November 2008 Grocery Challenge

Olliebeak

Welcome to OldStyle, distressed!

Not much I can add to what others have said, apart from to ask 'Have you got the kids and OH on board with the whole idea of cutting back?' It makes such a big difference if they all understand why there isn't the usual mountain of crisps/fizzy drinks/snacks/cakes&biscuits selection in the cupboards.

Are your teens at an age where they can appreciate that this is a 'Family Situation' and not just mum 'throwing a wobbler'? I really do think that, once they're turned 16, they should become part of the family budgetting talks. They won't help you to cut back on things like gas/elec bills unless they have some idea how much money goes towards paying for it. Same with shopping - I'm sure that they'll become more realistic in their expectations if they understand costs/budgetting.

Good Luck with what you're trying to do - Ollie

rosieben

You've been given the best advice already dph, but I just wanted to add my welcome to the OS boards. There are so many ideas here, and it can be a bit daunting at first, but baby steps is the way to go. Nobody here will judge you, so many of us have been where you are. Its time to move forward now, any questions just ask and someone will be along

I agree that your first step should be check what you have in your cupboards and freezer, write a meal plan for the next week, draw up a shopping list from that meal plan and when you shop, stick to your list (although I usually allow a few pounds over in case I see any really good offers). As Ollie has said, if your OH and kids are on board with this it will be so much easier. Good luck

eveie189

It's official.

I am over budget......again.

Having said that it is only £16 at moment and I am hoping that overall with my extras budget as well it will be under £600 which as you can see from my sig will be a hude improvement. Think it helps that I have joined the SW thread so ain't buying takeaways at all anymore.

Anyways, hope everyone has had a good weekend

Katie

Ishtar

Apologies if already mentioned, but when you say DP cooks from scratch does he let his imagination run wild and cook elaborate/expensive home dinners? If so, then you might find you're buying expensive ingredients that will help to bump up the total. Do you need to buy ingredients in 'just in case' he fancies cooking something? Is this an area where you could rein him in a bit? From experience (and I know that everyone's different!) I know that my OH wouldn't cook anything simple - he'd have to do something interesting (his words!), not bangers and mash or anything straightforward like that.

I'd also suggest (as have many others) a menu plan - it's not for everyone, but I've found it really useful, and have recently coupled this with online shopping - it's easily cut my supermarket bill. We used to spend £400-£500 a month in Tesco (plus the occasional top-up), we now spend between £250 and £300/month. I buy all the household requirements there - cat food, cleaning products, bits for OHs sandwiches, etc, etc. Sadly for us, there's no Lidl or Aldi here - currently the only other alternatives are Waitrose and Sainsbury's, which are both more expensive than Tesco. We're two adults, one 4-year old and a cat. I know we could make more savings, but I've had to take it slowly - getting OH onside has taken quite a while and he's still not convinced about some of the things I want to do:rolleyes:

If you're not online shopping, take a calculator with you...yep, it might look sad, but who cares?

I wish you luck OP!
D

scotsaver

Had Roast Pork yesterday and all the trimmings, plenty left so making a Curry tonight, not decided yet on Pudding.

All of this weeks meals are using up what we have in the big freezer as I'm aiming to have it emptied by 27th when my December GC starts so I can get stocked for Xmas so should only need to spend on F&V, milk etc.

Made some Courgette Muffins yesterday, cherry shortcake and sausage rolls for this weeks lunchboxes but want to make some more Hobnobs today as I like those for dunking.;)

Have a good day everyone.:D

cw18 - thinking of you and your family at this time.

lil_me

You can use phone calculators & pretend you're texting people if you're reluctant to take a calculator, my kids like adding up the shopping and have been trained to look for better deals per kilo/100g/litre. DS2 likes to add it up in his head but then DS1 double checks on the phone if we're adding things up (we're better at spending now so it's more done for fun than function now)

Tashja

Morning all

Lamb curry, rice and Nans (pack done in BM) for tea tonight !!! Yummy - can't wait. Kids are on fish and chips from the freezer because they are not too keen on curry and they have all been ill with teething or bad coughs.

Hoping for a no spend day today - will need tins of tomatos at some point this week though.

Ran out of shreddies this morning but have told the kids I am refusing to buy more at the moment - they can have some of the other cereals that we have in or porridge or even toast !!! Gawd I am a cruel mother !!

Hope everyone is ok.

T xx

floss2

If you aren't sure what you were buying, when you register for online shopping & register your Clubcard, it will populate your "favourites" so you can see what you have been buying in the past.

I would second getting your children onside, and also listing everything in your cupboards / fridge / freezer. Then do a menu plan, and only buy the fresh veg / fruit that you will need for that first week.

Do your kids have crisps & canned fizzy drinks? (Cut down / buy own brand - better for health & pocket)
Do you buy wine with your shopping? (Use your Clubcard vouchers for Double-up wine vouchers)
Do you buy "Finest" items? (Drop a brand and price to the regular Tesco brand).
Do you buy pre-packed / bagged fruit / veg? (Buy loose - cheaper & you can buy the amount you need).
Do you buy what you need or what you fancy / like the look of? (Menu plans will help, as will taking a list).
Do you buy because you "may be running low" or because you've just put the last toilet roll out? (Check your store cupboard & use what you have first).

Good luck, you will be able to make a difference to your shopping bill!

Rikki

lil_me wrote: »

You can use phone calculators & pretend you're texting people if you're reluctant to take a calculator, my kids like adding up the shopping and have been trained to look for better deals per kilo/100g/litre. DS2 likes to add it up in his head but then DS1 double checks on the phone if we're adding things up (we're better at spending now so it's more done for fun than function now)

My youngest, now a teenager does this if hes with me. :T

Even the occasional packet of chocolate biscuits doesn't wipe out the savings.

tessie_bear

hi....went to sainsburys today and discovered that there is a third off all (or lots) of the cleaning products....even the value range...also cloths and washing up liquid....that might help someones budget....i find the sainsburys cooking bacon to be fab...its odd bits i always go for the smoked looking one with loads in because this will be thin slices....sometimes u can get big thick chop looking bits if that is what u like.....i have always found on cooking said bacon that no white nastiness comes out of it which leads me to believe it is quite good quality bacon that has just gone through the cutter the wrong way....it is less than £2 for loads great for quiches bacon sarnies pasta etc........right off bacon soap box and on to loaded potato skins.....i saw the recipe on here somewhere........thankyou they are brilliant.....u cook double the jacket potatos u were planning to use.....i do mine in remouska when done eat the ones with your tea and return to the other ones and take out the majority of the potato and use for mash with another meal or make into a cheese and potato pie place skins in the fridge and next day fry an onion bit of bacon and spoon into the skins top with cheese and bake.........eat while laughing at the domino pizza flyer that i think charges £3.99 for 4

blimey sorry ive gone on tes