November 2008 Grocery Challenge

distressedpleasehelp

and thanks for not just telling me off but helping xx

frugalswan

It can be difficult when you don't think that anyone else can help. I've found this place really useful and it has helped me curb my spending. It also made me want to get cooking for myself and my other half purely for pleasure as well. Meal planning was the single biggest life change for me, because I discovered new things I could cook that I wouldn't normally have done, and in conjunction with the grocery challenge you find yourself only buying what you need. I was shocked when I worked out how much I spend on tins of pop and ready-made sandwiches for my lunch at work, and have saved no end by planning ahead! In fact, the contents of the rubbish bin has gone down as well as I come up with ever more innovative ways to use up leftovers

Welcome DPH!

Pitlanepiglet

distressedpleasehelp wrote: »

and thanks for not just telling me off but helping xx

Most of us have been somewhere similar to you and in many cases somewhere worse than you so you'll find lots of support here. The key thing is that you have realised that things have to change and that the only person who can make things change is you.

The bonus of spending less money on "must haves" is that there is suddenly money left over to clear debts and for some nice things.

~Chameleon~

distressedpleasehelp wrote: »

Thanks I'm going to try keeping a list of just where the money goes.
I don't take the kids shopping with me so I don't have the temptation to over spend there.
I'll keep a list of what I buy and post it. So that will be my new spending, trying to be good, so I can get your ideas on that.
I havent kept old recipets as I chuck them straight away so as not to rmeind me what I spent!

Just a thought but would it make it easier if you did your grocery shopping online? That way you can stick to a definite budget and know exactly what is in your basket before committing to buy.

I would say there are always plenty of codes available on the discount vouchers board which will at least cover your delivery charge, but they seem to be few and far between at the moment.

It might seem an enormous challenge for you right now but just take it a step at a time and you'll be fine. The fact you recognise there's a problem is the biggest hurdle so it can only get easier from now :T

Rikki

to Old Style.

When you work out what is costing you a £1000 a month you can break it down into what you really need and what luxuries are slipping under the radar. You'll be in for a shock.:eek:

Having a spending diary and logging every purchase can be a real eye opener.

Rikki

distressedpleasehelp wrote: »

and thanks for not just telling me off but helping xx

We'll save that till you tell us what you've bought.

angelavdavis

My recommendations are:

• Make a note at what food is being thrown away as this can help pinpoint where you might be habitually buying stuff that isn't being eaten. Might not be a problem for you with two teens, but I found I wasn't eating peppers so now I slice and open freeze these as I generally only use them in bolognaise, etc in winter so they are OK being frozen.
• As has been suggested, plan your meals and then shop accordingly, use online shopping to avoid the supermarket moneyspending brainwashing(!)
• If you haven't already tried, visit Lidl and Aldi to see what they have on offer. I personally find their cooked meats, vegetables and meat good value, although other posters haven't had such positive experiences.
• Don't beat yourself up if you spend more than you would like - set a realistic target and gradually decrease it - its pointless setting an impossible target and suffering for it. If you have any lapses, just pick yourself up and start again, it takes practice but eventually becomes easy to save.

belfastgirl23

savingfortravel wrote: »

Hi Belfastgirl23
My local Tesco honour Sainsburys money off coupons.Yours might do the same...SFT

Aha! I always thought that meant gift vouchers, suddenly it all makes sense thanks SFT

toffee65

Distress I'm sure many other posters who have been doing this moneysaving will have plenty tips for you, but I would like to add that this is the 1st month I have reduced my shopping bill of 600.00ish (not clothes) a month on Tesco shopping down to...200.00.

Also don't feel bad if people are shocked. If you could have afford 1,000 a month, you've worked for it, then so be it and so what Just that things change and you will too with lots of help from here.

I've had a great month challenging myself with this and very proud I'm still on course...albeit with 20.00 left until 28th Nov but freezers are full to the brim

Good luck.

Sunny_Donny

Hi,
welcome to the best place ever to help you.
As above, make a list of food in cupboards, fridge/freezer and make a meal plan for the week. You should then not need to shop for the rest of the week except for fruit/veg/milk etc.
Visit Lidl, Netto, Aldi - they have lovely food and cheaper than Tesco, there is a thread somewhere that gives opinions on what is good, bad and ugly. Still visit Tesco as I am sure you will, BUT wherever you go, make a shopping list and stick to it. If you used to use the very large trolley, move down to the smaller one or take a basket. Take advantage of multibuys but only if you will use them.