August '06 Grocery Challenge

Pink.

Hello everyone

Another new month is about to start, for most of us, while others of you are already well into things.

As always this challenge is to reduce your own grocery budget to levels that you will be pleased with, not forgetting that we always recommend that you stay inside your own comfort levels and take things gently one step at a time.

If you are new to the challenge I have quoted the advice from Galtizz below which will help you get started.



Good luck to everyone taking part. Please post into this thread for help and advice and support at any time.

Galtizz wrote:

I have said this before, but for all the newbies to the challenge;

For the first month I took a guess at the budget but I really had no idea how much I was spending.

I found the best thing is to have a guess the first month but SAVE ALL OF YOUR RECEIPTS (and yes, that does include the ones from the local shop when you run out of milk ), then at the end of the month add them all up and have a look if you were on budget, if not, it doesn't matter because your budget was a guess. For the next month you can use the total of your receipts and take a bit off to get a realistic budget, just shave off as much as you think you can, it could be £1 a week or £20 a week.

If you are currently spending £200 a month don't suddenly drop it to £100 - you'll never do it but if you cut £20 a month off for a few months you'll get there eventually without feeling you're missing out on anything.

You might think you've done everything you can in the first month but someone always comes up with a new idea and, if you try it you often find you save a bit more (unless you are SarahSaver who is an expert at this and could only save more if she turned her back garden into a paddy field and lived on rice ) In the first month I thought, I'm planning meals, I couldn't possibly save any more, but then I started double cooking and freezing, and making soup instead of buying it in tins.

I've been doing this since Feb but only saved ALL of my receipts last month, it has given me a much better idea of where it is all going. Budget for next month is £80 for 2 of us, I'll start on 30/4. I could probably save more, by eating different foods but I can afford to live on £80, I have saved a lot of money since Feb. and I don't waste food or money any more. So I'm happy with my budget.

Pink

Hardup_Hester

Hi All
My month runs from 27th July to 31st August, as I get paid on last thursday of the month.
I've been to Asda & spent £133, thats food, cleaning stuff & toiletries for 2 of us for 5 weeks 3 meals a day. Hubby is a meat lover, so we don't often eat vegetarian meals. I'm sure others on here could eat cheaper, but I'm hoping to manage on £3 a week for bread & fresh veg. I'll let you know how I get on
Hester

oakdale_minx

I set a budget of £120 last month and have spent £130 (and need one more meal tomorrow before payday) i'm proud of that because 6-8 months ago I was spending £350 a month on two adults.

I'm going to say £120 again. Two adults, all supermarket spend. This months' included 1 night out and 1 takeaway pizza and I have 'leaked' a few pounds on rubbish at the supermarket this week, so I reckon I can get a bit closer to £120 this month.

Good luck everyone.

Karb

First time at the challenge for me.

I'm aiming for £400 to feed 2 adults, 5 kids, a cat and a dog.

Fingers crossed

brummiebabe

Haven't done the challenge for a while - and spending has gone a little haywire!! Have been going to Sainsburys :eek: and not doing my normal Tesco on-line shop!!

So I'm going to try and get on the straight and narrow this month. Can't face going to the supermarket in this heat and being 6 months pregnant...so on-line shopping it is!

August's budget is £300 for 2 adults and 2 kids. Have a weeks holiday at end of August (all spending money saved for this!) so budget is for 4 weeks.

Wish me luck!!!!!!:rolleyes:

demented_2

Hello All. I have been thinking of joining in with you lot on a grocery challenge. well the thing i would like to ask is which supermarket do you think is the cheapest overall Tesco or Sainsbury? Who do you reckon is the best.
Thanks demented

tra_2

Hi. Can I ask - do you think it is cheaper to do a monthly shop rather then weekly?

wigginsmum

I did a rough comparison recently and Tesco and Sainsburys came out about the same.

July Challenge was for £200 for 2 adults and 7 cats, and I aim to make it £190 this month, running from 25th July.

spendaholic

Okay, I get paid on the 25th of the month, but I can't seem to get my head around starting a new month then. Therefore, my new month will start next Saturday when I do my first shop for August.

This month it's a guess, but it's also what I've budgeted. I'm on my own so think £25 per week should be sufficient while I'm struggling.

Rad

I'm going to aim for £80 on food and £30 for eating out and drinking for August. I'm going to be eating everything in the cupboards this week before I move house, so will have to do a big shop once I've moved.

poppycracker

I'm in again. Wage cheque goes in the bank today (if OH ever gets out of bed!) so my month will start on Thursday the 3rd. Money really tight this month so budget has gone down to £150. We have tons of stuff in the freezer and the cupboards for once, so we should be OK. Just discovered our nearest Sainsburys, a lot easier to get to than Tesco so I'm switching allegiances. Plus, I've just got my new bank card and they've taken me off Electron so I can go online and shop next month..... :j :j :j