled up beside me whilst I have a cuppa, he keeps me going. ❤

[@janestansfield6450]

@@marymcdonagh8957 Thank you Mary, I will try them.

[@janestansfield6450]

@@aliliveswellonless Thank you Ali, I will try the teabag tip!

[@kombi_studio]

Here in Australia, Aldi sells a sensitive toothpaste. My husband says it tastes very similar to Sensodyne. And is a lot cheaper.

[@aliliveswellonless]

Thanks! I'll check that one out :-)

[@dorothyeaston3393]

By the way I don't know how mackerel is becoming so expensive. High population in Scottish waters.

[@aliliveswellonless]

I know, it used to be the cheap fish!! Catching fresh mackerel was a bucket list item I ticked off a few years ago when I was on holiday in Northern Ireland. It tasted amazing!!

[@lemonteapot1061]

Luna is so funny 😂❤

[@lynnecomb8536]

Lidl smoked mackerel fillets are cheaper than Tesco I find. X

[@sarahmacrae8277]

They were 2.19 last week for a 3 pack

[@aliliveswellonless]

My Lidl didn't have any this time. They didn't have any garlic either!

[@ChristineMckenzie-m2g]

Lovely Luna😂😂😂❤❤

[@kathleensmith9660]

Great breakfast viewing Ali! I agree with the Lea & Perrins sauce mind I get mine from Iceland on a Tuesday when over 60’s save 10% off their in store shopping ( take some I’d to prove your age mind)

[@aliliveswellonless]

I'm not old enough yet but I'll keep it mind for the future 🙂

[@kathleensmith9660]

@ I thought that after I’d written , thought it might be handy for others . 🤓

[@judithmorganjudyteen]

Do you have to have their app also ?

[@marylynch2510]

Awww Luna❤❤❤❤😂

[@helenbrereton1703]

Lunas beautiful s0 cute❤

[@Glory3823]

😂😂😂Luna ❤❤❤😅😅😅👍💛💛💛🫠🫠

[@chorky2]

Think you can get your Sensodyne toothpaste cheaper at Home Bargain’s. Heather

[@aliliveswellonless]

I'll be checking it out, thanks!

[@kathrynhall4775]

🩷⭐️🩷

[@AndrewLever-x6k]

55 pounds for that! Shocking and sad

[@aliliveswellonless]

Yep, we're getting less and less with our money. Feeding yourself on a tight budget is becoming an Olympic sport!!