August 2008 Grocery Challenge

Chell

AlwaysHappy wrote: »

A no spend day yesterday (thank goodness - I needed it), am feeling a little lonely now everyone is moving over to the september thread, will keep plodding on, I get paid on the 20th hence being later in the month, maybe if (when) I can ever get ahead of myself will try and work from month end to month end - can't imagine it'll be for a while!

That is one of the reasons I set a weekly target, DH gets paid on 15th of the month.

AlwaysHappy

Another no spend day (phew), thanks Chell - that seems quite sensible, though not something I can contemplate this month with such a short amount of funds left - maybe next month. My Mum has been staying with us and hence I have spent more on food, she has now gone home and gave me £40 towards the food bill but wouldn't it be nice not to break into that? Heres hoping.

Cheapskate

Just glanced through the last couple of pages & feel even more depressed, cos of everyone's organisational skills! - every month I try to do this & every month family sabotages my efforts, so August came in something like £500!!
Must read these threads more to get a grip & see how you all do it!!
Decided to do September different - will try a weekly budget like I used to do when we were very young & poor, it was easier to rein in than trying to do things monthly, & I can't store enough to last weeks anyway.
Angelnikki, please post my August figure at the appalling level of £500 - must do better I suppose!
Going to join September challenge then hitting the tea & biccies.
Anna x

PetitePeche

I failed miserably this month and spent £440.55. Not really sure how that happened - was August one of those freaky 8 week months???????

kazmeister

Final figure for August was £315.15 - and it is only £15 over budget (but we were away for a week ) Will we ever manage to come in under budget

nicnacnoo

angelnikki, you got me wrong on the front page, it was me that spent £179.78 and you put on the person above me, no biggie but just thought id say cheers...ive joined Septembers GC so hoping to come in a bit more under budget, but under is under, even if its only 22p!!!!

Flylady_Flower

Cheapskate wrote: »

Just glanced through the last couple of pages & feel even more depressed, cos of everyone's organisational skills! - every month I try to do this & every month family sabotages my efforts, so August came in something like £500!!
Must read these threads more to get a grip & see how you all do it!!
Decided to do September different - will try a weekly budget like I used to do when we were very young & poor, it was easier to rein in than trying to do things monthly, & I can't store enough to last weeks anyway.
Angelnikki, please post my August figure at the appalling level of £500 - must do better I suppose!
Going to join September challenge then hitting the tea & biccies.
Anna x

Hi Anna, I know you will probably be on the Sept thread now, but just wanted you to know you are not alone, not all of us have great organisation skills (except Mrs M ) and it's a learning curve so don't expect to be brilliant at first.
As for the family, mine are pretty much a lost cause, but my hubby is coming round. It's easier when they start seeing something physical - hubby seeing money left in the account or coming off the cards was our turning point.

Maybe if you have your budget each week and one of those savings accounts with the passbooks, and save for something special - start small and save for a trip to the bowling alley for you all or the pictures, or aim bigger and save for a holiday - it's up to you, just let them all know what it's for. Then every time they want a takeaway or extra food or snacks, you can get out the savings book and say, "I'll have to take £XXX out now to cover for that" It's amazing how seeing physical money coming out of something they want changes their attitude! In the beginning they might say so what, but it will play on their minds, I promise....

I hope that helps, but don't get down - we all want to improve and I know you've been doing this for a while but baby steps will get you there - we're all here for you!:T

angelatgraceland

Well I bearly managed it! Had a budget of £350 and came in at a little over at £374.24. I think Ive now forund the right food budget of £75 pw for a family of 5-all adults except for a 14 year old. I was thinking I had £75 pw and a budget of £375. That what happens when I don't visit this thread daily!!!
Going to declare £300 for Sptember.

jinky67

Sorry i am late:o

i am declaring .....£ 195.98:j :j :j :j :j :j

under budget again:D

Savvy_sewing

I am declaring for AUGUST, a low total of £247.97 so I am under budget by a massive £52.03. ... Yipee.
However I must confess the cupboards and freezer are some what low, and I didnt count in any take aways that we had over the month. So I am going to incorporate them (if we have any) in the next month.