October 2009 Grocery Challenge

kindofagilr

I found we spent more money when we did a "big" monthly shop once a month and then went to the shop every sunday for "essentials"

We'd spend like £150 at the start on a big shop, then every sunday we'd spend £35-£45 a week as well

So we've found it better going once a week, planning what we are going to eat that week and buying just for that.

Fingers crossed but it's going ok so far

BigMummaF

I've just found out there is a Poundland opening about 10 miles from us. I know I've read on other threads about the variety of toiletries & stuff they do, but are they any good for food-stuffs please?
As to budget, I've spent £12:15 on food, but another eighteen quid on non-related spends. It all has to come out of my purse; I'm not sure I can be so organised as to separate out the items from my receipts & it all revolves around the home so...yup! Still 100% confused :rotfl:

TheBees

Evening everyone -

Had a lovely slow cooked bolognese this evening and enough for another meal for 4 gone in the freezer thanks to two handfuls of oats!

Also made some soup from a recipe in Prima magazine - sweet potato and butternut squash - 4 tubs gone in the freezer and one ready for my packed lunch tomorrow. I'm going to experiment and see if it stays warm in a flask.

Freakyogre - Were you planning on walking on Dartmoor today? I notice you mentioned a pasty so guess you're in the West Country. We were on Dartmoor today letterboxing around Bellever Tor - it was a bit drizzly but not too bad!

NSD today and hoping for another one Monday and Tuesday too.
Good luck everyone!

DevonGirl

kindofagilr wrote: »

I found we spent more money when we did a "big" monthly shop once a month and then went to the shop every sunday for "essentials"

We'd spend like £150 at the start on a big shop, then every sunday we'd spend £35-£45 a week as well

So we've found it better going once a week, planning what we are going to eat that week and buying just for that.

Fingers crossed but it's going ok so far

Hi there, am new to this thread - normally I'm over on Debt Free Wannabee - can I join?

Must agree with kindofagirl- I tried the monthly 'big shop' thing, but found with loads of food in the house, I ate like a queen for 2 weeks, and then spent the last 2/3 weeks of the month eating the dregs from the freezer, without enough money for stuff like sandwiches for work, breakfasts and fresh fruit, so thoroughly agree with the weekly shopping approach. Also, having spent a huge amount on the once-a-month shop, it made me feel poorer than dividing my monthly food budget into weeks, if that makes sense...?
DG

HowlinWolf

Hello, MRs M, can you put me down for £350 again please

Went to Mr M today, spent as below but had an almost total restock of cupboards. I've made a huge vat of tom sauce for the freezer for ds. Will do home made chicken nuggets for him tomorrow. Spend includes dvd for ds as he was (for once) good in the supermarket. Had a hugely full trolley including 6 free range chicken breasts. Minced lamb, two lots of minced steak, 2 pack of best bacon, 4 packs best sausages and loads of other stuff. If i'd been in Mr T I reckon it would have cost me closer to 200. I've done the menu plan for the whole month now so only small shops now needed. DS's birthday later in the month so will have to budget for cake ingredients and a family meal

helen_jelly

Evening everyone

Budgets done up to and including Milliemonster

Welcome to all the new people - its nice to see so many new people joining the thread [poor MrsM - so much work for when she comes back!!]
Check out the recipes on page 1, updated by Roseiben who does a grand job.
Ask any questions that pop in your mind - there are loads of clever people on here who will help out. Have fun checking out the whoopsies, they can make a huge difference to your budget.

We have spent £7 on fruit and veg from the market [got loads of oranges and apples] and spent £10.39 at L1dls and A1dis today on top up bits, other than milk and bread I can't see what more we can need for a few days and only fruit and veg top up then [hopefully]

Helen x

JayJay14

Called in at Costco today on the way back from Meadowhall and spent more than I intended as usual. I am trying their washing powder - should take me about a year to get through the tub:rotfl:

So in the end the damage was only about £24 as I bought tuna and rice that I will get the money back for from DD1 & 2.

Shouldn't need to buy much in the way of food this week, though that is a good job cos I have a huge bill going out on 7th and OH gets paid weekly being a temp, so while it can make budgeting easier in some ways a big car bill can really thow you off kilter.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

freakyogre

TheBees wrote: »

Freakyogre - Were you planning on walking on Dartmoor today? I notice you mentioned a pasty so guess you're in the West Country. We were on Dartmoor today letterboxing around Bellever Tor - it was a bit drizzly but not too bad!

We were indeed! We stopped on the way to get some petrol and other bits and it started drizzling and in the distance it looked even worse so decided to give it a miss. I haven't been there for years so was looking forward to it, i'm sure we'll try it again one week.

MadamMim2013

Hi all, just posted on the sept bit then realised should have put it here really
£250 for october please!! Ta muchly

CRANKY40

Blairweech wrote: »

Hi all,

NSD yesterday as I am off sick with a bad cough.

I am struggling with the ethical vs cheap food debate - I really want to go organic, fairtrade etc but don't think I can afford it...maybe it is that I lack faith in my cooking skills, and am afraid of mucking it up and ending up having to chuck it out. And I am always tempted by cheap meat and offers.

Any ideas/tips to help lower the cost of organics? (or point me in the direction of a suitable thread)

We bought some organic welsh black braising steak from our local farmers market last time dh was home. I am not a prolific meat eater, but it did taste different and better. We bought one pack to try. It did several meals, and supplemented with dumplings, there was plenty.

I would say shop round a bit and see what you can find to try.