February 2010 Grocery Challenge

mummygems

Well have had a terrible month with the challenge!

I got a tax rebate and thought I would treat us to some nice things which lead to more nice things and more etc so I am declaring February now at £531 which is £156 over budget :eek:

Am absolutely disgusted with myself. I only did it really because (a) we had some extra unknown money and (b) my husband's job WAS safe. Now it looks as though he is going to be made redundant at the end of March (or at the very least have to take a massive pay cut) which means we will have zero money coming in but lots of money to go out

March grocery is going to have to be the month that I come in under budget by a looooooooooong way.

Anyways enough of me moaning. Between Tuesday and Sunday this week I am having NSD which has just got to help!

Am off to have a look at all the foods listed on the first page to see what I can make from scratch with little cost for next month.

Gemma

poohbear59

I thought I had pared our spending down to the bare bones but if anyone can help further I would be very grateful. My £10 per adult per week includes all laundry products, loo rolls etc.

1.I meal plan
2. never throw any food away.
3. Buy in bulk where I can
4. At least three veggie meals a week
5. Supplement meat eg mince with loads of veggies, oats etc Sometimes soya mince.
6. No puddings except Sundays
7. Grow my own where I can but 1200ft above sea level isn't the best climate for a lot of veggies.
8 Make my own bread
9. Own hens for eggs
10. Now plan lunches as well as main meals
11. Cook dried beans etc and freeze
12. Use cheap cuts of meat,
13. Grow soft fruit and make jams and chutneys
14.Never say no to any food that is offered e.g. rabbits
15. Just started to buy more frozen vegetables as they seem to be cheaper

Where does my money go? Mainly on cheese, milk and fresh fruit and vegetables, bread flour, butter and meat. No biscuits, cakes, juices have been bought for ages.

Any more advice would be very gratefully received. I should add we don't live near any shops so calling in for whoopsies is virtually impossible.

If I have forgotten anything that is glaringly obvious please tell me:)

cuffey

mama67 wrote: »

I haven't put my landfill wheelie bin out for emptying since 4 january and it is still less than 1/3 full.

I usually put a carrier bag worth (200g) into it weekly

That's extraordinary! Another challenge for us perhaps?!

Linda32

Hello all,

Spent £296.58 last month so aiming at £280.00 for this month, I work on a 4 week basis so my month will start today 31st Jan and finish 28th Feb

So Far, £228.51

Co-op £3.87
Co-op £16.32
Tesco £23.76
Tesco £47.37

£319.83 :eek:

lizzyshep

I won't be spending any more before Friday (pay day) so would like to declare £78 for Feb please.

I'm not happy with this as it's almost double what I planned, and February is a short month! Need to do better in March...

Moniker

Just calling in to declare £264-64 for Feb. This is £5-36 under budget so I am pleased with that. I was tempted to set the target lower for March, but as it will be a 5 week month for me I have decided to stick at the same level. If it's not too soon please put me down for £270 for March please Mrs M. My March budget goes from tomorrow 25th Feb to 31st March.

Sorry I have not been keeping up with the posts - just been too busy and too tired to post each day. Hope you are all ok - keep up the good work and well done to all those of you who haven't given up yet!

Moniker

savvyshe

elizabunny wrote: »

Hello everyone,

I'm a bit over where I want to be for February (Annual GC) but decided to stock up on the 24 Roll Pack of T Rolls from Li*l this week for £7.99. I now have 42 T Rolls -is this a record? I doubt it:D Also stocked up on tuna (7 Cans in stock now) and also Dishwasher Tablets which were on offer. I think I have enough to last me until October now:j I hate buying them because they're usually horribly expensive ....but I love my dishwasher. I really will have to reign myself in, if I have a hope of coming in close to my annual budget.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Hi elizabunny, For the last few weeks I have cut dishwash tablets into 2 and used half for each wash and the results were brilliant and when they ran out I bought really cheap bio washing powder and have used that since and brilliant results again. I won't be buying dishwash tablets again. Give it a go!! Good luck

Welsh_Poppy

Can you put me down for £250 for March please we are away for a week on Saturday SC in a cottage so need to allow more money for March and Hopefully do better than I did in Feb. Will meal plan and maybe do shopping every 2 weeks instead of weekly so in theory less chance of adding extras to trolley.

winterfrost

Ok... think I've bought everything I need this month (managed not to go over my £30 this week - £27.17 - first time all month!), and am declaring for February at £162.62! (Tut tut... but at least it is an aesthetically pleasing number.)

Am going to try for £120 again in March - 4th time lucky!

bunny_lover

Hello I am new to the thread, Id love to join from March but need to calculate a realistic amount for food for me and O/H and our fur family. I will post an amount ASAP.

I'd appreciate any ideas what a family of 8 should be spending? 2 humans, 1 cat and 5 bunnies