March Grocery Challenge

moggins

I use three places mostly although I do pop into town for Wilko's and the pound shop. I tend to use Tesco atm mainly because I have to take my mother shopping there and it seems silly to wander round there with her and then take myself off to Asda the next day. Lidl for more luxury type items and the open market here which is fabulous for fresh meat and veg.

HopeElizzy

Well my target (£300) looks a little in jeopardy this month and we've only just started. I am working from payday to payday which for us is Feb 22 - Mar 30 and tonight I have 7 friends over for drinks and food - I know excuses, excuses! :rolleyes: I must try harder next week!
On the plus side I spent £13.98 on nappies in Boots and as I joined their baby club and received a voucher I get extra points if I buy Huggies. I have tried Boots own brand, Tescos own brand and Morrisons own brand but all I got was leaky nappies! My son is tall and skinny for a 19 month old toddler so I always feel like I'm wrapping the nappy tabs around him twice! :rotfl: I did have reusable nappies originally but because of his eczema the consultant at the hospital told us to use disposables as they wick the moisture away quicker and better.

HopeElizzy

Newtonlot wrote:

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?

:hello: I do an on-line shop at Tescos every 2 weeks, then while my 3.5yo daughter is at her dance class on Saturday morning I go to the local butchers and to the fruit & veg stall in the local market, then I get nappies at Boots (cos I have a voucher for extra points) and Wilkos for toiletries and cleaning stuff. I am limited to some extent as I don't drive so use whatever shops are local (30min walk) and do the rest on-line.

Wendrie

Money saving hint for today - send the children shopping... they only bought what was on the list and came straight home. Suspect I'd have checked the reduced offers and maybe looked around for anything else we "needed". So £3.23... plus dh wasn't well so didn't do the regular shop at Costco so we'll use up what is in the house and do without until he's better.

couteaux

Went to the nearest farmers market today and got some organic veg for my 6 month old - 2.56 & some meat from the butchers 7.98

All I need now is some fruit and milk for us and bambino (formula) then we should be ok
for the week!

Ah, possibly more nappies actually. Don't want to buy anything else from Tescoif poss tho.

Good luck everyone

traveller

Hi i've been reading these boards for a while, i don't think i've posted on this forum before though.I usually spend just over 170.. per month for myself 2 sons 12 and 6 and daughter 9 and a cat.So far i've spent just over 107.00 and this includes household stuff too.I spotted some premium quality lamb down by a couple of pounds today and bought most of my items on BOGOF today at sainsburys.I'll be doing everything from scratch this month, to keep up the savings.I've done very well this week by being on the boards a lot (off work with the flu.)
Can i just say a huge thankyou to Catrina for that pizza recipe a while back and Black Saturn for all of those recipes.I've shopped according to that meal planner in the main and came under with my shop,although as the premium meats for mince ect were BOGOF this worked out cheaper than value.My kids will be so pleased with the puddings as usually i cannot afford it-thankyou .

otterspasm

Hi there all,
This is my first ever posting! :beer: I'm really inspired by all of your efforts that I'm going to start saving all of my receipts from now. I think I spend over £200 a month for 2 adults and our 2 year old son (2 cats too!). I have just handed my notice in at my very part-time job so that I can be at home with my son :j so am in need of doing some serious money saving! Great to read all your ideas. I think I'll aim for a spend of £200 on the nose this month and see what the result of saving receipts is. Bye for now.

moggins

Welcome otterspasm, £200 should be easily achievable. Good luck

Newtonlot

I've messed up already. DH has told me that our budget starts when I get paid, so that will have been 24th Feb. He also says I have spent £160 already this month.
Am well stocked up on househld products and nappies, so just have to stick to the bare essentials when i go shopping (milk, bread and fresh fruit etc). I am also going to try to use all of the stuff I have in the garage freezer before I buy anymore frozen foods.
Am going to treat this month as a guide to what I would normally spend and analyse where I can cut down or cost save.
P.S I have loved reading all of your tips and successes

elaine373

If I were you I would re-adjust your target, so that its realistic(keeping in mind what you have spent) and use the rest of the month to ease into the habit of OS, Then you will have a little experience to really go for it next month. We all make mistakes, but we dont always admit them. All the best and welcome.