March 2010 Grocery Challenge

slowandsteady_2

Thanks NJW69, thats gives me a much better idea of whats what x

freakyogre

I have actually 'added' 59p back on to my total as i'm going to give a box of my grapes to my sister tomorrow, so not counting that on my total I still have one box and i'm only at work for 2 days next week, so probably won't be able to eat them all before they go manky.

However, my sister has agreed we can go to the cash and carry tomorrow (she has a card) and I am sitting here making a list which will kill my total on here. I may just have to 'make' a different budget for that stuff! I am kind of celebrating though as was offered a permanent position where I work this week after working there 6 months on a contract that kept being extended so I think I can have a small 'blowout'.

albacookie

I've spent another 23.61 so far this month, there's plenty of meat in the freezer, lots of rice and pasta so hopefully I can stick to just bread, milk, fruit and veg.

cw18

I'm now officially 'over budget' for this month - and by a considerable amount/percentage !!

Plus I only have £12.08 left to stay within my 'year to date' budget by the end of March (after I include what I underspent in Jan & Feb) :eek: In theory this should be do-able, but it just depends if I find any decent meat Whoopsies at work (this is the one thing I'm running short of in my freezers, unless we want turkey in one form or another at least 2 days out of every 3 for the next month )

I wouldn't have spent as much as I did today, but I happened to be in Mr T as the staff were reducing items to half price - so I grabbed 2 bags of salmon fillets (each with 8) for £5 each instead of £10. I was soooo pleased to find these, as I only have 2 fillets left in the freezer - and can't justify them at full price So I now have enough for a further 8 meals (for 2 of us), which - at once every 3 weeks - means I don't need any more until at least September

uolypool

Many thanks for all the replies I will I think go in "dolly steps" in reducing the aamount even getting it to the £400 mark would be a great success I think.The 6 of us are myself, 2x16 1x15 1x13 (the nightmare eater) and 1x12 my nightmare eater would live on cheese sausages and beans if i allowed him to , I have made the first steps by sitting down and being totally honest about our financial situation at the moment they are all in agreement that they will help and be understanding , the older ones are really good 'simple cooks ' mainly done from scratch they do a large majority of the cooking as i have health issues they have said that they will start helping by for example making cakes or biscuits as a sweet snack for example instead of rushing for a chocolate bar We have also decided to change our dinner plates for slightly smaller ones , they actually are quite good already ,its me i think i have some kind of obsession with wanting the cupboards to be full incase something was to happen to me then at least i would know that they could eat ,going to sit down with them tomorrow and devise a realistic budget for the whole household finances not just food.(glad I have one that is a wizz with figures and stuff)

nmlc

Morning all

I've been MIA but have still been plodding on with the GC, have carried on with the HM treats except for last week when I didn't get chance to bake. I don't eat what I bake but OH and the boys do and they've really missed it (also I struggled to know what to put in pack-ups). So will shortly be going for a shower, breakfast, have to pop out to MrT as the streaky bacon that came with my on line order last night is not sealed - will return this for an exchange.

Then I will crack on with the baking, I haven't decided what I will cook this week, but may look for a banana cake/loaf recipe.

As far as the budget goes I'm now in week 3 of my GC and only have £43.83 left, but have shopped and meal planned for this week - think I will be over but will give it a good go as I've spent quite alot on offers so now I should have quite good stocks!! = spending less!! Have bought a large piece of topside from the butcher this week, and asked his advice re:cooking it, whenever I cook beef it always seems tough and dry. So have butchers instructions and will be following them to the letter - watch this space!!

For anyone that uses Persil Liquid laundry detergent, MrSFld have it at £3.50 for a 43 wash bottle - normally £8!!

Need to shove off or nothing will get done.!!

Have a good weekend everyone.

Love and hugs to those that need them and anyone feeling poorly.
nmlc

sistercas

Ive lost track of my spending I was determined to keep it all under control this month, but I keep doing little spends here and there and forget about them , so I have probably spent £100 in 'little spends ' :eek: will add that to my total but it is a complete guess

really must keep track , any ideas on how to do that?

tallullahbelle

I have a pocket diary in which I keep a tally of what I spend daily...I'm going to be over again this month ... Already spent my £500 budget and it's only the 20th... and got a Birthday party next week too...Maybe April will be better?!

Bluefire

£2 to add to the total - milk & frozen carrots, nothing exciting! I'm hopeful at this stage that we can make it to the end of the month & still have £80 in the pot, which leaves me with about £18 to cover the next couple of weeks. That should be fine as long as I don't see any 'bargains!'

KITTY_2-2

Morning all

Not posted for a week or so but have continued reading.
Only small spends this week and signature updated. Doing quite well but can't get complacent as I was at the same stage last month and went over!
Right off to start fencing. It is pouring with rain but my help will be here soon and we have 20 panels and posts to put up. Wish us luck!!

KITTY