December 2008 Grocery Challenge

flaire

Could I be put down for £250 , please?

This is my first attempt and I'm guesstimating. There's the two of us to cover all food, toiletries, cleaning products, booze and cigarettes (I know, I know).

I fear I might be in for a shock when I discover how much I really do spend.

:eek:

Kind regards.

poffigirl

Hi Everyone

I have posted on the November board but can I join you properly on this board. Its probably best to join at the start of the month rather than at the end!I've been lurking for a couple of weeks and think that this board will really help me.

Bascically i want to cut down my grocery bill, I had a shock when last month I checked my balance only to find that I was £1000 overdrawn. We looked into it to see why we were so overdrawn and apart from spending £500 on doing up our new kitchen, we had spent £860 in Tescos. This was for me and OH, a 2 year old and a 5 month old!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!! :o:o:o:o So the mission is to cut down our grocery bill to £400 for December, which I think should be comfortably do-able! (I hope)

We tried shopping in Lidl which didn't work as we got too tempted by the special offers and ended up spending £177 which did last us around 2 weeks but was still ridiculous. Last week, OH and the babies went Old Style shopping. We went to Iceland for frozen and cupboard stuff, the market for fruit and veg and to the butchers. It felt really Christmassy and really enjoyed ourselves, especially since we went to the Bakers and got ourselves a cake each for being so good! It did take about 3 hours but it did feel like a day out and the girls were happy in the pram all wrapped up. In all we spent £90 which included Nappies bought from Boots (to get the points), this is compared to a bill of at least £150 if i had gone to Tescos. I bought loads of fruit and veg which i have been busy purreeing for the little one, so I'm feeling really positive!! Ooooh I've also dug out the breadmaker but haven't got round to using it yet! This spend was in novembr so iI'm keeping it there i think, best to keep things nice and clean or I'll get confused! I dont think I'll need many extra as we're going to in laws fro Xmas diner (9 years living with DH and haven't made a Xmas dinner once!):o

Hope I can join in with you all this month. The mission is to be able to stay off work, I'm on mat leave at the moment and really don't want to go back. I want to be home and be a traditional housewife, looking after the kids (who are only babies), cooking food and trying (and prbably failing) to keep the house clean. We should be able to survive comfortably on DH's wages but first I have to prove it to him - so thats my mission!!! Wish me luck!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

MrsMcK_2

Hi all,
Had a bad month last month so will try for £300 this month. Fingers crossed it will happen:o .
xx

Pip-squeak_3

Hi
£97.82 for November and please put me down for £150 for December.

Only came in under £100 due to a £10 Sainsbury's voucher (thank you market research) Had several family gatherings to cook for and I also blame Mr S for some good offers on cheese tea and olive oil that I had to buy!
Have decided £150 this month as if I come in under I will still be on target for £1200 for the year.
Hope all are going well and not too worn out chasing bargains. Thanks to everyone who keeps this board going.

highland_fling_2

morning all,
well i am just about to go for first shop of the month. Have decided to go to Aldi first and then anything that is not available there will be picked up at another supermarket. have made up my list and i am determined to stick to it. sister is going with me but sometimes we are a bad influence on one another so this time will go around the shop individually so as not to encourage unnecessary spending. wish me luck on resisting impulse buys, will let you know how we get on.

BigMummaF

Hey-ho...bit of a double-edged sword for me these past few days Both the poota & I have had virus-sessess/ceeze so saved on lekkie by not switching on or wanting to move from under the blankie
My month goes 25-24 so I shall declare a dodgy £211-61 for November SIZE=1]things got a bit fuzzy there towards the end[/SIZE I think I'll go for £300 for Dec please, in a hope of getting a bit of cash stashed towards March...always the :eek: month with road tax, car ins, MOT, TV licence & No3 b'day to boot Thankfully I've got crimbo dinner sorted--apart from veg of course --& a few bits left in the freezer to eke out the menu altho I haven't had a chance to 'experiment' with the pinto beans yet
I don't know about anyone else I can make my money work on paper, but then Real Life has a way of biting me on the arsenal just to bring my maths skills into question :mad: It looks like I should have a wad of notes bulging from my back pocket, when in reality I'm head-down-tail-up along the back of the sofa looking for enough loose change to get half dozen eggs

jackie_w

Hi,

I totally fell away from this in October & November, even though I set myself a challenge.

Anyway, this month, im definetly in, because Ive decided I want to make overpayments to my mortgage, so, Im in this with more determination than ive ever had before.

Mrs Mac, can you include me for £250 for this month please xx

If anyone sees me slacking, please give me kick up the backside please.

Jackie xx

Lizzieanne

Mrs M, can you count me in with a budget of £400 in December, please? Thanks!

Frugal_Mouse

Hi everyone. Having been inspired by how well everyone does with their grocery budget I would like to join you for December.

Please MrsM can you put me down for £150.

I am a single veggie and I think that I normally do OK.... look for woopsies, plan meals, OS cooking etc but as I have not actually made the effort to track the cost I could have a nasty surprise to come .

Despite the fact that I have a full freezer and pantry, December is going to be an expensive month for me as in addition to Christmas I also have family visiting twice and also a 'milestone' family birthday. Hopefully I will manage to come under the £150.

Good luck everyone with the December GC.

FM
x

jackk_2

Can you add me to the December challenge, £200 again please. It should still be just about do-able :rolleyes: as we are having Christmas and Boxing day dinner at our mums houses :j :j , although i'll still get a few extra bits in and No 1 son will be home from uni, so we'll see eh :beer: . I am officially into my overdraft now by about £60 and my next finance payment isn't due till Jan 5th so damage limitation is the aim now

Jackie xx