November Grocery Challenge

JC67

October didn't go to plan for me either as I had my nephew staying which I didn't plan for. My budget was £250 for 2 adults and 3 children but I went over by £35! As it's now 3 adults and 3 children I'm going to aim for £300 in November taking into account the extra week!

JAMIEDODGER

again i will be joining in this challenge. aiming for 200 all in toiletries, nappies and all!

squeaky

HOLsale wrote:

hi,

i'd like to try the grocery challenge this month but i'm a bit confused about pin and virtual pin and was wondering if someone could clear that up for me please?

Sure

Pin Money is money that you set aside if you buy something that's on special offer... the money off or the price of the second one on a Buy One Get One Free or the money you save on 50% extra free all goes into your little pot.

You are in fact mixing up two challenges, the grocery one which you are joining here, and the Pin Money one which is slightly different as you can see.

If you click on the link below you'll be able to see Queenie's full explanation of how the Pin Money Savings challenge works and join in too


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=105006

Avogirly

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going stock the cupboards this month, meaning that next month will be more realistic for me to shop for £20/week.

I've never lived away from home before, and my cooking skills are a little limited, so I've not only got to learn how to budget but also how to cook.

I am determined to learn how to cook well, and use all raw ingredients (no ready meals!), so any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Does anyone know of any simple 'old style' cooking guides that would be of use to me?

squeaky

Loads of them

In the MEGA Index sticky at the top of the forum listing there is a section on Cooking.

Look for listings under Books: fairly early on, and there are some very useful recipe and cooking websites listed at the bottom of the cooking section.

In between are loads of threads with meal ideas and helpful hints on all aspects of cooking.

Also in the Blue Bar at the top of every page in the Indexed Collections link - see picture - there are lots of other recipes; and the great thing about these is that the author is often on line so if you get stuck you just log on and ask. Even if the author isn't around there'll be someone who can help you and you can often get a reply in minutes flat.

You can use the Indexed Collections link in the Blue Bar at the top of every page which looks something like this:-

HOLsale

squeaky wrote:

Sure


You are in fact mixing up two challenges, the grocery one which you are joining here, and the Pin Money one which is slightly different as you can see.

If you click on the link below you'll be able to see Queenie's full explanation of how the Pin Money Savings challenge works and join in too


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=105006

thank you squeaky! i was going to just click on the 'thank you' button but they have disappeared :-(

i am also going to do the store cupboard challenge. i should REALLY start putting my cupboard inventory into my living cookbook as it will find recipes for stuff i have and it will make me a shopping list for the remaining items!

halloweenqueen_2

I've gone a few pounds over so far on the October challenge but not too bad for this month for me, probably go a bit more over yet, I seem to have underestimated how much extra the 31st Oct costs me:o
I will be pulling my horns in for November as I have a holiday to factor in as well, I need to save as much as possible so we may have some weird and wonderful meals in november! I seem to be spending around £240 a month I would really like to get this below £200 for next month. I've got saver cards towards xmas, the money I get in luncheon vouchers I save towards xmas dinner so i'm hoping that for the next couple of months I can run the grocery budget at the under £200 mark.

Avogirly

Lovely, thanks, we'll be eating live kings and queens!!!! (As long as I don't poison him with my terrible cooking skills!)

Avogirly

Eating live kings and queens............... hopefully not! Fingers not working yet. I meant LIKE them!!!!!!!

halloweenqueen_2

Hmmn, cannibalism would save money at the butchers!! Don't know as I'd want them live though!