January 2009 Grocery Challenge

MRSMCAWBER

Hi Yummy mummy05

The broccoli stalk is the best bit
Yep you can use the stalks to make soup -or thinly slice it, and add it to stir fries mmmmmmmmmmmm

Zend

Spent £65 at Mr T's on Sunday:eek: and that was mainly on basic stuff. The only treat we have is 4 bottles of pop. I now have £40 to last me for the rest of the month.

searching_me

spent £2.16 on bread and bananas only worked an hour and a half as i felt like carp bubs was playing up and i felt as sick as a parrot so came home and napped feel better but think bubs is going through a growth spurt as my stomach feels like it streching quiet alot... on the plus side i didnt use my lunch so i'll have that tomorrow at work x

Flat_Eric

elizabunny wrote: »

Hi Flat Eric - I've tried :-
1) Shopping weekly,
2) As an when I need it
3) Having the order delivered

I've usually found that when I shop weekly I overspend most weeks by around £10-£15, so around £60 per month which over the year adds up to a whopping £720!

I've tried having the order delivered and found this is quite a good way of keeper a close eye on my budget, as you can total it up as you go along but of course, you have to allow the extra money for the delivery charge, I also sometimes find that substitutes are more expensive and of course you miss out on the 'whoopsies' and other bargains that you sometimes find when actually going into the shop.

At the moment I'm shopping as and when I need it and although still under budget for the month I am getting a bit close:eek:. I do quite like this method of shopping because you get more chances to pick up offers and 'whoopsies'. The drawback as I see it is, that you have to be very disciplined and not keep buying things that you don't really need -which is exactly my problem:rotfl:

I think if you are having a similar problem, you may be better staying out of the shops and settling for a delivery which will help you keep a closer eye on your budget -but what do I know!!

Today, I'm really hoping for a NSD this will only be my second this year:mad: I don't NEED anything, so I will NOT go shopping.......

Also I'm having to rethink dinner tonight as I want to use up the ham from yesterday's hock. So I think it will be Pasta, Ham and a nice Cheese and Basil Sauce...............and I will not go to the shops:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I think I will continue sharing the delivery with my friend as this means half the delivery cost for both of us. I dont know if I will have it every week though - just see how it goes. I can always do a small top up shop in between if required.

Ive also decided that although I will be allocating myself a monthly budget, I will then break this down into so much per week and perhaps even take that money out the bank each week and pay for everything in cash. That way, I shouldnt go over budget (she says!)

Im pleased to report that on my recent trips to the supermarket, Ive made a list and stuck to it. I will be honest - the odd thing has crept in but in general, Im only buying what I need.

Ive also bought a cheap A5 diary today which has a whole week on two pages which I can now carry round with me. I intend to use it to plan my meals /plan what I need to buy etc. This will also help with my slimming world meal planning.

Thanks everyone. its great having this forum

SAVVYMUMMY_2

Yummymummy, I agree with MrsM about the broccoli stalk. It`s thanks to MrsM last year that I keep all my stalks and when i`ve got enough, will make cheese and broccoli soup yum,yum!

Phoolgrrrl

Haven't bought anything since sat! Also shouldn't need to buy much for rest of week except baps This month goin well.

Phoolgrrrl

double post.

LOUBOB

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I think I will continue sharing the delivery with my friend as this means half the delivery cost for both of us. I dont know if I will have it every week though - just see how it goes. I can always do a small top up shop in between if required.

Ive also decided that although I will be allocating myself a monthly budget, I will then break this down into so much per week and perhaps even take that money out the bank each week and pay for everything in cash. That way, I shouldnt go over budget (she says!)


well done to you! I also use this method set my monthly budget then divide it into weeks. I took the money out the bank on payday and its in a tin. Every monday I take out my allocated money for the week. I must admit paying in hard cash instead of my card really makes a difference and for me its made me look at other brands for the lowest price.I am so surprised at the difference of price per kg of fruit and veg and different varieties, helps with some wiser choices.....its also such a bonus to get to the end of the week with money left over, and it definitely makes me think twice about un-necessary expense esp takeaway.....can bear to blow a lovely £10 note on fast food, and much easier to explain to my DS that there is no money in the pot!! Hope it works for you & Me as its my 1st official GC so lets hope we all come in under budget otherwise major re think next month!!!

P.S I carry around a pocket notepad, I keep a list of what I have spent then transfer it to the online spending diary as I have a memory like a sieve....

I then have a large folder in the kitchen where I try to meal plan and keep all my receipes with my freezer inventory, esp good if DS moans give him the inventory and let him meal plan/pick what we are having!

Sorry to ramble, but keep at it :j

MATH

Tesco looked like the Locusts had just left when I trundled through today. I've a few 'bits' to get from the market at the weekend but it looks like I'm still on target.

Frugaldom

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

Nyk

If you look at the top of the list of GC members on page 1 -I have added an ANNUAL section..:T ..both me and orkney are doing it that way... I didn't think it would be long before you and your thread members would be joining up -let me know if you want moving and how much you want putting down for ..Im just going to keep a running total at the side of it that i will update at the end of each month

MRSMCAWBER - Could you please transfer me to the annual grocery challenger list with a target of £1,200, thank you :T
I have now spent £135.28 to date, after doing a bulk buy yesterday and placing an order online via the 'AppFood' website. This is my third year on £1200 annual budget, so I am managing to keep abreast of inflation but haven't quite managed to reduce it yet, mainly because of housemoves in 2007 and 2008, losing me precious homegrown stuff Here's hoping that 2009 will be the start of a more stable home & garden environment. :j It's quite exciting starting from scratch again.