April 2010 Grocery Challenge

charlyze2

hello all.

not been on in a few days but ive been good and had several nsd.

I got a really good bargain today
2 whole cauliflowers for 10p each
pk 6 tomatoes for 20p
bag of carrots 40p
bag parsnips 35p
2 pack new pots in a garlic butter for 20p each
3 lemons 10p each

£1.85 in total.

will cut, blanch and freeze most of the veg.

will update sig in a mo.
this is the last day in my challenge as i got paid today so will go shopping tomorrow for next 4 weeks budget.

charlie

Im declaring my april spend at £199.79

Long_tall_sally

NSD today on top of one yesterday but although my new budget will start on Monday, I now know, rather annoyingly, that I will be failing this month (as well as failing every month since I started this challenge!). I have only 2 potatos & 2 carrots left but OH has informed me tonight that his kids are coming for dinner Sunday beacuse their Mum is going out so that means that I will have to go & purchase those things for a roast dinner whereas I had been planning on having something like chilli & rice which I only needed a pepper for. Bit peeved actually!

Winchelsea

Had deliveries from both F**db*rgains AND App F**ds today. All unpacked and put away, so feel well set up for next month's challenge.

Will be away at friends' for 5 days from Tues, so will start May after we get back on 2nd. Might up my target a little, though £4 a day (as this month) seems about right, despite Direct Debits for milk and org. veg., as long as I shop as much as possible in the store cupboard and fridge. We'll see!

tessie_bear

just a quickie,,,1kg golden sugar in asda for 50p...its nice in cakes...i got 4 packs
hth someone tess

MrsBsBlog

Morning all!
Well a baaad month this month and over spent by £106.23:eek::eek::eek::eek:making my total £506.23:eek::eek::eek::eek:
I blame the kids and oh all having 2 weeks of school and work, grocery budget always seems to go out of the window when every oh is off:(

So will start fresh at the beginning of may, MrsM please could you put me down for

£400
pretty please!

positivelypurple

Well, big shop was done yesterday leaving me with the princely sum of £3.50 until 1st May. We really stocked up and other than a bit of fruit and possibly milk on Weds/Thurs, we really shouldn't need anything until next Saturday.

I've been tracking grocery spends for the last few months so had an idea of what we spent. I know we could tighten it up a bit so might think about some tweaking next month. I'm quite happy this month though :T

We had the sticky chicken on the first page of this thread the other night and it was gorgeous! Even DC gobbled it up without complaint.

sistercas

well i have gone over this month and I blame the 2 week easter hols :cool:

have had DH and 2 teen DD's at home all the time and they have gone through the house like locusts :eek:

declaring at £486

thanks

franby64

Morning all

Still surviving but it will be touch and go now

I'm 88% of the way though and I've got £51.65 to last me 7 days so £7.37 a day.
However, the fridge is totally empty so I am going to have to spend some money today on milk, cheese, sausages, pizza and some rolls - I'll see if I can keep it to about a tenner.
I've probably got enough meals for grown-ups for the week though most of them will have to involve Qu*rn - am making a tuna pie tonight and a stew tomorrow - then I'll be g*ogling 'Qu*rn' for inspiration!

Have a good weekend everybody.

ellemm

Morning everyone.

Just been catching up with the posts for the last couple of days as been busy doing other stuff :mad: (at work that is )

Pleased with the shopping done last night, £3.50 in I*eland for bread and milk and £20.63 in A*di for the rest, again steered clear of Morrisons.

Needed a few extra bits as having GDs over tonight but otherwise stuck to the list. Spends this month £103.20.

Steadily working my way through the HM freezer meals and actually seeing some spaces appear for the first time in months and I do so love coming in from work and having a nice meal ready to eat in 30 minutes or so....just takes a bit of forward thought of course.

So Mrs McC can you put me down for total yearly spend so far of £459.58, thanks

KITTY_2-2

Today is the 3rd anniversary of my joining MSE and in that time I have learnt so much. I've been reflecting on the changes I have made but there is still more I could achieve.

My debt is all at manageable interest and payment levels, and the total is reducing nicely. I have shopped around for my utilities, insurances etc and I'm reasonably confident that these are the best for me.

The only thing I have had trouble with is the grocery shopping. Over the last year it has crept back up to the same level as when I used to feed 5 and there are now only 3 adults in the house. I thought I must be doing something wrong but it’s amazing how a change of mindset can put things in perspective. Costs have increased quite a lot; we are eating better quality food and the non-food items have added considerably to my totals.

So I have changed how I think of my spending and re-allocated my budget. I have taken out the animal food and given them a separate budget which covers feed, bedding, insurance and the cash I put aside each month for vet bills. Also meals at work and takeaways (both rarities nowadays) will come from the pocket money I have assigned myself. Having done all this and worked out payments due each month I think £200 per month should be a liveable and achievable budget. This is comfortably within what I can afford so I’ve decided not to punish myself anymore for the amount I spend. If I can get it lower then that’s extra towards my savings for a new car or a holiday, if I don’t then I’m not getting further into debt to cover it.

In April I insisted that we use up some of the freezer and cupboard contents. I will be doing the same for May, then doing a proper meal plan and shopping list for the meals we will require. Now it’s getting warmer we will eat far more fresh fruit, veg and salads so I’ll have to shop more frequently, but provided I watch the ‘extras’ that go in, I’m confident that I can achieve my grocery goals.

Sorry this has turned into an essay but please wish me luck. Kitty x