Singles - How much do you really spend on groceries?

Mags_cat

elsien wrote: »

Because I'm lucky enough not to have to watch every penny,

That's the point, though, isn't it?

This isn't a competition - or at least I think it shouldn't be. Otherwise it'll rapidly turn into that Monty Python sketch where they're all trying to outdo each other in tales of woe and hardship.

I budget £200 a month for all groceries, take aways, booze and going out. That's £50/week just for myself. But then, I can afford to spend that and I don't waste things. OS is something I use to monitor myself in the wastage stakes - I don't need to scrimp but I certainly need to make sure I use everything and try to get the best deals I can *for my budget*.

Jacey53

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Jacey53, the very first thing you should do before you try cutting down is to buy a little note-book and write down every single penny you spend as you spend it. It's a flipping eye-opener and you'll be able to spot where it's slipping through your fingers quite quickly. You probably won't have to turn into an obsessive miser to feel the difference

Thank you B.A.T - I am going to start doing this from the beginning of February. I suspect that as you say it will be an eye-opener.

Ever since I started looking at the postings on the MSE site I have become very aware of what I waste and want to put a stop to it if I can.

This in itself will save me money (and time).

Thanks to all for support.:beer:

lilac_lady

I'm a £35 per weeker too. I include wine, freerange eggs and organic chicken and salmon in that. In the past I had to spend less on good food so I appeciate the fact that I don't have to scrimp on it now. Hats off to those of you who manage on so little each week.

flutterbyuk25

SueC wrote: »

How do you do it? How do you do it? How do you do it????? :T

Ummm I'm not sure how I do it, I just do! :rotfl:

I do have a well stocked storecupboard and freezer. I could easily live for a month (or even 2) without buying anything other than fresh veg/fruit/milk/eggs!

I have all the major supermarkets within 10min drive so I shop around. I check online for the bargains like Aldi's super 6 and Morrisons offers. If I am doing a top up shop then I ony ever use a basket, cos that way I can't just chuck stuff in the trolley that catches my eye!

I have a shopping list so I know what I need. I also keep an eye out for special offers and stock up if money allows. I also use the Farmfoods vouchers at Tesco to get money off my total.

I was on hols for 3 out of the 4 weeks of my last pay packet so didn't have to go food shopping. As I had the money there I decided to go out and stock up on things. I now have a mountain of Napolina chopped tomato's as they were half price, a few boxes of cereal, lots of long life milk and other tinned goods, plus 2 jars of Nescafe Gold Blend (the only coffee I drink) :rotfl:

I guess it was just the way I was brought up. My parents do the same. I remember about 10 years ago we had over 200 toilet rolls in their house as there was a stupidly good deal on so they stocked up!!

x

bundly

Owing to having a condition called hyperinsulinism I cannot eat wheat or sugar, or white carbs like rice and potatoes.

I can only eat meat, fish, eggs, cheese and non-starchy vegetables.

I find that people who spend little on food tend to get by on a lot of noodles and bread.

I spend an obscene amount of money on food.

The butcher brings me about £50 worth of meat a week, plus at the supermarket I buy prawns, smoked salmon, Polish sausage, broccoli, green beans and sprouts. I also buy fizzy water but only the cheapest.

Because I am lazy I buy veg that has been prepared and is ready to go. This makes even things like sprouts expensive.

My dad was a chef and he used to be proud of saying he could eat well on £10 pw. Even adjusting for inflation that would be £20 in today's prices. His menus included things like oxtail stew and pigs' trotters, though!

Liz3yy

When I lived alone I would spend around £15-20 a week. Once I even managed £10. Back then though I was new to having my own place and really careful with my money after getting a mortgage for the first time.

SueC_2

Mags_cat wrote: »

That's the point, though, isn't it?

This isn't a competition - or at least I think it shouldn't be. Otherwise it'll rapidly turn into that Monty Python sketch where they're all trying to outdo each other in tales of woe and hardship.

I budget £200 a month for all groceries, take aways, booze and going out. That's £50/week just for myself. But then, I can afford to spend that and I don't waste things. OS is something I use to monitor myself in the wastage stakes - I don't need to scrimp but I certainly need to make sure I use everything and try to get the best deals I can *for my budget*.

Thanks Mgs-cat, you're spot on.

This isn't about proving who is worst off - it's true that there will always be someone worse off than you. I purely wanted to get a feel for what the 'average' figure is, and how I'm performing against it. I'm very lucky, in that I'm not struggling to find every penny, but like you, that doesn't mean I want to waste many pennies. When it's just me out here doing my own thing, it's hard to get a feel for exactly how wasteful or prudent I am being.

Again, thanks everyone for taking part!

carolfunkydiva

We decided this year that we would really try to cut back, make do and minimise waste. I've always thought I was excellent at using stuff up but even I have been surprised at my efforts this last 4 weeks. This week we spent £15 on food for the 2 of us (lowest yet). I made fishcakes (tin tuna and pilchards with potato - yum. £1 for 8, so 4 frozen), had omelette to use eggs up. I made a veg stew by putting all the bits of veg from fridge in the slow cooker and added lentils/canned beans for flavour and protein. If there is any food left and its suitable I liquidise it for soup next day. I dont need a lunch as I get a light duty meal each day at work and hubbie never buys sandwiches, always doing his own packed each day. We buy 3 beers a week for Saturday night.The money we had left in the account this month from being frugal has been saved for the summer holiday spending fund. I now do a menu each week to go shopping with, thinking very carefully about what can be doubled up - eg tomorrow I am buying spinach and have made sure that I have 2 meals this week needing it as the bag does us 2 days.I also grabbed some Tesco late night bargains and was amazed with what could be done with it all. Its also a chance sometimes to cook something different with the bargains you get - more exciting than the same run of the mill menus each week! In a normal week we allow £40 max between us but we've made do with much less every week this year so far!

carolfunkydiva

Maybe we need a separate thread with recipe ideas on cheap meals that we make? I'll offer up my fishcakes as a starter if anyone is interested

lj_1993

What does 'nuked' mean?