February 2010 Grocery Challenge

slowandsteady_2

Evening all,

i've already declared for this month, but had to go shopping today for actual shopping rather than rubbish, although thats ok cos i havent been near a shop in about a week!

I went Mr M and got 4 bags of the 30p carrots, 3 bags of the 30p rooster potatoes, whoopsied mango and raspberries, loo rolls, 4 tins tuna @ £2, cheese and some tins of salmon that were buy one get two free. I rarely buy tinned salmon due to cost but this was a good offer so i got the maximum 6 tins, they will last ages cos salmon is a treat, dh doesnt like any tinned fish but i will eat tinned sardines and mackeral and pilchards to get my omega 3! Will use the carrots to make huge stock pot of carrot, lentil and barley soup for lunches, i do this usually once if not twice a week, its delicious and very popular with dh and dd for lunches when im working.

Im not adding this shop to Feb or Mar GC as although technically it should be added to Mar GC i found a pleasant surprise in my sad looking bank account yesterday of a Working Tax Credit payment, i didnt even know i was entitled in my new job! A small amount but still a wonderful welcome addition this month, so i have used that to buy my bits today.

My GC starts tommorow and im hoping this month there are no mix ups and chaos with me recieving my wages like last month, and i actually get paid what im due and on time!

Night all x

NJW69

I'm declaring £222 for February which is bloody amazing considering I started with a target of £350 last month.

Was talking about it to my Mum tonight (I called in after work) and she was amazed. I think the thing that has made the difference has been not popping into anywhere for bread, milk etc. Mum was saying she does it and spends at least £20 a time. She did it the other day and spent £39. I have only been in a supermarket when I have done my big shop. The only exception was in a Co-op at the petrol station the other day when they had Krave (a new Kelloggs cereal my son likes) for half price so I bought two. I would have bought some in my online shop but they didn't have any.

I'm planning better and checking what we have in before I go shopping and using up stuff in date order etc. Sounds logical but I did throw quite a lot away before. Now if something is going out of date I either use it or freeze it.

I think I will say £250 for March and see how it goes. I do have a full freezer so I'm going to use that up and challenge myself to make different stuff than normal.

KITTY_2-2

Today is the last day of my GC so declaring at £231.67. This is 11.67 over budget but I'm not too disappointed as that is less than January. I had to buy a new rear light unit for the car to pass the MOT so couldn't afford to overspend too much on food which has helped with the NSDs also. We are quite well stocked for next month on household items though my shopping list still seems long.

I'm going to go back to £250 for March as it is a 5 week month for me. Also have 2 birthdays to cater for - my little brother is 30 and my youngest DS is 16. It will be expensive...........!

Well done everyone even if, like me, you're over budget. At least now we are more aware of our spending and can work on it together. The support on here is wonderful and I'd like to thank you all for posting. It makes me feel less like I'm in this alone :grinheart

PennyGrabber

Keiss_21 wrote: »

Going to plan the next month's meals in the next day or so, then sort out an on-line order from Mr T early next week....at least that is the plan...I am all for plans!!!

Plans are amazing! Never work for me though!!
Having said that, I'm going to try my damnedest to be under budget for 2 months in a row.
My monthly plan is:

1. make a list of meals for the month, whilst looking in the cupboards and freezers to use up whatever i can
2. make sure events are included, eg going out for dinner, or a bday party
3. list the extra things that will be needed to make those meals that i can buy now
4. list the things i'll need to buy nearer the time (fresh veg etc)
5. go round the house looking in every cupboard seeing what else needs buying eg loo rolls, and putting them on the NOW list or the LATER list
6. go shopping (buying a few extra bits as i can't help it!!)
7. run from the plan, but swap meals if i want to
8. not buy anything but the essentials for the rest of the month (the later list)

i'm really good at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
It's the rest i struggle with!

MUST TRY HARDER!!! MUST TRY HARDER!!! MUST TRY HARDER!!!

2 NSDs in a row now though, and only on day 3 of my month so yeah!! Maybe this is the month...

PennyGrabber

KITTY wrote: »

Well done everyone even if, like me, you're over budget. At least now we are more aware of our spending and can work on it together. The support on here is wonderful and I'd like to thank you all for posting. It makes me feel less like I'm in this alone :grinheart

Here here, the support we give each other is amazing, especially as in some ways we're strangers, in other ways friends.

slscarborough

I am really struggling to stick to my £300 a month budget and need to spend as little as possible in March & April. I return to work following maternity leave soon and will go a whole month before getting paid. My Oh will be quitting his job to stay at home and only works a week in arrears.

Any suggestions on how to cut back would be great.

Glamazon

I think I need to join in Shopping went a bit wayward this month!

My challenge is for all Groceries for myself, OH, BIL (who lodges with us) and LO. Doesn't include LO's Formula but will include all his meals.

Just working on a meal plan but I plan to aim for £200 for March

Hoping to come under this but that may be wishful thinking!

ETA - Just done a Meal Plan and checked prices online, seems £170 was a bit optimistic. Will go for £200 and see how we get on.

albacookie

Another £4.65 - all done for Feb now.

I'll be away for the first week of March so going to go for £80 for March thanks.

New2theMoneyGame

Hi all, this my 1st post ever(!), I've been following February's thread and would like to join in for March. Can you please put me down for £200 for the month (4th March-1st April).
Not sure if this is feasible, have only been doing my own grocery shopping for a few months now but we'll see how it goes.
Shopping will be for 2 adults but my OH is always at home during the day and is into weight training so eats a LOT - may need to ration him to meet the target haha - any tips and tricks will be much appreciated.

Casperthefriendlyghost

hi everyone

Finally managed to start feeling slightly human again. Had surgery on Monday, spent 2 days in hospital and today at home in agony and throwing up! Sorry about that, but think the drugs are finally starting to work although I'm still in pain, but it's mostly bearable, but still have a totally useless arm in a sling lol.

I'm posting my total for Feb as £ 46.44 which is £6.44 over my total. I got paid on the 25th (today) so my next challenge is £40.00 again which will run from 25.02.2010 to 24.03.2010.

With not being able to go out, or eat much due to being sick all the time, I think I might be able to stick to it this month. Good luck everyone and well done!

Cheers
Casper
x x