February 2010 Grocery Challenge

carolt2

Evening all, Just logged on to update signature, spent £38.27 in Mr T this morning, and £9.75 in Home bargains.
Not expecting to go to shops again this month, total spend so far this year is around the £300 mark. So bang on target with annual budget.:)

cuffey

Happened to be in Boots today (getting lucozade for my poorly boss), and spotted the Nivea Q10 moisturiser that I always use on 2 for £10 (so half price). I bought 4 pots - but might go back tomorrow and stock up on them a bit more. I reckon that's as cheap as you'd get them anywhere (unless anyone knows better?!)

Has anyone else noticed that when you plan and shop accordingly you have much less waste in your dustbins? In the past I would easily fill a wheelie bin with rubbish (sometimes to overflowing). We're more than halfway through a fortnightly collection cyle, and I've not put anything in the bin outside yet. I'm thinking very carefully about every meal, using all the leftovers and being mindful of portion control.

I'm really enjoying this challenge!!

Mrs_Money_Penny

Hi All

Haven't called in for a while. Just updated signature by £66.04 which i spent over half term. Won't be adding much to it this week. Good luck everyone. Another month will soon be here.

babyboysmommy

cuffey wrote: »

Has anyone else noticed that when you plan and shop accordingly you have much less waste in your dustbins? In the past I would easily fill a wheelie bin with rubbish (sometimes to overflowing). We're more than halfway through a fortnightly collection cyle, and I've not put anything in the bin outside yet. I'm thinking very carefully about every meal, using all the leftovers and being mindful of portion control.

I'm really enjoying this challenge!!

I wrote about less waste on my blog today A wonderful sign that I must be doing something right :T

I'm enjoying the challenge as well. Have been cross stitching for the first time in years as I'm making a 65th birthday present. I have everything I need apart from a frame but I'll get one at the Range when the time comes. A cheap present but one that will be wrapped in love.

slowandsteady_2

Evening all,

Think im going to declare for February at whatever my signature says below!

Have SO much to pay out in next few weeks-two MOTs, two car Tax's, amongst other stuff:eek: wil need to keep GC bill down despite now having good FT work!

I am going for March budget £140 please Mrs M

I think this will work out nicely as my freezers are barely run down despite living out of them this month! My storecupboards are getting bit low though so think i'll do an inventory of them when i have chance.

Am very tired this week, two long days then an early shift today and now three days training, roll on weekend when i have some time off! Have to meal plan but havent the energy!

Oh well, off for some tea, am even too tired to do that but im hungry!

Night all x

peetzil39

Hi all,
My month is up today, so am declaring £455.42 which is sadly £43.75 over budget Have checked through all receipts, and extra is def going on small trips to local shops, so will try and knock that on the head this month. Think I got a bit complacent as well, after coming in on target last month! Have also had 3 takeaways this month, mainly due to poor meal planning and organisation, so lots to improve on for March I guess Onwards and upwards.....oops nearly forgot budget for March £411.67 please Mrs M, thanks!
Peetzil x

ikkleosu

Well, delighted to say I made it under budget with my last shop of the month today.

Spent £38.59 in Asda, however that included a £5 cardi, a birthday card and moisturiser!
I was dissapointed they ddidn't have any of the £2 chickens so bought a more expensive one. And bought 4 packs of Irn Bru bottles - I go through 1 a week usually and they have them on 2 for £3 which is a saving of £2! That should make March a cheaper month for grocery shopping.

So I will set next month's target at £175.

This has been my first month doing the challenge and it has completely changed the way I think about my shopping. Previously I would just buy stuff that i saw and fancied, now I'm sticking to a list and only allowing myself a couple of impulse buys of treats a week. I also used to look at a week where I didn't need much in the way of essentials and would then top my shopping up to the usual amount in other stuff. So stupid!

Hopefully this change will stay and we can pay off our debts more and/or allow ourselves more treats. (eg as I came in £10 under budget we had MCDonalds for tea. Not Moneysaving but we all need treats now and then).

kimmee

Hi everyone

A much more successful month this time - I'm declaring at £286.81 for February, which is £13.19 under my target :j, rather better than last months dismal failure. I'm much more aware of the checking the cost of food rather than just 'buying it cos I always do'! However I'm also aware that this was a 4 week month rather than a 5 week month, and also DS1 back at uni so I shouldn't get too complacement.

I'm going to go for £300 again for March please.

I love reading through this thread (tbh, all this forum) - it's all very inspirational, thanks again to all and wishing you all a very successful March

Kpw76

Can i join in march please with a budget of £70

savvyshe

Two days into my new month and I have had 2 NSD days,:j should'nt need to go to shops till Thursday so will visit Lidl after picking DH from work then, Have been thinking that I might dig up side garden up at Front of house and plant some fruit bushes and veggies such as beetroot and leeks but intermix them with pansies etc, It seems such a waste of land as veggies etc are traditionally grown in back gardens and I do like my back lawn for DGS and DGD to play in. Think I might try to grow flowers from seeds this year. It will give me something to do instead of visiting the shops!! Sorry i'm prattling now.

PLEASE CAN I JOIN MARCH WITH £160 didn't manage it last month but feel more condfident Good Luck everyone with March challange.:)