April Grocery Challenge 2006

chewy62

good idea! why does everything always happen at once? Chin up!

Shez

chewy62 wrote:

:j Do you avoid shops for the rest of the week?I find myself at a loose end sometimes and then nip into the Co-op or tescos to buy some bananas and bread and end up spending £10!! :eek:
I have been making lots of homemade meals and have filled the freezer, and even though I plan our meals for the week, I don't just stick to exactly what we need to make those meals. I always end up with more than I really needed. have to be more restrained! :rolleyes:

oh thats me too!!!!

Chell - yes ive started writing everything down that i spend and only taking cash with me, but it still seems to go quick enough!!!! need more restraint too! must try harder! ha ha

Charlie007 - sorry to hear about your troubles, hope things pick up next month for you.

chewy62

I started only taking a small amount of cash out with me cos I know that I will spend every penny in there! I also keep £5.oo note in the car in case of an emergency.
I am glad I am not actually doing the challenge this month as I seem to have spent a lot already and I haven't bought Easter eggs yet!
Worked out last night that most of our dinners cost £2.00-£2.50 to make, so this should help to work out my weekly shopping, but I still don't know whether to do a big shop or weekly shops?
I know it sounds sad but I quite look forward to going to Asda every Tuesday, so think I'll stick with weekly!

bulchy

Chewy, you could always do your shopping fortnightly, this way, you've got a bit extra money to bulk buy things like toilet rolls, soap powder etc. We did this last weekend, and with having that bit extra money were able to buy larger packs of things, so they were cheaper, admittedly some things its only pennies difference, but you know the old saying, look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves. You could still go to Asda each week, but the second week you would only be needing bread, milk and other bits and pieces. Worth thinking about.
Sue

chewy62

Thanks Bulchy! That makes perfect sense as I would still get my wee trip out!

bulchy

Your welcome Chewy, I found this easier than my week trial I had at the end of march. Hope it works as well for you as it has for me, good luck.Are you starting next tuesday?
Sue

Lemon_Tree

well on the second week and not doing too badly.
spent £18.27 this week, just under budget but got enough veggies for two weeks and so should only have to spend a minimum next week, unless i need to get cat food. I certainly have never gone this long without a takeaway which is certainly helping the budget!
I have also been really prepared and done some cooking and some baking. i am certainly rediscovering my love of cooking.
Lem

Sea78

Last day of week one and doing well, but waiting for OH to return (he works away) so I can convince him to pop out to get some supplies -including washing up liquid! If he does that'll be a fantastic start.. but I think he'll be wise to me

chewy62

Think I will start next Tuesday, even though I have quite a bit in the freezer and cupboards so I should hopefully not need the whole £50 for the week. :rolleyes:
If my OH goes to the Spar, I never include this in my weekly budget, d'ya think I should? :rolleyes:
Also, I don't know whether to itemise my receipts when I come home into food, magazines (heaven forbid!),dog food, nappies etc., so I can see exactly where it is all going.
Byeeee!!!! :beer:

angelatgraceland

I've been cutting down on dog food this month after reading the links on here for ideas as to what I could feed my dog. We are still using Wagg and Gusto but now cook her a meal most days also. Her doggy dinners are usualy chicken and rice with peas. Beef and rice. Porridge oats with boiling water poured over them, a couple of spoons of value gravy granules, let it soak and cool, then stir in some leftover mince or chicken. (doggy brakfast). This week I got a huge turkey from Iceland so its turkey all week for us all,in all sorts of disguises and the pets are getting a lot of home cooked dinners so Im also saving on the petfood. Determined not to waste anything so have frozen some of the meat for next week when I see a friend who said she would be glad of some(I realy won't want turkey next week too).