September 06 Grocery Challenge

Lillys_mum

Yes I'm in too guys

Normally spend around £75 pw so try to make it £50

Me OH 3 kids 1 dog and 1 cat

Will amend my sig to keep updated.

Lillys_mum

I agree with OP to ditch the jars.
I have an 11mth old and make all her food and it costs me hardly anything.
My biggest expense for her is nappies and wipes, but I have a good stock of these so will maybe top up every 2 weeks to help with budgeting.

mamof4

I would like to join this month also, spent £500 in august and would like to get down to £400 in sept this is for 2 adults and 4 kids.

Geordielass_2

I would like to join as well. Usually spend £450 pm for DH, DS, me & 1 dog. When you add up over the year how much you spend on food it's frightening! Does this mthly challenge include school dinners as my DS has £50 pm which I haven't included in the £450 pm. I would love to be able to spend just £200 but I'm expecting pigs to fly aren't I?

I have been doing meal plans but, to be honest, sometimes I can't be bothered & I fall for the ready meal trap.

Seriously though I must start saving some money somewhere as the figures on my bank statements are going to be in red ink soon, if I'm not careful.

Wish me luck!

debbiet

I would like to have a go at this, not done it before and don't really have a clue how much we spend on supermarket shopping...There are just the 2 of us and 2 cats (one of which refuses to eat anything that isn't in a whiskas pouch..not very moneysaving of him!). Got a fair bit of pasta/rice in the cupboard..never buy ready meals...so i'm going to guess £200 for Sept, hope to reduce to about £120 in the coming months..realistic?

Good luck everyone!

carriel_2

I've never done this before, but I'm in! We spend around £500 on food/ toiletries/cleaning products etc. :eek: Two adults, 2 children & 3 cats

This month I was aiming for £200, but I think thats going to be tight, so will be happy with £250.

I'll start w/c sun 27 August Iceland £48, Lidl £56 total week one £104:eek: BUT this is everything for 2 weeks hopefully, will just need bread, milk & fruit next week.

CAFCGirl

OK, so far I've spent around £20!

Not looking good for me I must admit!
Cant remember when I gave myself previously but may have to bump it up to £100........... and theres only me!how depressing!

Starrunner

Hi all just reading up... I'm pretty knowledgable in all my bills and whats goes out of the bank on what date.. but food ... I have no idea. So with that in mind I need to get a grip on what I'm spending first so this month going to collect all of my receipts.. and will run my month 25th - 24th (paydate)... will keep an eye in to see how other newbies.. and you experienced ones out there are doing throughout the month but Ill be all in next month for sure once i know what I can set myself as a target.

Biddyrolo

I'm with Starrunner on this, need to check out the grim reality before I can set a budget.

Shortie

icklejulez wrote:

Can anyone advise me where to start as this is one of our biggest prob's. Groceries cost us around £400quid pm. Is there a thread I am missing with meal ideas recipes etc for cost cutting as even when I try to cut down we dont save much.

I hoping for £160 food and toiletries etc for 2 adults 1 toddler
and
£80 for baby nappies, wipes, jars babyfood and all the other paraphanalia for 9 month old.

S0 £60 pw for all this. Is this realistic???

icklejulez: I agree with TopGranny about the baby food. Unless you always eat stuff totally unsuitable (e.g. nuts/honey.. those kinds of things) it's much cheaper and better for baby than Jars. And I never understand when people say they dont' have the time either.. I worked full time (DS now 3) and used to blitz in the blender whatever was left over from dinner to make things for him and freeze in portion sizes in freezer bags. Really ahndy then to microwave too.

Also, I find supermarket own brand nappies just as good as Pampers etc and when I switched to Texcos own we saved a packet there alone. Not sure if you're already doing this though..?