November 2009 Grocery Challenge

rosieben

Spirit wrote: »

Is there a December challenge? If so how does it work to account for Christmas........all tips welcome. Usually my spend at Christmas is a lost cause,.

Yes there will be a December challenge, Pink usually starts the new monthly thread on or around the 28th. she'll post a link to the new thread on here;

I usually spread my christmas shopping over three or four months, just fresh stuff to buy nearer the time so my december budget will be the same as usual (£80).

I think some GC'ers increase their budget for December; there are no hard and fast rules, just do it in whatever way suits you.

twiglet66

Well im doing really well this month probably end up about £50 under budget which im very pleased with, wont declare yet in case I have a mad spending spree, my theory is even if i do another shop between now and the 1st it will be one less to budget for in December!

Im going to stick to my £360 for December as its Christmas!

Herewegoagain

Hiya guys, been so busy at work not been on, am going to read back. Not sure If I'll be taking the Dec challenge as I'm off to oz to see my sis again, but it would be good to try the challenge over there. Is that allowed and are any of you lovelly peeps livin in oz who will give me some pointers on cheap shops etc, I'll be in Brisbane

Spirit_2

rosieben wrote: »

Yes there will be a December challenge, Pink usually starts the new monthly thread on or around the 28th. she'll post a link to the new thread on here;

I usually spread my christmas shopping over three or four months, just fresh stuff to buy nearer the time so my december budget will be the same as usual (£80).

I think some GC'ers increase their budget for December; there are no hard and fast rules, just do it in whatever way suits you.

Oh no. My Christmas food shop needs discipline - and structure - and tips on control........and I was looking forward to the GC providing it. Left to our own devices we can go mad.:eek:

So for December I think I need to do the following (the complete opposite of the "hell its christmas/free for all " spend fest it can be)

GC meal plan
GC shopping for above meal plan

Festive meal plan
Festive entertaining plan
Deduct days when we are out being entertained ...there are some.
GC Christmas food shopping
GC Christmas wine shopping


I will put it all into my supermarket.com to price it up - I won't buy it all that way (as I do my level best to spend as much of my money in our village shops as possible - farm shop fro meat, green grocers, coop). Some stuff will only be available elewhere though (nowhere for decent wine/limited deli).

Then I will set my food/drink budget. It is going to take ages..will have to do it over a couple of days..better make a cp of tea and start now.

SunnyGirl

Spirit Last year I menu planned, as usual, for all through Christmas & it worked very well. I bought food that I knew for sure we'd eat instead of the usual 'Ooh it's Christmas I must buy all the different cheeses etc in case someone comes and wants some' that I used to do :D I even put the Christmas lunch, Boxing day buffet & friends coming over on it. We had very few mountains of food left and the leftovers were all used up. Hope that this makes sense!

Do your lists & plans over a couple of days then it's not too overwhelming. HTH

sistercas

completely flunked November declaring at £456

highland_fling_2

Good morning everyone,

the sun is trying to shine here this morning. Makes a change from the wind and rain we have had recently, although that was nothing compared to what the poor souls in Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway are putting up with.

Have come in under budget this month and have managed to transfer quite a fair sum which has accumulated in my current account into my savings account. :j Not doubt it will be used in the new year for car repairs etc but just gives me a good feeling knowing that I have a little safety net for unforseen expenses.

Would like to stick to £180 for December Grocery Challenge please. Hope to drop total a little in the new year but don't think December is a good month to do so.

Good luck to everyone in December.

mark55man

Good morning everyone. I have a tale of woe for you as far as November is concerned, but for the forward looking ones December will be great

My OH and I fancied a coffee in town, but it was heaving so we went onto Mr S for a coffee and bun there. Yum yum (cheap date I hear you thinking!!)

Whilst there we decided to do some shopping together (don't get out much) and pretty much bought all we need for next week £62 - which I was planning to do early next week via Mr T. so with a £30 from Mr L to come tomorrow (so I can use the voucher) November is going to end up way over!!

So I will declare November at £695 (from £600 budget) and will set a new target for December (1st - 31st) of £500. to offset today's spends

Should be achievable as we will also be clearing the cupboards as we our having the kitchen done in January!!. .. pops off to the store cupboard challenge

savingforoz

Didn't do so well in Nevemebr - declaring at £84.71...taregt £70...hangs head in shame....

Not sure ref December figure just yet

helen_jelly

Hello

Budgets done up to and including Mark88man

Thanks everyone
Helen x