Latest news with #RayBonsall
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
I went to Lidl early in the morning and paid £3 for 115 items of food
I went to Lidl early in the morning and paid £3 for 115 items of food Food shopping is a necessary expense, and we're all on the hunt for ways to save a few quid where possible. I bagged around £20 worth of food for £3 (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO ) Food shopping is an essential outgoing, and we're all searching for methods to trim a few pounds wherever feasible. From preparing shopping lists to being tactical about your choice of retailer, there are numerous approaches to maintain control over your weekly grocery expenses. Constantly seeking out excellent value, astute shopping correspondent Ray Bonsall was delighted to learn that Lidl provides a container of mixed fruit and vegetables for merely £1.50. These containers supply an assortment of 'too good to waste' produce at a substantially reduced cost. Ray explained: "Always on the lookout for a good bargain, I was excited to learn that Lidl sells a box of mixed fruit and vegetables for just £1.50. The boxes offer a selection of 'too good to waste' items for a much cheaper price, reported the Liverpool Echo. "I've tried my luck with other anti-food waste schemes before, including the Too Good To Go app, which allows shops, cafes and restaurants to sell surplus food for a much lower price. I've generally found them to be generous and well worth the cost, so I was keen to give Lidl's box a try." She added, "I set my alarm bright and early for 7 a.m., keen to avoid the boxes selling out. I arrived at the Lidl on Lime Street at 8:30 a.m. However, a friendly colleague told me to come back in 45 minutes as they were still preparing the fruit and veg. I was surprised that there didn't seem to be anyone else waiting around for the boxes." I set my alarm bright and early for 7am to get myself a box of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50 (Image: Ray Bonsall) Article continues below Ray was taken aback to find no one else waiting for the boxes. While she waited, she decided to try her luck at the Lidl on London Road, but was told there were no boxes available. A staff member clarified that while the boxes are typically available daily, they had a large stock assessment the previous day, selling around 20 boxes, meaning they didn't have any surplus stock today. However, he noted that most days boxes go on sale at around 8:30am. Ray continued, "I went back to Lime Street, and at around 9:15am, the boxes were ready. They hadn't been put out but I asked a colleague who brought two out for me having remembered that I'd been by earlier on. It seems it's worth double checking with staff if you can't see any displayed. "I bought two boxes, which were £1.50 each, bringing my total shop to £3. It seems it's worth having a word with staff if you can't see any on display. I purchased two boxes at £1.50 each, bringing my total spend to £3. "When the boxes arrived, I was overwhelmed by how much was inside. I could barely carry the two boxes, which were overflowing with a wide variety of fruit and vegetables from apples to aubergines. The amount of fruit and vegetables I got from for £3 from two of Lidl's 'Too Good to Waste' boxes (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO ) "Taking a closer look at the produce, all of the items were still fresh, and most had a good few days left in them. A few items, like some of the peppers and the courgettes, were smaller than normal shelf stock, and the aubergine was on the riper side." Ray observed that the carrots were also on the smaller side, and some had taken a bit of a battering, but they remained completely fresh and perfect for cooking. The remaining produce was exactly what you'd anticipate from any standard fruit and vegetable retailer. Several of the peppers were enormous. The apples and even the bananas were spotless and ideally ripe. Here's everything I received in each box: Box 1 Four bananas Six red apples One aubergine One small courgette One celery Three large bell peppers (red, orange and yellow) Approximately 20 small potatoes Approximately 20 small carrots Box 2 Five bananas Six green apples One aubergine One courgette Five peppers (mixed sizes) One celery Approximately 20 potatoes (mixed sizes) Approximately 20 small carrots A generous handful of green chillies The peppers varied in size but were still great value (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO ) Using Tesco's website, she worked out that buying the identical items in the first box would have cost her around £8.01. The second box would have totalled roughly £11.84. Therefore, for just £3, she managed to secure nearly £20 worth of shopping. Article continues below Ray concluded: "This doesn't take into account some of the smaller sizes, however, I still walked away feeling like I had secured a great amount of food for what I spent. Anything I don't use in the next few days I'll stick in the freezer. "It's also a great way of encouraging people not to dismiss food just because it is doesn't look the biggest or shiniest. A small pepper is still a pepper after all. It also saves endless thinking about what to eat and for the next week my meal planning will be dictated by what's in the box - so far aubergine curry, baked potatoes, potato salad, fried courgette spaghetti and carrot soup spring to mind."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
I paid £3 for two boxes of food at Lidl – the amount inside was overwhelming
Lidl are releasing boxes of mixed fruit and vegetables for £1.50 Food shopping is a necessary expense, and we're all on the hunt for ways to save a few quid where possible. From crafting grocery lists to being strategic about where you shop, there are several methods to keep the cost of a weekly shop in check. Always on the prowl for a good deal, savvy shopping writer Ray Bonsall was thrilled to discover that Lidl offers a box of assorted fruit and vegetables for just £1.50. These boxes provide a variety of 'too good to waste' items at a significantly lower price. Ray shared: "Always on the lookout for a good bargain, I was excited to learn that Lidl sells a box of mixed fruit and vegetables for just £1.50. The boxes offer a selection of 'too good to waste' items for a much cheaper price, reported the Liverpool Echo. "I've tried my luck with other anti-food waste schemes before, including the Too Good To Go app, which allows shops, cafes and restaurants to sell surplus food for a much lower price. I've generally found them to be generous and well worth the cost, so I was keen to give Lidl's box a try. She continued, "I set my alarm bright and early for 7 a.m., keen to avoid the boxes selling out. I arrived at the Lidl on Lime Street at 8:30 a.m. However, a friendly colleague told me to come back in 45 minutes as they were still preparing the fruit and veg. I was surprised that there didn't seem to be anyone else waiting around for the boxes." Ray was surprised that there didn't seem to be anyone else hanging around for the boxes. While she waited, she decided to try her luck at the Lidl on London Road, but was informed there weren't any boxes available. A staff member explained that while the boxes are usually available daily, they had a large stock assessment the previous day, selling around 20 boxes, meaning they didn't have any surplus stock today. However, he mentioned that most days boxes go on sale at around 8:30am. Ray went on to say, "I went back to Lime Street, and at around 9:15am, the boxes were ready. They hadn't been put out but I asked a colleague who brought two out for me having remembered that I'd been by earlier on. It seems it's worth double checking with staff if you can't see any displayed. "I bought two boxes, which were £1.50 each, bringing my total shop to £3. It seems it's worth having a word with staff if you can't see any on display. I purchased two boxes at £1.50 each, bringing my total spend to £3. "When the boxes arrived, I was overwhelmed by how much was inside. I could barely carry the two boxes, which were brimming with a wide variety of fruit and vegetables from apples to aubergines. "Taking a closer look at the produce, all of the items were still fresh, and most had a good few days left in them. A few items, like some of the peppers and the courgettes, were smaller than normal shelf stock, and the aubergine was on the riper side." Ray noted carrots were also smaller, and some had been knocked about a bit, but they were still perfectly fresh and suitable for cooking. The rest of the produce was just as I'd expect from any regular fruit and veg shop. A few of the peppers were massive. The apples and even the bananas were unblemished and perfectly ripe. Here's everything I got in each box: Box 1 Four bananas Six red apples One aubergine One small courgette One celery Three large bell peppers (red, orange and yellow). Approximately 20 small potatoes. Approximately 20 small carrots. Box 2 Five bananas Six green apples One aubergine One courgette Five peppers (mixed sizes) One celery Approximately 20 potatoes (mixed sizes) Approximately 20 small carrots A generous handful of green chillies Using Tesco's website, she calculated that purchasing the same items in the first box would have set her back around £8.01. The second box would have cost approximately £11.84. So, for a mere £3, she managed to snag nearly £20 worth of groceries. Ray concluded: "This doesn't take into account some of the smaller sizes, however, I still walked away feeling like I had secured a great amount of food for what I spent. Anything I don't use in the next few days I'll stick in the freezer. "It's also a great way of encouraging people not to dismiss food just because it is doesn't look the biggest or shiniest. A small pepper is still a pepper after all. It also saves endless thinking about what to eat and for the next week my meal planning will be dictated by what's in the box - so far aubergine curry, baked potatoes, potato salad, fried courgette spaghetti and carrot soup spring to mind."
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'I tried instant coffee from Tesco, Aldi and Lidl - there was one easy winner'
A strong cup of coffee is the best way to start the day - but which supermarket instant coffee is the best? A coffee connoisseur put four brands to the test to find out If your morning routine typically begins with the click of a kettle, it's likely you're someone who relies on a caffeine boost to kick-start your day. While some might find a cuppa does the trick, others insist on a piping hot mug of coffee to shift into gear. Liverpool Echo writer Ray Bonsall explained: "While I've been known to venture into the world of coffee snobbery and I'm certainly a fan of an espresso based beverage (mine's an oat flat white), I am not shy of an instant coffee in the morning either." While it may fall short in quality, the undeniable speed and convenience of instant coffee was a win for her - and arguably, a more fitting method of preparation for those who opt for the caffeine-fuelled lifestyle. Without the luxury of time to brew a French press in the morning, Ray decided to put four instant coffees to the test to find the best speedy caffeine solution. Aldi - £2.69 for 100g The first coffee Ray sampled was from Aldi. Being the first sip of the day, she anticipated being hit by robust and bitter flavours. Instead, her initial sniff and taste of the grounds were rather underwhelming. As with all the coffees Ray tested, she first tried it black, adding two teaspoons of each blend per cup. Ray described Aldi's coffee being nearly undrinkable black, presenting a sharp sour taste without even the redeeming feature of bitterness to balance the tang. Like the aroma, the flavour was fairly weak. With milk added, it made for a passable and drinkable cup, but it didn't fill her with the joy that the first coffee of the day usually brings. Lidl - £2.69 for 100g Ray then moved on to Lidl's Deluxe blend. Similar to Aldi's coffee, she said it was undrinkable, describing its taste as sour and unpleasant. It came as a socker to her, as she generally enjoys the taste of black coffee. However, when Ray paired with milk, it served as a decent cuppa, offering more flavour than Aldi's version. Tesco Gold Blend - £3.10 for 200g After a couple of let-downs, Tesco's instant coffee surprisingly sparked her taste buds into life. The smell of the grounds, while not quite matching the delightful aroma of freshly ground beans, was unmistakably 'coffee-like' and even hinted at a subtly chocolatey scent. Although the instant coffee can't rival the real deal, this brew certainly packed a punch as a pick-me-up. It wasn't delicate or subtle - but it delivered exactly what you'd want from a strong cup of coffee in a greasy spoon or for a mid-afternoon office boost. Nescafé - £4 for 95g Next up was the branded stuff. Nescafe was much on par with Tesco's Gold Blend, delivering a strong taste that lingers as long as the caffeine kick (which isn't necessarily a good thing). Ray felt a caffeine jolt, though perhaps this was a placebo effect from the stronger taste. Nescafé might not be everyone's cup of tea when it comes to a pleasant coffee experience, but its gold blend is decidedly smoother than the classic red-lidded jar. However, she explained that for the price hike, Tesco's own brand is equally pleasing, if not marginally superior, and significantly more affordable. In conclusion, it appears that splashing out on posh packaging will land you a gentler and more understated cup of coffee. But if your instant coffee needs are simply strength and a degree of palatability, supermarket gold blends are your best bet.
Wales Online
26-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Airline with highest hidden fees on flights named – more than Ryanair and easyJet
Airline with highest hidden fees on flights named – more than Ryanair and easyJet A new study has found that one budget airline charges the highest fees for extras such as baggage and seat selection There's no better feeling than finding a bargain flight price (Image: fhm via Getty Images ) Securing a discounted flight can certainly enhance the joy of holidaying. However, even if you've planned your trip well ahead to ensure cheaper flights, it's likely you'll encounter hidden charges that inflate the overall cost. Extras, such as baggage allowance, seat selection, and even administrative fees can accumulate, and recent research has discovered that one airline surpasses others in terms of these additional costs. Financial platform Tradingpedia compared the cost of flying from London to Rome on 21st July amongst major European airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling and Jet2. However, Wizz Air emerged as the priciest overall in terms of hidden charges. Wizz Air topped the chart for hidden charges, with Tradingpedia revealing that the budget airline levied a total of £222.75 for add-ons, reports the Express. Hidden charges encompass various additional costs ranging from seat selection to fees for altering the name on a booking. While some of these aren't mandatory for boarding the aircraft, others are often unavoidable, particularly if you'd prefer not to wear the same pair of socks throughout your holiday and need to pack a bag. Wizz Air topped the list for the most hidden fees, according to research (Image: Getty ) Eurostar passengers face delays after two tragic incidents READ MORE: While Tradingpedia acknowledged that some extra charges aren't necessarily concealed, they also highlighted that they're seldom included in the headline prices advertised for flights, resulting in you paying more than initially expected. Article continues below The hidden charges applied to the Wizz Air flight included: £39.50 for a checked bag £9.25 for online booking £28 for checking in at the airport According to a report by Euronews, Wizz Air leads the pack in terms of hidden fees, closely followed by Ryanair and Vueling. However, it is worth noting that Wizz Air differentiates itself from its competitors by not charging extra for hand luggage, a factor that can significantly impact the overall cost of a flight. To illustrate the difference in costs, a flight from London to Rome with Ryanair, including additional services, totals £219.74, with an additional £25 for hand luggage. In comparison, Vueling charges £211, easyJet £207.26, and Jet2 £69.50, although the latter has a £40 fee for checked bags. Wizz Air charge £39.50 for a checked bag (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO ) Addressing the issue, a Wizz Air spokesperson emphasised the airline's transparent pricing strategy to stating: "We offer a single, simple, and transparent price to our customers, allowing them to explore destinations across our network from as little as £8.99. Article continues below "As an ultra-low-cost carrier, we allow passengers to choose which services they wish to purchase so that we can offer the most affordable travel opportunities." Airline with hidden fees
