March Grocery Challenge

chloe99_2

I've been reading the grocery challange thread so now's the time to get on and join in!!!

My worst problem (like someone else said - can't remember who) is if I have grocery cash at home it will get spent on something else that I just HAVE to have right now. Anyway, I reduced my total budget last month from about £250 for all groceries/cleaning/nappies etc for 2 adults, 5 yr old and baby down to £230, but am going to try for £200.

It feels a bit tight, like if anything comes up like new brush heads or something I'll overspend. But, not too bad this month. Month begins when DH gets paid, about 24th Feb til 24th March. Have done 2 Tesco deliveries (I don't go to supermarket as I impulse buy, can't stand all the crush and bustle and don't get tesco points!!) at £66 and £87 plus £16 in Boots and took out £45 cash. OOps!! I just added this up and it's already £214!!! So, I've got £10 left to last about 2 weeks and have overspent by £14.

Mental note - plan properly next time and take out the right amount of cash.

rchddap1

I have a credit card that it used for fuel, food and a few online bits and bobs that need the security of a credit card. When I get my card statement I can easily spot the grocery purchases and can add them up. I also make a mental note as the month goes along.

Some find cash easier....I don't as I tend to spend it if I have it. So instead I use my cards.

Its whatever is easiest for you to track and work with.

mcoletta

HI there I am reading this and very interesting in getting started ASAP . I was just wondering how much I should be spending on my weekly shopping bill! Any suggustions? Thanks

I was also wondering what good BOGOFs are avaliable. Any ideas?

Wendrie

Vin (dh) went to Costco on the way home....

spent this month: £67.77
plus today's Costco: 80.90
total so far £148.67

moggins

mcoletta wrote:

HI there I am reading this and very interesting in getting started ASAP . I was just wondering how much I should be spending on my weekly shopping bill! Any suggustions? Thanks

I was also wondering what good BOGOFs are avaliable. Any ideas?

There's no set rules, it depends on how many you are feeding? Just try meal planning and reducing your budget by a few pound every week until you feel the pinch and then go back a little

brummiebabe

Spent £3.65 on chicken/cheese/milk on Sunday.

Tesco shop delivered last night..£67.93.

Total so far: £165.79

Remaining budget: £104.21...wonder if I'll manage it this month! Have 2 more shop left!!

mcoletta

moggins wrote:

There's no set rules, it depends on how many you are feeding? Just try meal planning and reducing your budget by a few pound every week until you feel the pinch and then go back a little

Its just myself and I only get £40 a week as I am still at college but hope to get a proper paying job soon. I am looking at a budget of £10 a week! Is that possible?

skintchick

I'm doing really well this month (March 1-31).

Budget is £60 and so far have spent £5.77 last week and £2.92 this week = £8.69

So i have £51.31 to go and only two more shops!!! Gonna be waaaaay under this month!!

Have edited my challenge to £40 - a tenner a week, so have £31.31 to go (which is my normal budget for two weeks - STILL gonna be under!)

moozie_2

Hey there

Going ok with the challenge

Went into Sainsburys to pick up some tinned soup to help with the cold and ended up getting some nice bargains!

Baxters tinned soup was 3 for 2, 0.69 each
4 chicken skinless breasts were 5.99, 2 for 6.98
3 pork loin steaks were 2.49 each, 2 for 4.00
500g lean steak mince, 1.93 each, 2 for 3.50

With other bits, bill came to 23.87. So we have now got 96.83 left for the month. It will be fine

mcoletta

Those chicken breasts are expensive I must say! In Iceland at the moment, skinless chicken breasts are £2.50 for 500g.