October 2009 Grocery Challenge

rosieben

helen_jelly wrote: »

... 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?!?!?! ...

What she said!! :T:T:T

mark88man wrote: »

... 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. ...

and what he said :T:T:T

elizabunny

Hello everyone. Trotted out to the freezer this morning and horror of horrors it's on the blink again. Think I've managed to save most of it because, although the blackberries were not solid, they were still pretty frozen. Luckily I have three freezer drawers in the house, so managed to get most of it in there for the time being, until DH can have a look at it. This is the second time in 3 months:mad: Realistically I suppose we need to replace the freezer, but can't at the mo. Glad we didn't have it full of meat etc!
As I'm feeling a bit better today I'm going to try and do some cooking and get back on track. Hopefully we can manage a NSD today, but I notice MrL has an offer coming up of honey at around half price and it's a bit too good to miss, however I think it might not start until Monday. Trying to fight my urge for shopping therapy, but there seem to be some good offers around.
Have a good day everyone.

highland_fling_2

Hi everyone,
having a lazy Saturday. Have been invited out to dinner tonight so don't have to prepare a meal here. Have made spicy lentil soup for lunch. It is a hm soup type of day here, wet, windy and dull.
Popping out soon to buy milk and go to the atm machine. Yet to be seen if I return with only milk.:rolleyes: Will try my best.
Totally agree with previous posts re failure. I don't think we should beat ourselves up for going over by a few pounds/pence. Just being aware of your spending is a learning curve. We are not always going to succeed but as long as we do our best within our individual circumstances we have certainly not failed.:beer:
On that note I will declare at £184 for October and aim for £180 for November.
Good luck everyone with the next GC.

Toonie

As the weather is grotty, I've decided Somerfield is the one for me, but will wait until the rain has stopped, or at least calmed down a bit. Just had a chicken sandwich for lunch, very yummy and still loads left. Think I'm going to go do some baking in a minute as my shoulder is much better than it has for the last two weeks. Planning on banana bread and rock buns and possibly plum crumble (brown bananas in bowl, plums in freezer from my Mum's garden).

chocolatebum

big friday shop yesterday and spent £98.16, also spent £14.72 on a takeaway as we were out last night so had something whilst out, so adding on £112.88

Angelfeathers

Well, I have officially blown the budget for this month. I could have stayed within if I'd really tried, but since there's money in the bank I didn't see why we shouldn't spend a bit more of it! :-)

Recent spends:

21/10: £7.87 in the Co-op (hubby - bread, milk, eggs... and a Galaxy bar and a Pot Noodle :rolleyes:)

Today:
£4.50 in Boots on necessary women's stuff and value paracetamol
£1 in Poundland for milk
£21.11 in M&S for more eggs, more bread, bananas, sweets for DS, small double cream and a meal for 4 for £15

It's a lot of money, but the meal for 4 was another bargain. We got salmon (worth £10.99!), roasting veg, chocolate fudge pudding and a bottle of wine and saved £9.96!

Okay, so I would never actually spend anywhere near £15 on a meal for us, but this should spread to at least two meals, plus it's hassle free and that, every once in a while, is worth every penny. :-)

JayJay14

Just updating sig - £146.35 - would have been an NSD but popped in to M&S to have a look at the dine in for 4 for £15 offer. Was with DD1 so got £25.96 worth of lovely grub (and wine) for £12 as her OH works in M&S and she flashed the 20% discount card for me....result.

Now have a beautiful piece of lamb, roasting veg and cheese board for dinner tommorow, and as there are only 2 of us plenty of leftovers!!

kippers

I've just done my payday sums and i've not done it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've got to try harder!!!!

I'm very angry with myself!!!!

My spend for October was £374.90 and it should have been £300. I know it's because i've not been doing my sums and guessing!


Pls put me down for £300 in November and i'm going to try really really really hard!

freakyogre

helen_jelly wrote: »

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.

Thanks, I know you're right!

I think my first mistake was not doing a month beforehand and actually seeing what I was spending, I just took a guess and tried to stick at it instead.

I ended up going to Tesco this morning and blew it, but nevermind! I bought an electric toothbrush (advice from my new dentist) and some toiletries (how can I ignore Herbal Essences when it's BOGOF?!) but apart from those it was mainly fruit and veg, some crisps for lunches and some cakes (which I bought for my dad).

Frugaldom

Just a quick update from me: From my £1.76 smoked ham hough I got a large pot of stock that made enough soup for 9 bowls. From the ham I removed from the bone I got a full size ham & egg flan/quiche plus a cheese & ham pie. From the little bit of pastry left over from making the cases for the pie and quiche I made a jam tart and the birds in the garden had a feast from the ham fat, so I'm happy with that. Next out of the freezer is a £1.47 turkey drumstick. Feeling quite positive on the cooking front today.