June '06 Grocery challenge

nicki_2

Well my shopping budget went completely out of the window this month again :mad: Mainly as I've been buying things and not keeping track of it this past week or so, plus the numerous "treats". So I've given up for now.

I'm going to stick to a storecupboard challenge instead. My 3 cupboards (all be them small), fridge and freezer are all heaving (some of it is freebies from clearing out my nannas cupboards/freezer/fridge after she died) so I've got enough in to last me.

Should be easier over the next few months as things are ready to harvest in the garden and DD being home from school so I don't need to buy special lunch things (but will put some money away over the Summer Hols to pay for stuff in September) because of restrictions set by the school about what can go in a lunch box :rolleyes:

Oh well, I'll try to start over after next pay day (I have a couple of bills I know will need paying as one offs as we switch utility suppliers out of next months money) which is 27th. Still watching what I'm buying this week though

jazzt1

Not doing so well with my target of £80 for month (including cat food and non-food/cleaning/beauty stuff) but I did spend £10.75 on plants on saturday so I'm blaming my vanity in wanting the garden to look nice!

So far spent £42 on food so with a fortnight to go that's not so bad - it'll only be small top-up bits until end of month ie sandwich materials. Guess if I can keep my food spend under £60 for the month that'll be good. Total for food, cat food and house stuff looks like it'll be around £90 which is £10 less than last month.

Actually, thinking about it £60 for a whole month of food is not a lot. I feel quite good! :cool2:

poppycracker

Well, I think we're still in with a chance of actually sticking to our budget this month!! I've managed to scrape together all the receipts from this month so far, (including holding OH upside-down and shaking him) and it looks like (if we don't include his tobacco) we've spent around £120. There is tons of stuff in the cupboard and the freezer (for once) so I reckon we should last til the 5th of July on £40....

I really am in awe of all of you who can budget for a family on less than £100!

jayarr_2

well, i seemed to have had a really good week last week, the £40 that i had left over was used for father's day presents, so that meant not having to find the money elsewhere, however, this week just seems awful..i've no idea where the moneys gone-but ive only got £20 and a few coins left..i think its possible that husband may have taken money from the wrong purse for his petrol, so that'd mean it was back up to £40 which sounds far more reasonable

so far this week we've had
monday-us, meal out-he paid, doesn't count..kids, chicken filets & veg
tues-us, chicken fillets and veg (like the kids on mon), kids-pizza, or chicken, i was feeling generous and gave them a free choice from asda
weds-us, ham egg and chips, kids-freezer tea, their choice

looking at that, it's just a totally disorganised week, and that's likely to be where some of the money has gone..am determined to be back on track next week..altho on a plus point, we've stuck to the packed lunch thing, so it's not all bad!

jayarr_2

i have just relaised, i've got £109+ left for the rest of this month and that theres just over a week left, so i havent done THAT badly, i'll draw £70 again at weekend to last us which'll mean we have £40+ left from original budget, and also the £40 that was used for FD presents, so i think the budget can go down-slightly next month, maybe to £60 a week :A

biglass

Stuck to my budget:j Albeit that it's lots more than other OS's have set themselves-but for me it's a big relief to have managed it ,as my shopping bills have been stupidly high and have been the major culprit of our regular overdraft which has had to be cleared on several occasions with a loan,using some remorgage cash and OH 's annual work bonus twice, I'm ashamed to say:o But hopefully I've come to my senses now.DD and DH have been moaning about Mother Hubbard situation which annoys me as we have all been well fed and had mainly HM food and puds too which is unusual for me;)

annie-c

I've not had a marvellous week, but have just come in under budget - though with no real savings as yet - maybe I should be more realistic next month!

I have enjoyed using up things in the cupboard though, and am actually building up quite a list of thiings that I have enjoyed using up, that I am actually running out of and that are cheap to replace, eg lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans etc. I am slowly but surely learning lots of new habits!!!

Doom_and_Gloom

Doom_and_Gloom wrote:

Budget = £50.
Spent already = £48.32.
Budget left = £1.68

Today I'm happy to say that due to my parents going on holiday tomorrow they are giving me some of the food that won't last till they get back (there again it won't last to long with my flat mates and me around it :rotfl: ) but it gives me some breathing room at least. They are giving me 2 bunches of bananas, 2 bags of grapes (1 red and 1 white), 1 bag of apples, 2 corn on cobs, jar of peanut butter (no one eats it but me and I won't be there next week as they are away so they are leting me take it), 3 little OY soya chocolate shakes, 200g of dried soya (not really one of the things that won’t last till they get back but they bought it for me and I’m running out at the flat so I’m allowed to take it). I don’t think I’m going to have it all that badly considering I just have to last another week (2nd July) as I am going back with a weeks worth of fruit at least.
I have actually found the best way in making sure you don’t spend any money. I haven’t been able to spend any as I haven’t a clue where I put my purse hehe. That means I still have £1.68 left out of my £50 budget . Who knows if I can't find it before saturday I may have £1.68 left over for this month!!

Budget = £50.
Spent already = £48.32.
Budget left = £1.68

jayarr_2

ok..went to asda yesterday, not good, daughter came with me and ofcourse i spent loads on 'extras'..ended up spending £45, but this included a £3 t shirt, so thats down to £42, and 2 packs of chicken fillets that were roughly double the normal size for £4-i think theres about 6 fillets in the pack, so these'll do for 3-4 meals..this takes my spend back to £34..so not too bad...

knithappens

I am doing really well this mont, i have maaged to stick inside the £50 budget. I just cant believ that i can and still have plenty of food in the house, goes to show just how much money i was waisting by not spending wisely.