March Grocery Challenge

couteaux

Hey kittie

I am finding my inventory a HUGE help! It is really only the odd fresh thing I need now, I like the idea of jars for bits and bobs. I'm going to try and stick to paying cash in shops rather than an online shop so that I keep track better.

I only do online Tesco orders for the clubcard deals really but while I am on maternity leave I'll have to put them on hold so that I only spend what I realllllly need rather than tempting bits

Omega & Zar - I hadn't seen that menu planning style before, I really like the look of it!(thanks queenie)

I think I will give that a go from what I have in stock.

Linda32

Hello,

I've just joined in and am going to have a go at the challenge.

These two adult here and our budget is surposed to be £160 a month, that used to be right but its crept up and now I bet its £200.

I'm going to keep a record myself and see what it actually is then see about reducing it.

My month will run from 1st March, I spent £18.50'ish yesterday at the co-op so I will include that.

This budget will include food, smellies, cleaning things and wine :T

Wendrie

I've done my first organic boxes delivery which came to £36.80 and I know I'm going to have to go do a top up shop this week. The bananas were just too much more than I'm used to at Tescos... But I've got to do an inventory and work out the menus for the rest of the month before I do any shopping.

Got my clubcard vouchers today but I'll save them until the end of the month when we should get paid (haven't yet - Dh started a new job and wages haven't gone in yet). Thank goodness for the o/d and cc.

Wendrie

https://www.savingdinner.com has sample menu plans which you can download for free. I found following a plan meant less waste which saved money and her portions for six I usually cut in half for the four of us. Often have some left over for lunch too. There are three of us here for lunch (me and two teens) and I pack leftovers/salad/sandwiches for my dh's lunch as well.

babybe11

hi there all, another newbie here. though i've been around a while. i've decided to do the march grocery challange, if thats ok. i will say £120.00 from sunday just gone to 31 march. thats for 2 adults & 1 fussy kid. i hope i can do it, wish me luck.
btw that will include all cleaning, toilettries etc.

VickyA_2

I'm afraid that we'd slipped off the Grocery Challenge wagon There's two of us and our previous target was £100 for the month, but we seem to have crept up to around £120 to £140. :doh:

We'll start again from tomorrow with £100 for the month, including cleaning equipment for the house and ourselves OH can get some veg from his staff shop, but tbh the quality has dropped and the prices have risen. It's a shame, as it's a fresh produce company !

shariatlanta

Another newbie here ready to take the challenge, normally spend around £400 for 5 adults and several pets, this includes cleaning stuff, toiletries and pet food. Aiming for £360 to start with, maybe I can get it lower in months to come.
My month runs from 24/02/06 to 17/03/06

tabath

..although I have been haunting this forum for a while. I am going to try this challenge in running from the 1st of march. I really don't have much idea how much I spend a month as we really just shop when we needed to although we overcook and freeze so are doing some moneysaving! There are 2 adults and 2 kids so I'm gonna take a guess at £350. Should this include pint at the local pub takeaways etc (which I plan on cutting out this month anyway) or is it just to cover groceries and household cleaning etc?

troll35

Tabath, you should do it which ever way makes you feel the most comfortable. Myself I would set a budget for your grocery/household bill and a seperate socializing/takeaway budget. I would also consider doing a meal plan (before going shopping) with your family as you are less likely to opt for a takeaway if the meal's already decided. We decided initially to use the £2 savers club as the takeaway fund, only having one when the fund was high enough, however since doing the meal plans we've not had a takeaway at all, mind you our £2 savings wouldn't have paid for many whatever.

Newtonlot

Room for another little one??
Yes, another newbie. Have been reading the site for a few months now. And due to the excellent bargains to be had at boots and the like, I have to cut down on my spending. So I am going to join in with the grocery challenge.
My DH has set me a limit of £200 for all food, cleaning, nappies and wipes. This is for two adults and one toddler.
Spend since 1/3/06 £0. (still got loads from last month). Will probably have to go get some fresh fruit for DD and some milk. Am going to be good and not buy anything we don't need.
Where does everyone tend to shop? Do you do all your shopping in one supermarket / shop or do you get fruit and veg from one place, and other stuff from somewhere else?