October 2009 Grocery Challenge

rosieben

I've had a bit of a spend in the last couple of days and will be spending more tomorrow but its for cleaning and assorted stuff for my new flat. I'm keeping a record of spends; the big £££ will be next week for carpets and vinyl but as soon as they are fitted I shall be able to move in

mark55man

had a bit of a spend today to top up with fruit and a few veg for the weekend

bit naughty stocked up 2 for 1 McCoy's crisps as the kids love em and will save em snacking on more expensive stuff

OH bought some bits and bobs for cooking with the kids so will add that in later but think it prob another £25 so should still be OK so long as we don't go crazy over half term

Toonie

I've been a bit useless with updating the thread, but have tried to read every couple of days. We're up to about £80 or thereabouts which puts us well under, especially in as far as the annual total goes. This is partly due to not having much money to spend on food, but also not being able to carry much (I've got a bad shoulder, partner has done in his back again). I did get a bargain today though, I happened to be in M&S when some reduced things were being put out and I bagged myself a 1.5kg organic, free range chicken, which got roasted this evening and stripped of meat. We had some with some chips and veggies and then will use more tomorrow (curry for partner, couscous and roasted veg for me) and will put some in the freezer for next time he wants a curry.

I'm considering popping out early tomorrow to the Turkish supermarket to get some veggies for over the weekend as all we have in apart from frozen peas and sweetcorn is a swede. I'm trying to work out whether the £2 bus fare will be made up for in quality, quantity and variety, or if I should just stick to Somerfield and grab a few carrots and onions.

nmlc

Morning all

slow and steady -
don't beat yourself up because you didn't manage to stay within budget - I've been doing GC since Feb this year and this month is the first month I've succeeded - just view it as "how much would I be spending if I wasn't doing GC?". Go back and have a look at where you may be struggling, is that a regular problem or was this last month just a nightmare month? We all have times where it's difficult and life gets in the way - but don't ever think you've failed - just try to learn from that for next time. Don't be too hard on yourself (that could be easier said than done I know). At least you are aware of your individual situation and are trying to do something about it. Keep going don't give up - you will succeed in the end!
Keep safe and well everyone, hugs to those that need them.
nmlc

helen_jelly

Rosieben - Good luck with the moving - how exciting, I love moving

Slowandsteady - Congratulations on the job - Well Done

Freakyogre - once you're here you can't escape, as nmlc said this is all a learning curve for us and we need to keep at it otherwise your spending will go through the roof, at least you are aware of what you are spending now.

I have a suggestion - we cancel the word FAILED - personally I can't stand the word, we do not fail we simply need to look at our actions and decide how to change them or maybe we have really good reasons for going over budget but we still see it as a failure?!?!?! RANT OVER

Have a nice Saturday everyone
Helen x

tomtom03

Hi - could someone tell me how I can go straight to this thread? - I totally lost it and assumed I hadn't posted!

Been tracking for past two weeks and shocked myself...we go shopping most days as an activity to fill time (daughter disabled, becomes exhausted quickly)..... I assumed we spent £250 a month for the 4 of us...so far its been £400 for two weeks, and thats with me being 'good'. I'm going to have to break down the groceries to see what its being spent on....

mark55man

helen_jelly wrote: »

Rosieben - Good luck with the moving - how exciting, I love moving
..snip..
I have a suggestion - we cancel the word FAILED - personally I can't stand the word, we do not fail we simply need to look at our actions and decide how to change them or maybe we have really good reasons for going over budget but we still see it as a failure?!?!?! RANT OVER

Have a nice Saturday everyone
Helen x

I agree with Helen.

I don't remember this focus on failure from last time (18 months ago). Its not good karma, and doesn't set you up right for next month. OK if you didn't make the numbers you didn't make the numbers, but don't focus on just that.

The fact you are still on the board means you succeeded in spending less than you used to :beer:, you are probably better at not wasting food :beer:, you're meal planning is better than it was :beer:, and maybe you've learned a bit about what your budget should be and you are not setting unrealistic targets :beer:, and maybe you had some personal circumtances that were difficult which you had to overcome :T:T.

Or finally, maybe you went out and bought shed loads of junk at the most expensive supermarket and threw half of it away :eek::eek: - then maybe you might want to consider if you are in the right place and on the right board

helen_jelly

tomtom03 wrote: »

Hi - could someone tell me how I can go straight to this thread? - I totally lost it and assumed I hadn't posted!

QUOTE]


I have made this thread a favourite on my toolbar so that I just click straight on to it and don't have to subscribe or do a search to find it

Mark88man - thanks - you said that far better than me

Helen x

ellemm

Morning all. Helen declaring for October at £117.95.

Stuck to the shopping list again and only spent £7.16 in Aldi and £13.58 in Morrisons.

Had a pretty stressful day at work so OH treated me to a curry takeaway and he cooked his own tea, lovely.

Will do some batch cooking and baking today and stay away from the shops:o

Have a good weekend everyone.

Janae

Another update:
Had one small shop in the last three days so am currently on £321.25. Will need to shop today but will probably split whatever I spend as cut off day is Monday and November budget starts Tuesday. Also still need to find one receipt as OH paid but I still want to include it.

Slowand steady - congrats on the job. Don't worry about not sticking to your budget, you've still probably done better than you would have done without the Challenge. I only joined a few months ago and rarely reach target but am still pleased because I know I'm doing much better than I used to :T.
tomtom03 - as a sticky this thread is always at the top of the OS Forum list, or you can go to thread tools and subscribe to it, or just add to your bookmarks. HTH

Right, am off to do a little (hopefully) shopping list.

kj x