January 2009 Grocery Challenge

gtx

had a bit of a nightmare budget wise already |£133 into feb's money - hopefully all i'm going to need from now on is fruit and veg though.

hope everyone is well

gtx

MRSMCAWBER

Morning all

Just popping in to update the lists.....

MoneyQueen - Last month we added a section at the top of the list for a few of us who have started and "annual" budget..... would you like to be added to that bit ?
I have decided to have an annual budget so I can take advantage of bargains and offers -to bulk buy when things are on offer too ......

right -off to update ...see you all over in Feb soon

mummyyof5

Hi evryone I dont really post on here but do follow the plan as much as I can, have got some great ideas from you all Thanks, Now Please can someone tell me how to get on the Feb challenge page, sorry I am so silly but I have searched and cant find it

MRSMCAWBER

Hi Mummyyof5

here you go.... this is the feb thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1449317

[Deleted User]

Third week of my January challenge, and I am sure I will go a bit over budget this month atm only have just over a tenner in my purse and thats not going to last me until 12 Feb, so will have to detour to the bank to get some more cash out.
Had a lot of extra expence this month as I had visitors for a few days, so budget gets blown a bit ,still never mind, still vastly under what I was spending last September then it was around £50 per week !!Onwards and upwards

fatcattaff

Just updated my signature. Overspent a little, but I know where I went wrong. I've got to go spend more today too as we have a playdate with a lad who specifically wants Pizza Express pizza. I wouldn't normally pander, but he's a lovely lad and we don't have him around often.

So....I'll come in about £15 over in all. Can't wait to start again in Feb though.

Oh...and bargain hunting has flagged up some shocking prices for me this month that I wouldn't even have blinked at in 08. Somerfields are charging £1.35 for a standard cucumber at the moment. £1.35!!! And I was shocked at £1 in Mr S's! Aldi's here I come!

Allegra

My month ended this Monday, but as I had very little time on the computer recently, I am only able to pop on to declare now - £218.58 which is pretty amazing for us, considering that included several unplanned-for trips out for horrendously overpriced fruit and "things in packets" for DD, as well as the other half stocking up on cheap Tiger beer

On the downside, the stock cupboards have gone rather Mother Hubbard, which means a big shop on Saturday (agh - hate these !) and having to be rather careful when meal planning, rather than resting on my laurels and busting the February budget...

Once again, thanks to all for inspiration, support, and generally just for being there - it's all so much easire when you know you are not alone !

Free_in_Three

Hi All
I am on the annual challenge but am declaring £380.03 for January. My monthly budget is £200 excluding dec so I am over. I have used up some Mr S vouchers and taken advantage of some good offers and have enough:

Soap powder for 12 months
DW tablets for 6 months
Meat for 2 months
Potatoes for 2 months
Frozen veg for 2 months
Bread flour and yeast for 2 months
Toiletries for a good 6 months and some for 12 months
Dog food tins for 6 weeks

I am looking forward to being under £200 for Feb to make up the stocking up overspend.

Well done to everyone under and keep at it for those over. I have learnt so much and saved so much doing this challenge that I have completely changed the way I shop and cook.

Good luck for Feb

Free x

mummy2mygirls

Hello everyone been to the martket this morning and spent £14 so now a little over what i should spend in the mth but as im on the annual budget i hope to level this out next mth....

Going to be getting a big shop delivered for next week so that will add to the total and then i hope i will only need to do little shops over the mth...... thats the plan anyway as i dont want to be pushing the heavy trolly round anymore till after baby has come....

little_miss_thrifty

Hi All!!:hello:

Haven't been around for a little while, but i have been sticking to my food budget. As i am not going to be doing any shopping until February hits, i thought i would round off my January figure now.

For the month of January, out of a £300 budget, we spent £218.76!!!!:T
Again, we have put that towards overpaying the mortgage, so should have about £300 to overpay this month.

I am really pleased with this and i still have a freezer full of items and the fridge still has yoghurts, milk and marg. I will just have to buy some fruit and veg in a few days. Thanks to the inspiration, i have been making lots of simple cakes for the children, and jelly, biscuits etc. I feel now that they are getting half decent extras, without the sugar or expense!!

See you in Feb!