October 2009 Grocery Challenge

helen_jelly

CW - hope you don't mind but I've copied your budget headings and I've started a spreadsheet for November as I think we need to control these other areas aswell as the Grocery. DH doesn't realise how much these things cost and how much we are spending [especially on Wine and Beer] I can't wait to see the look on his face when I produce Novembers finalised budgets!!! He is very good at the Grocery bit just no good at anything else money wise.

I've made a note of the budgets up to and including Rachelmk - thank you everyone
Gotta go now as kiddies tea is ready
Have a nice evening everyone
Helen x

millienjacksmummy

chewy62 wrote: »

Still keeping it together, only £60 until next Thursday, but think I can make it! Does anyone have a separate budget for things like wine!?, magazines, clothes, trips out etc.? I think this is where more of my money seems to be dissappearing, so could do with keeping a better eye on this!
Think I might need to change my budget to weekly from next Thursday as it ties in better with my tax credit etc, as it is paid weekly.
How is everyone else doing?

I include booze in my groceries hence the £400!! and newspapers anything I get in the supermarket as I wanted to minimise teh sometimes huge spends I have in some supermarkets as I end up buying things I dont need (wine and beer though are essentials for us! as is the occasional/weekly gin and tonic!)
Everyone is different though and you might want to track separate!

cw18

helen_jelly wrote: »

CW - hope you don't mind but I've copied your budget headings and I've started a spreadsheet for November as I think we need to control these other areas aswell as the Grocery.

You're more than welcome

The only one missing that most people will have is Rent/Mortgage, and I also (for 2009 anyway) exclude anything hobby related (dread to think how much I've spent on my card making/scrapbooking this year :eek: )

As I don't have young children I also don't have anything budgeted for school dinners/snack/uniforms/trips or extra-curriculum activities (all things my DD has to budget for)

elizabunny

This is my third attempt at a post tonight, I do not know what is wrong with me, anyway hello everyone!

I managed to get out for a little while today, couldn't walk far and had to keep stopping and leaning on things -couldn't pick up anything heavy or carry it -so DH had to, in fact, all in all I felt pretty useless. Spent just under £7 on some nice biscuits for Xmas which I think were a bargain, had to buy kitchen rolls for 97p and water filters, 3 for just under £5 and also some Camomile tea to calm me down -20 bags for 75p in MrW. You can see by my vagueness, that I'm just not coping with the GC at the moment so feeling a bit defeated we had an easy supper of fish and chips from the chippie.

However, I do not intend to give in even though I am horrendously disorganised and overspent this month. I will try and sort myself out a bit to declare next week and also sort out some sort of budget for November. Have just checked the freezer and we have 1lb of mince, half a bag of fish, 10lb of Blackberries and 3 bags of Swiss Chard to last us for the rest of the month -that should prove interesting We do however, have cheese, eggs, sardines, tuna and some fresh fruit & veggies amongst other things in the fridge and also some other bits & bobs in the stock cupboard, I think we'll have to be everso slightly inventive, which would be alot easier if I was a bit more mobile. Oh well, what fun would life be if we weren't challenged now and again. Not sure if thats come out quite right Any way happy friday everyone have a good evening.

freakyogre

I'm not sure i'll do this next month as i'm about to 'fail' another month! I woke up late today and hadn't done anything for lunch so ended up buying a sandwich at £2.30 and some crisps later in the day - 40p.

That leaves me with about £2 for the month, which I could actually do as only need to buy some bread (given up making it, it goes stale after a day) and some spinach and I have everything for meals next week. But I will also need milk at some point and i'm running out of fruit and veg, so it's unlikely to happen (does using Tesco vouchers count as spending? I have £6 waiting to be used )

Then again, if I add up the toiletries i've bought they total £8.65 and then £3.88 on magazines/newspapers.

Hmm!

PrincessMort

spent £18.11 in morisons today. This will hopefully get us through till payday next friday so declaring for October at £128.11. very chuffed - cant wait to start next month!:dance:

chewy62

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I think I def need to do a budget for food and then for others.(?)
Already have separate account for car expenses, oil, clothes and unplanned things, so just need to sort one out for eating out etc, and booze!
Once again, cheers everyone, my eyes have been opened!

slowandsteady_2

Evening all, havent been on here since it began this month i dont think, crazy month with lots of job applications and subsequent interviews, however has come to fruition and I have been ofered a f/t job at the NHS Trust i used to work for before my job i just left. That fresh start is on its way! I have routine occupational health on Monday and am not looking forward to it because of my previous health problems, however had a good chat with the interviewers and they were understanding and fine with the past situation and offered me the job straight away so it cant be too much of an issue...i hope.....no it will be fine and im well and fit now so will all be fine.

So thats my excuse for DECLARING AS FAILED FOR OCT.

Why cant i get this right, i dont understand why i cant stop shopping, i think i have a problem! I just cant resist bargains and yet my THREE freezers are bursting as are my cupboards and pantry, i have rearranged them again so know what i have in there and really need to use it, more so now im not going to be a part timer for much longer but a full timer with a 60 minute commute back and forth to work and a baby!

I think part of the problem is i do like shopping for fresh ingredients so i go for them and come back with other crap!

Any way havent decided what budget i will try for for november because i have no idea what my money situation will be as am owed 3 weeks holiday pay from last place but only earning a part time minimum wage from current place and dont have start date for new place but will manage with all my supplies!

Thanks for reading if you got this far!

See you in november and good luck with those doing well x

cw18

slowandsteady wrote: »

Evening all, havent been on here since it began this month i dont think, crazy month with lots of job applications and subsequent interviews, however has come to fruition and I have been ofered a f/t job at the NHS Trust i used to work for before my job i just left. That fresh start is on its way!

Congratulations :j

taka

Congrats slowandsteady!