July 2010 Grocery Challenge

KITTY_2-2

I've blown this month's budget with a week still to go. Not really sure how I've gone over as I thought we were doing quite well! I'm following Slimming World's Extra Easy plan, so all the fresh meat, fish, fruit & veg must be what's pushing the bills up

Oh well, I'll just have to try to limit the damage until pay day on 30th.

skilly

well been and done it now !,went shopping with oh at mr a 's...as soon as he got his hands on that trolly he was filling it with sauce and things that were on offer.so i am well over this month and up until then i was doing ok .now up too £269.99 !!!!!!

Kitchenbunny

Haven't posted in a few days, but there were no spends to announce. So I'm still on track but we need milk and some more bread today - I'll pop out later to get those.

KB xx

greent

Hello all - I *think* I'm still doing ok - but have lost track this past week, so can't declare a total for July - annoyingly!! I will start afresh for August and keeping track will be much easier, as DH is off to Newcastle for work for 3 months (coming home weekends) - less spends and onl;y me doing it!!

I'm still keeping a budget of £450 for August - school hols = days out = things like ice creams...... Also I suspect a few takeaways may creep in on Fri nights when DH gets back for the first few weeks until we find ourselves in a routine. I know we have vistors ion the hols and then there are the inevitable friends of the children around at various points for unspecified periods And I have no idea how much no DH in the week will affect the budget - although I do know that I won't be eating as much meat (He likes meat at every meal...)

Garden is producing french beans, runner beans and courgettes nicely - along with salad & second early potatoes I have so many beans that I'm going to make chutney next week and keep some for Xmas presents (planning a more frugal Xmas than normal - will be making bean & green tomato chutnies, possibly jams and soaps and toiletries for people - see how many I can sort with that lot )

Spiggle

Well hello everyone,

I have been reading this week whenever I got a minute but my first post since last weekend.

Things have been a bit wayward this week as OH has been getting bits and pieces (rather than having a list for all in one go :mad:) and so my ratio of NSD has gone down this week. Where I thought we'd easily make the NSD target I have to ensure that we have at least another three before Friday so a bit of a push. I'll be back in the office on Monday at least and so may do a list and get whatever we need for the whole week then and ban him from any more spends!

We're still well on target for the budget (still clawing back June spends) which is good. We definitely won't be reducing the budget in August as we have my big b/day to celebrate and that will push spends up - not to mention various meals out with family and friends during the whole week.

I'll go and search out the "No toiletries thread ..." soon as I need to update there. Very pleased that I haven't bought anything since February except replacemnt toothpaste for GD and me when it ran out. As I haven't bought any duplicates, bogof or 'offers' I think I've been very strict with myself and it's amazing to see the bathroom shelves and windowsill so clear! I have the very last dregs of shower gel left now and so will need to get something to replace shortly. Still horrified at how much shampoo I still have left though.

That said, I can't help feeling as if this week has been a little out of control. I never thought I'd ever be quite so conscientious about our spending but being on here has helped me hugely so thank you all. :A

OK, my sig is fully updated and I'll keep up with reading if not posting over the next week. Keep up the great work all. :T

Take care,
Spigs

natsing

Afternoon All

Decalring for July at £131 so on target for the first time in ages, I've been paid so my next month has already started, only spent £31 so far, but I'd like to pledge £150 for August please.

fedupandskint

So far have spent £102.03 for the month and my august month starts next Wed

Leaves £17.97 to last until then - just need a loaf and some cheese from the shop later today then that should be it until payday.

Will declare on Tuesday with the total for July. The thread has made me think again about what I buy and if I need it or not

Think I'll try £110 for August and continue to work through the freezer stocks. Doing well with this so far and some space is being created slowly. Am using up 2 chicken breasts out of there for teas

In September I'll do a full stock take and see what I need to start getting in for winter eg tins of tomatoes on offer, pulses, rice, pasta, suet mushroom ketchup etc

Tonight is chicken noodle soup using one, will cook the other with some jacket potatoes tomorrow to use in a pie early next week as really fancy a chicken and ham pie.

Splashed out on a gammon joint for tomorrow which will feed the family and have plenty of leftovers for sandwiches, lunches, pasta, pie and whatever else

muffin_man_7

anther spend day yesterday just short £49 takes me over by £70 but if i'm lucky some of food i've got will go over to august if they do i will ajust spend and it might bring overspend down by at least half will total up on friday because i will still need bread milk cheese and possibly a couple of frozen things for kids teatime then i can sort it and set my challenge for august so far only challenge i've managed is no toiletries as got enough of some stuff til at least december maybe longer will keep at it to get better here too here's hoping

catznine

Spent another £5.50 today at Aldis on milk, bread, cheese. yogurts and a treat |(mini pork pies - dh did the shopping but he is getting to grips with the budget)

Still having some interesting meals while we use up some of the packets tucked away at the back of the larder. Last night we had an af rissotto mix to which I added a few prawns and frozen peas from the freezer (was really nice) followed by a tin of basics pineapple in juice to up our 5 a day tally!

Getting to the end of our fruit juice supply but should be able to hang on until August for more and drink water instead.

Doom_and_Gloom

We have £6.63 left now. We have loads in the freezer, the cupboards are basically full and the fridge has a good amount of food in it. I'm hoping that we won't have to spend anymore. To be honest I can't think of anything we need but you never do know.