August 2010 Grocery Challenge

MadamMim2013

I've sent the hubby out for supplies this morning armed with a list.... hoping he doesn't deviate unless it's for some very good bargains... will report back later... I'm off to move our chicken coup.........wish me luck!!

Kitchenbunny

Morning, everyone. First of the month, so here goes with August's Grocery Challenge and my revised budget of £200. I've already bought a chicken to roast, and there are a few potatoes in the bottom of the bag to go with it. With the veggies and bits of bacon to make my MIL's gorgeous bacon stuffing that's going to make a nice meal for us today without me needing to go to Mr Ts. First NSD of the month, mealplans are done, shopping list to go with, and here goes!

Good luck everyone and welcome to all the newbies.

KB

wssla00

Morning everyone! Well....today started stressfully! The plug in the bathroom sink has got stuck so it's blocked! Anyway I pay for an insurance policy on my plumbing so they are coming out tomorrow- that means an NSD tomorrow as the appointment is any time from 8am-6pm!!!!

Today however I need to go out and get two new cat litter trays, some new cat litter and some more cat food so that they are happy!

This afternoon I plan to make a loaf of white and a load of scones and treats. Got people coming up at the end of the week so need things for coffee etc!

Have a good day all, I'm off to fume about my sink!

highland_fling_2

Good morning everyone,

well I am really working at breaking the "recreational shopping" habit. A new Sainsbury store has been opened for about a fortnight now and I have not set foot in it yet.:j Don't need large shop and I know if I set foot in the place I will probably fill a trolley.

Still November weather here so I have organic minced beef out for dinner. Was reduced at A**A. Not sure what I will do with it yet but I have garden potatoes and veg. So might just be plain old mince and tatties for a change. Not what I would normally have for sunday dinner but I am trying to eat some of the food from my freezer.

Yesterday I had a little panic with a frozen loaf. Had stuffed so much stuff in the freezer drawer the loaf had morphed into some strange shape and was jamming the drawer. I tell you I used every tool and piece of kitchen equipment to try and move it but it was jammed fast. In the end I managed to open the drawer about two inches and slowly removed other items from drawer to create space for the bread to fall down a bit. By the time the drawer was loose again the bread was in pieces. Note to self: admit when their is no room left in freezer for bargains.

Well my challenge starts today and I am planning a NSD.

Good luck to all.

Cheapskate

Dear MRSM
Please can you put me down for £400 again for August - GOT to try to stick to it, as job future still uncertain so I have to save as much as poss & spend as little as poss!!:eek:
I WILL visit here more often for inspiration when I'm tempted sort of like a pre-confession! :rotfl:
DS spending lots of time at GFs place, so hoping food bill will go down in August & we can use up stuff in the house - we don't mind having strange meals sometimes, but DS always wants plenty meat etc.
Baby DD asleep so off to get something useful done while I've chance.
Hope to see you more this month! Thanks for the tips I've picked up so far.
A x

verynewmoneysaver

Hi not done this challenge before so putting £300 down this month and will see how I get on. Thanks.

pammyj74

Hi all,

Didnt really keeo track last month due to holiday and other things so can you put me down for £120 again this month.#

We'll be having a couple of additions to the family (guinea pigs before you think twins ) so not sure how much they are going to cost me but better add them in for food but not sure how much they will cost!

KITTY_2-2

Morning all and welcome to all the newbies :wave:

Yesterday was a no spend day but today I have a Mr A delivery. I've stocked up on pet food, which has a seperate budget and the rest is mainly household stuff. Don't need much food at present as have quite a lot in the freezer. Will need fresh fruit and veg mid week, but that should be it.

I'll update my signature later when have a final cost.

JenniTreacle

Hello

I'm new here but have been reading this and think it's a really good idea!!

My shopping budget for the month is £160. I've already done my first week's shopping and did the big shop with all the meat and that came to £69.67, bringing the next 3 weeks in at £30 per week.

Did last week at £26.58 (£26.50 in Clubcard vouchers, so actually only 8p!) so think I can manage this!

Spiggle

Hi All,

Its fantastic to see so many newbies joining the thread - welcome and good luck to you all. :hello:

If you don't mind me sharing some things I've learned on here, the MOST IMPORTANT thing is to MAKE A LIST before shopping and STICK TO IT. If you get tempted to go off list always ask yourself do I NEED this or do I just WANT it.

Second most important is if you know you're going shopping one day check to see if any staples, milk, butter, etc, are low and put them on the list. That way you avoid the need to pop out for milk and come back having spent £20+.

We find shopping for f&v and meat are much better value/quality if bought from the local greengrocer and butcher though if you have a local market (we don't ) that would also be a better alternative to the supermarkets (sm).

We have found setting a no spend day target (NSD) each month is a huge help and if you want to there is a thread on here to support that too.

Finally, (well probably not but all my poor brain can muster today ) the sm know how to make us spend and invest hugely in finding ways to coerce (it's not even persuasion) us into spending more, so when they give you vouchers for free delivery/money off for spending over £50, £60, £etc., do think long and hard if you NEED to spend that much. For instance, MrT have sent me three vouchers for £5 off three consecutive £50+ spends. There's no way I want to spend that much and so if the date for use passes I don't care because I've only spent what I NEED to spend not what they WANT me to spend.

I'm feeling carp today but at least a little better than yesterday which was spent mostly in bed moaning!

So yesterday and today were NSD so off to a good start on that at least. The fridge is looking bare and I'm not sure how as it's not even a week since I went to MrT. I will have to sit OH down under a bare bulb and question him! :rotfl: That's the second time I've laughed this weekend.

Last week I had a great plan to try and get a knockdown price last minute holiday but yesterday thought do I really want to spend that much money. At the moment the answer is still no. If we did it would seriously dent our possibilities for paying off our 0% credit cards in the next few months. I really would like to clear them out of the way as it would mean an extra £125 (I overpay) per month in disposable income which could then be set against the mortgage. So a holiday may be short term feeling better but longer term ramifications. Hmmm, I think the sunbed is coming down from the attic so I can grab any sunshine that we do get over the next three weeks and benefit later on. :cool:

Right off to watch the Hungarian Grand Prix and the last day of the European Athletics Championships (terrific results for Team GB :T).

Good luck, keep strong and resolved and may your lists stick to your hands,
Spigs