March 2009 Grocery Challenge

ellawood

hi update on the buget I have spent 13.50 at the market 10.40 at BM and 26.79 at Mr t but forgot milk so will have to get some tuesday so I have saved money:j

elizabunny

Hello everyone! Just a little post today. Another NSD so 4 in a row now. Dinner was Pork Chops, Sprouts & Mash with Onion gravy, followed by Muller Yoghurt/Rice. Still hoping not to go over this month but its looking a little too close.

For those feeling down.....don't get stressed people. I think it's important to keep everything in perspective and the challenge should be fun and just a way of helping us to keep a check on what we are spending and where our money disappears to. I find every month a HUGE challenge but I try not to let it get me down as I know I would be spending so much more if I wasn't watching myself.

Keep going everyone, we are doing GREAT!

Miss_Liquorice

Only a little update from me, I spent 93p on chocolate, but not spent anything over the weekend... except on getting a car! =D I feel exceptionally broke but happy. I've no food shopping to do till the end of this month, and I have £32.33 left to spend, so I am going to use this as a opportunity to sock up on cans and juice, especially with petrol going up I'm expecting cans will increase in price a fair bit. =(

fletch3163

elizabunny wrote: »

For those feeling down.....don't get stressed people. I think it's important to keep everything in perspective and the challenge should be fun and just a way of helping us to keep a check on what we are spending and where our money disappears to. I find every month a HUGE challenge but I try not to let it get me down as I know I would be spending so much more if I wasn't watching myself.

Keep going everyone, we are doing GREAT!

Well, that's just the wee talking to I needed actually. I feel I'm taking it awfully seriously so Thank You!!

I've done a check through the last quarter for shopping and I've found THE MOST amazing thing.

January = £670
February = £629
March = £342

Now, that's amazing. Even if I was to break through my self imposed £450 at least I'll still be quids in. I am sworn off shopping this coming weekend because I overspent at this past weekend (shakes fist at M&S and their meal deals):p . So, barring bread and milk for the week I hope to declare quite soon and definitely by the weekend.

MRSMCAWBER

Afternoon all

:T Fletch -that is one heck of a drop in your monthly spends :T

Nearly a new month everyone :j I love a shiney new month..how sad

Well our month starts officially tomorrow -but I won't be shopping until Saturday..then its my "big" shop -which is no longer very big at all:rotfl:
I do this once a month and then in between hubby picks up the few bits n bobs we need on his way home from work -its saving us a fortune :T ....

Hubby has made life ridiculously easy -he has requested some kind of roast on a Sunday (its actually the roast potatoes and veg he is after ) then mon-sat -can we please have jacket potato, cottage cheese n salad for dinner EVERY NIGHT :rotfl: Im not going to argue as its my fave meal too -I will try and get some variety in by the stuff I stick on the salad.. me thinks this is going to make our budget even less...especially once my veggies get going (although its snowing at the moment ) plus it will be rather healthy and low fat to boot :A :rotfl:
Im also trying plenty of veggies in pots that will stand out or freeze to subsidise winters budget for us too -assuming they make it ...
For his work lunches he has asked for HM wraps, pasta salads and salads .... heck its good having a hubby who loves salad n veg this much

I have had a look at my annual budget and so far I have spent just under 2 months "allowance" in 3 months -so I have a whole months spare :j ...lets hope it lasts
Right I will get off and get something done -have a great day everyone

laineyc_2

Morning everyone. It is lovely and sunny here but quite cold. I had to buy milk today but yesterday was NSD. I am enjoying the Grocery Challenge. For me, it is a case of feeling more in control of my spending. The meal planning is the real eye-opener for me. It has reduced my expenditure but more importantly, it has really saved me so much stress now that I am working more hours.

Baking has proved to be very therapeutic as well. The whole GC experience has been positive for me.

cheerfulness4

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

its snowing at the moment

Flippin heck :eek: Hope thats not heading our way or I'll be having to fleece my veggies a bit sharpish.

Intrigued by this idea of giving myself a yearly budget rather than a monthly. Has it made things simpler for those that are doing it?

Must jump back in to this challenge as the food bills soon go up when you don't watch them.

Will go have a think about which way to go over the next few months. :think:

MRSMCAWBER

cheerfulness4 wrote: »

Flippin heck :eek: Hope thats not heading our way or I'll be having to fleece my veggies a bit sharpish.

Intrigued by this idea of giving myself a yearly budget rather than a monthly. Has it made things simpler for those that are doing it?

Must jump back in to this challenge as the food bills soon go up when you don't watch them.

Will go have a think about which way to go over the next few months. :think:

Nice to see you back cheerfulness:T

I have found the annual budget better so far.. the idea was that I have very erratic months -some months I see loads of offers and take full advantage of them.. then other months there is nothing much about. So I thought this way it would be easier to take advantage without thinking "eekkk spent loads" ...so far mind Im well under my budget -and hopefully the home grown veggies will keep that going..

The snow isn't settling -this morning we have had sun, rain, hail stones and snow ...luckily most of my seeds are either set upstairs -or not at all -the weather is to unreliable at the moment :mad:

cheerfulness4

Nice to be back MrsMc and chomping at the bit to get life organised again.

I've found the same with the whoopsies and offers. (tho took a while to realise that whoopsied cream buns and pastries are not essentials for us! )
I think that must be the way forward for us. I've realised that I was spending too much by visiting the shops too often so go once a week and DH nips in for milk etc when needed. He never goes 'off list'. I seem to be able to hit the whoopsies reliably by going fri 5ish or sun 1ish at my stores.

Just checked out weather and hail is forecast for Friday. :eek: Hope my broad beans and garlic will cope. Rest are in the cold greenhouse, outhouse and on every windowsill in the house (bar DS1's who says its dirty. :rolleyes: )

MRSMCAWBER

Heck -cheerfulness

We are the same :rotfl: I have finally realised that I was still spending more than I needed to -by getting seduced by "whoopsies" -buying things that I wouldn't normally :rolleyes: ... so now -if it isn't something I would normally use I don't get it... so its mainly meat and cheese I get . I now shop about once a month and like you -my hubby picks up milk, salad etc on his way home from work and never gets things that aren't on the list :j -its better for our budgetand for hubby as he has to pass on the way home from work...rather than coming home, getting changed, picking me up and then going back -so we are both happy