August 2007 Grocery Challenge

Pink. · 28 July 2007 at 12:51AM

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the eighth Grocery Challenge of 2007.

Another new month is about to start for most of us, while some of you are already well into things.

As always this challenge is to reduce your own grocery budget to levels that you will be pleased with, not forgetting that we always recommend that you stay inside your own comfort levels and take things gently one step at a time.

If you are new to the challenge I have quoted the advice from Galtizz below which will help you get started.

Please post into this thread for help and advice and support at any time. Good luck to everyone taking part!

Galtizz wrote:

I have said this before, but for all the newbies to the challenge;

For the first month I took a guess at the budget but I really had no idea how much I was spending.

I found the best thing is to have a guess the first month but SAVE ALL OF YOUR RECEIPTS (and yes, that does include the ones from the local shop when you run out of milk ), then at the end of the month add them all up and have a look if you were on budget, if not, it doesn't matter because your budget was a guess. For the next month you can use the total of your receipts and take a bit off to get a realistic budget, just shave off as much as you think you can, it could be £1 a week or £20 a week.

If you are currently spending £200 a month don't suddenly drop it to £100 - you'll never do it but if you cut £20 a month off for a few months you'll get there eventually without feeling you're missing out on anything.

You might think you've done everything you can in the first month but someone always comes up with a new idea and, if you try it you often find you save a bit more (unless you are SarahSaver who is an expert at this and could only save more if she turned her back garden into a paddy field and lived on rice ) In the first month I thought, I'm planning meals, I couldn't possibly save any more, but then I started double cooking and freezing, and making soup instead of buying it in tins.

I've been doing this since Feb but only saved ALL of my receipts last month, it has given me a much better idea of where it is all going. Budget for next month is £80 for 2 of us, I'll start on 30/4. I could probably save more, by eating different foods but I can afford to live on £80, I have saved a lot of money since Feb. and I don't waste food or money any more. So I'm happy with my budget.

I hope it's a good month for all of you!

Pink

miss_empty_piggy · 28 July 2007 at 7:35AM

:T Would love to join the challenge. Am a newbie to the site and am currently spending £400/month on groceries for 2 adults and 2 kids (1 who eats nothing!):eek: Partner still complains that the food is rubbish, really must have a word with the cook:rotfl: Started planning yesterday and bought a LARGE chicken from Tesco for £4.86 (the 2for £5 ones were tiny and I couldn't face chopping up 2 chickens!) Normally I would just cook the chicken and eat the leftovers, but I chopped it to pieces and now have enough meat for 4 meals plus have made chicken soup for lunch!
Will attempt to drop to £350 as am off for the summer holidays and have time to plan etc.
My challenge will run from 30th July to 29th August!

Feeling very pleased with myself! I
am excited about this. Does that make me weird?

vixtress · 28 July 2007 at 8:58AM

this i copied from my 25/07 entry as i am just too lazy to retype it!!
have a good august everyone! its a 5 week month for me :eek: ......

august starts today for me!
managed to stay within budget for july, £147 out of budget of £164

much bigger budget this month though, its my 3 monthly or so 'big one' this month, am going for £250 which is still much less than the £350 or so i would spend on a normal month previously :eek:

did the big shop today and spent £105 :eek: got masses though, shouldnt need much more than my veggie box untill next month

Hapless_2 · 28 July 2007 at 9:50AM

well I was under budget last month , mainly due to still being short paid by £72 a week by the DWP (ongoing 5 weeks so far). As it doesn't look as if they will get their !!!!!! in gear looks like another lean month.

£420 for the 6 of us unless we get our full money

Casperthefriendlyghost · 28 July 2007 at 10:07AM

Hi everyone

I am also ready to start the next challenge. Have overspent by £10 a month for the last two months, so am really going to stay within my budget for this month as £10 is not alot to chop off. My aim is to spend £40 this month and no more. I am feeding one only and still have a large storecupboard to empty!

Cheers
CTFG
x x x x

lka200 · 28 July 2007 at 10:48AM

good luck everyone for this month.
Im in again this month.
Budget is £160 for whole month including all pet food for 2 hens, 1 boxer dog, and 2 14yo cats.
there is just me and 15yo (eats like a horse)DS.
this is such a wonderful idea and really makes you think about what you actually need to buy each week.
lka xxx

juliejim · 28 July 2007 at 11:26AM

Hi

I started this a couple of months back but fell by the wayside!

I'm back in it now though especially as I've just had some bad news from work which means a £650/mth drop in wages!

This is for 2 adults, 2 kids and 2 dogs!

It's also school hols though so I don't know how that will affect things apart from probably buying more junk.

I'll see how I get on.

Jue

redsquirrel80 · 28 July 2007 at 11:26AM

My August started on 23rd July. I overspent in July and decided to go back up to £60 for the month, which I know sort of defeats the purpose but at least posting on here helps me to keep track. I'm cautiously optimistic I'll manage to stay under this month as my cupboards are well stocked up (part of the reason for going overbudget last month - was just thinking it'll be interesting to add it all up at the end of the year and see if the overspent and underspent months balance each other out?)

Have spent £21.51 so far and should have enough of everything to last till the end of this week. Ooh I've just realised that means I don't have to face the supermarket this weekend

shell2001 · 28 July 2007 at 11:34AM

I shall be in again this month (although my month does not start until 1st August). Had a good month in July and hope to do the same in August. Gonna reduced my budget down to £300. This includes all food, cleaning items, smellies, blades etc.

May try doing a weekly/10 day shop via tesco on-line. I have noticed trips to somerfield for milk etc can lead to unnecessary spending, especially as both DDs come with me now preschool has finished for the summer hols.

Forgot to say this is for 2 adults, a 4 year old and 3 year old

Nancy888 · 28 July 2007 at 11:48AM

Count me in please - been watching these and thinking that I shouild take part...did full inventory of the cupboards/freezer yesterday and going for £150 this month (me and 2 ravenous boys). Going shopping with my list

this afternoon....wish me luck

Nancy

lil_me · 28 July 2007 at 11:51AM

In again from Monday, have been underbudget last month but going to use what is left for a meal out on Sunday, well actually with just over £20 will have to be careful but sure we'll find something.

A 5 week month here aswell, think I will aim for £320 which inc all food (every meal as DP takes sandwiches etc when at work), toiletries, cleaning stuff, meals out, pet food, take aways etc for 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 large dogs, lizard and the fish.

Maybe a littel too brave as been doing £270 for 4 week month but hey ho will see how it goes. Already placed order to arrive Tuesday, will add that when it arrives dog food bought so will add that now.

Good luck everyone

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August 2007 Grocery Challenge

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