I really am C**P at budgeting

calleyw

Do you have a local market?

As my local one has a couple of fruit stalls and one does 3lbs of banana for a £1 same goes for Apples and carrots where 3lbs for 80p. Also had 25KG bags of spuds for £3.90.

Granted you can't pick what you want. But the prices are good and the fruit is normally ok.

Granted you have a lot of people to feed but I feed two adults who like there food for between £80-£100 a month. So for 6 in theory that is £300 a month.

Note I said food. I never ever include washing powder etc as I can't eat that and have another set aside amount for that.

As has been said meal plans are crucial. And only buying what you need. Crisps, chocolate etc if they want it they can buy it out there own money;. Sounds harsh.

Boots apart from your painkilling tablets is a no-no. If you have a local wilkinsons go there. Plasters are so cheap as well other bit an pieces to put in the first aid box.

Really you need to get everyone on side as it is never going to work. Be truthful as most of them are adults. They have to learn that is costing you arm and leg to buy food, laundry supplies etc.

Yours

Calley

fairylights_2

jellycat40 wrote:

The painkillers are for my back. I have prescription ones but they had run out and the ones i bought are the strongest available without prescription. No way will paracetamol touch arthritis!

I didn't know it was arthritis, so apologies. Perhaps your GP would organise a repeat prescription so you don't get caught out?

As I have said before we are all on slimming world plan so I would be amazed if anyone could get all their fruit and veg at the beginning of the week and have it last. I buy something in the region of 100 bananas a week. Also strawberries would go off after only 2 days.

This is because they're out of season. DOn't know the details of slimming world, but can't you stick to seasonal fruits? that would make it cheaper. Also tinned fruit, if you get the right tins (not in syrup, as my OH would have! :rotfl: )

I am still being suckered aren't I?

Oh Louise, you are. Write a list before you leave the house of EVERYTHING you need and if it's not on the list, don't buy it. It's only a special offer if you were going to buy it anyway, otherwise it's just extra expenses :grouphug: You seem to be ready to change, just realise where you keep getting caught out and then stop yourself.

I have to say (as an aside to the moneysaving bit) that this diet sounds a bit mad to me. Can't you do a weightwatchers style one, where you eat normally, just sensible portion sizes. I appreciate you're all dieting, but one could go to the meetings, and the rest of you compare notes at home? That way you could save money and diet at the same time?

sarah_elton

As others have said, your Tesco bill for the month is pretty big!

Given the size, it might be worth going through the receipts (boring I know) and breaking it down a bit further - alcohol/fruit and veg/meat/ etc - pick a few categories.

You say you eat loads of fruit and veg - see what percentage of the spend this really is. If it is as high as you think, then do go with the grow your own, or greengrocer/market idea.

Minor one - you said about 24 Mullerlight yoghurts. I used to continuously have mousses/yoghurts/general dessert things in, but just stopped. You'll do even better at Slimmingworld with no pud at all! I didn't stop for monetary reasons - just realised I didn't even particularly want them, it was habit, and they do add up.

jellycat40

I don't buy alcohol, sweets or crisps. In fact I still have crisps in the cupboard from Xmas. They won't eat them they are full of fat!

Slimming World is a great diet for the larger appetite. You can have as much fruit and veg as you want. Ditto the mullerlight yogurts. I have so many of these now that I shan't need any for at least 3 weeks as they are BOGOF.

I don't own my home and we are not allowed to change the garden so no growing our own veg. In the summer I do a couple of gro bags but that is about it. We also don't have a market near us. The nearest one is once a week 7 miles away. Sometimes for a trip out I go to Cheddar but that is 20 miles away and makes the savings null and void.

Can't have tinned fruit on slimming world only fresh or frozen whole fruit. Have to say would be very reluctant to give up now as OH and I have lost 2 stone each and have several more to go. DD1 is going with us but she pays for herself.

I think my biggest key is going to be to stay home more. Not to venture out to the shops until my addiction has passed. lol. I tend to think if the shop says it is a bargain then I would be a fool to pass it by.

Please do not give up on me. I am learning. The plasters were £2.15 for 40 was that bad?

Louise

calleyw

jellycat40 wrote:

The plasters were £2.15 for 40 was that bad?

It is when you can buy a strip from wilkinsons that you can cut up to what ever size you want for less then 50p.

Yours

Calley

PoshPaws_3

jellycat40 wrote:

The dog food idea is fab but will it be ok for my puppy. She is six months old and I was told she had to have premium puppy food for at least 12 months. Therefore have been feeding both dogs on it.

My Saluki was 9 months old when I started him on it - so I would recommend that you use the Gusto for both of them (wean them onto it gradually over the course of a week to ten days or so, to avoid tummy troubles), but give Puppy some tinned puppy food with it and the adult dog some tinned food specifically for adult dogs. Once the Puppy reaches 12 months, you can put him onto the adult tinned food.

So far as I know, Gusto comes in two types .. one for adult and one for older dogs. It is possible that the do a Gusto Puppy and I've just not noticed - so its worth checking that out.

Its made by the same people as make Autarky dog food - which is free from nasty additives etc.

Gusto is classed a "working dog" mix and as such is exempt from VAT, which is why its so inexpensive. It also has the benefit of - according to my dogs and other folks' dogs who have tried it - being very tasty, so they say!

frosty

why not leave your credit/debit cards at home and your cheque book at home, :eek: take a set amount of money with you.If for example you took £15.00 each time you went to the supermarket and you saw it as a challenge(how much shopping can I get :j )and limit it to no more than 5 trips a week,you would be getting your supermarket fix but you would have limited the amount of money you can spend.I am used to typing complete rubbish in which case just ignore me.


PS..................I am not calling you a supermarket junkie.

jellycat40

Thank you frosty i went shopping today with cash by accident. It does make you think before you rush round willy nilly. The other thing I did today was to just take a basket with me into the supermarket instead of a trolley. Sheer weight stops me from buying too much due to weak hands and painful back!!!

Louise

carolbee

I started this month on a food budget by drawing out the set amount in cash, spent some at tesco and some at fruit/veg stall, am trying to buy seasonal food, but to my shame i really don't know what is and whats not, as used to buying pineapple and mangoes every week. this is my new years resolution to buy seasonally. apples for us this week!

have you looked at the pets threads, there is a site called something like zooplus, not too sure how to do links, or if we are allowed to as fairly new to this!

have overspent by about £10 (on 125)

ancient dog has Hills diet, used to get free when I worked at vets and don't think she should have to pay the price of our overspending! all the time I can manage she will have it.

jellycat40

I buy pineapple, mango, strawberries and figs every week. I buy tons of bananas and satsumas/clementines as well. I do buy apples and sometimes pears but as we have fruit salad every day it would get very boring. Tesco do value Mango and these are 45p we have one a day in our fruit salad so i don't feel to bad. Pineapple are £2.29 each but I used to buy them pre prepared for £1.89 per pack and would easily get through 3 packs a day, so I am cutting back just not as much as others maybe.

Think I may try my dogs on a new food, the Gusto sounds good I will check into that. and someone else has suggested Burns which is cheaper than what I am getting.

Thanks again for the support.

Louise