August 2010 Grocery Challenge

greent

spendaholic wrote: »

but for the newbies I thought I'd throw in my 2 favourite tips - i.e. what works for me.

1. Make a shopping list. . AND THEN STICK TO IT. When I don't, that's when I go over budget. My shopping list works a treat in unfamiliar supermarkets where I'm less likely to "ooh, I'll just chuck that in as well, cos I'm bound to need it at some point ...". EDIT: Oh, and it's ok to cross things off the list if you find one shoved to the back of the cupboard after all.

2. Write a meal plan.

Lol!! I went to Aldi this morning, looking to buy wraps, a loaf (not my usual one, but couldn't be fussed to go to Mr T too), milk choc chips, sugar, apple juice and pain au chocolate. I did... but also bought some biscuits, a jar of spice (needed - ran out yesterday but hadn't added to list, so that one was 'allowable'), gravy granules and a pack of peppers (would need these later in week and they're one of super 6) The little bits extra add up

Meal plan - I only do a week at a time, I have to say - and even then we chop and change things around.

EvieSaver wrote: »

Also has anyone noticed that it is now cheaper to buy quite a few products as two small packets rather then one big one? eg, Dove soap, Porridge, Teabags, Cornflakes just to name a few. Scottish porridge oats is 19p cheaper to buy two 500g bags rather than 1kg bag and has been like this for about a year now. I got a great deal a couple of weeks ago buying 3 packets of 4 toilet rolls rather than my usual 12 pack and saved 85p (same brand). Is this another supermarket trick to make people spend more? - I expect most people do not have time to check all the prices and would automatically choose the larger packet assuming it to be cheaper. Also the size of 4 pack frozen breaded fish has been reduced to 500g rather than 540g last time I bought them - no reduction in the price though! OH spent £6.46 at local shop too so now at £76.49/£85 for the week

Yep - Mr T are particularly 'bad' at these tricks - downsizing but keeping prices the same and 2 small packs being cheaper than 1 big pack. I've trained OH to watch out for the latter now, too...:)

Trinny

Hello All

Trying for 11 NSD's this month - so have taken OH in hand and banned him from doing the shopping. (last trip was $49 on carp!!:eek:)

Pleased that i have got to today and only spent just over a tenner, and that was because i needed milk, butter, juice, onions, mushrooms etc. I made a list and didnt buy a single extra item.

I have to admit - it feels really strange - to know you are trying to have whole days without spending, and that you are actually going into a supermarket with a list and sticking to it. Its a whole different world.

We are skint this month - most bills to pay in any calendar year, and so theres nowt to spare. All salary has been allocated to pay bills (including food & petrol but no extras)

Couldnt do it without all the support on here tho

Thanks All

Trin

Wee_Jo

Hi there! :hello:

Please may I be put down for £135 for August, thank you. Oh and by the way I used to be Jo_Rourke but had to change my username as I was worried someone was doing something dodgy on my email - now I'm Wee_Jo

Thank you!

Jo

Want2Bdebtfree_3

Hi All

Well I was really pleased with Shop last thursday as OH did tesco and we had a £9 of vouchers and shop came to £34.11 : )... were out at inlaws sat and went to Aldi and stocked up as we can not go there every week and love it... fruit is ssooooooo cheap and meat is great anyway we spent £40... have updated signature and am at £175 from £250 with 3 shops left to go till next pay day.... Not good. On the plus side we do have a lot in freezer and fridge so tesco shop this week should be cheap.... Also we still have a £5 Morrisons voucher and a £4 voucher to using in tesco thanks to Mr S... : ) This month has been confusing as I have needed to buy extras and have put them into the challenge but do not think I really allowed myself enough money to do this! Not really good planning on my part. I should have made the overal budget £300 for month to include toiletries clothes and extras instead of £250.

Lesson there for other newbies... Oh well need to be harsh and see if we can come in with as little over top as poss! NSD days - 4.. Like it. Plus on hols in Sept but birthday in August and other half's in sept so need to save save save : )

Final plus side Runner beans are doing great along with rest of garden veg so that is saving some money off shopping : )

PurpleJay

Hello, can I join in please. My budget is £300 for August.

I am hoping to ultimately get it down to £250. Our household comprises myself, hubby, 3 yo son and my elderly mum, oh and 2 cats. Budget includes cat food, cleaning stuff and toiletries as well as food and 3 magazines (all under £1 each) for my mum and a Guardian on a Saturday - it takes me all week to read it so works out good value!

Not spent anything yet... but need to buy milk and bread later.

Long_tall_sally

Welcome to all the newbies.

Greent - your freezer contents are amazing!

Having sausages and mash later. I know a lot of you have your sausages with onion gravy. Can someone tell please how you actually make this? Is it just a case of frying some onions and adding to the gravy or is it a bit more complocated than that? lol!

redcoltraine

Hello All

I'm new to this budgeting thing and as all my money seems to go on food can you put me down for £200 (as its the 1st month I have guessed and see where i end up) There is only 2 of us so this will include meals out, wine, pub etc

Thanks

Red

Oh yes I negected to mention I have already spent £106.32 this month, stocked up on wine while it was half price. So that leaves me with £93.68 - thats about 3.30 a day, oh dear.... any keeping all my receipts so i should have a better idea next month...

redcoltraine

Long_tall_sally wrote: »

Welcome to all the newbies.

Greent - your freezer contents are amazing!

Having sausages and mash later. I know a lot of you have your sausages with onion gravy. Can someone tell please how you actually make this? Is it just a case of frying some onions and adding to the gravy or is it a bit more complocated than that? lol!

Hello

I love sausage and mash, and I shall be having this at some point this week, yum yum.

What i do is boil my spuds, whilst these are boiling I fry off my onions and sausage, put the sausages to oneside and pour the onions and juice out of frying pan and into gravy. Then once the spuds are ready I drain and them mash them, using butter and milk. I then put the mash in to a pyrex (sp?) oven proof bowl big enough for the mash to fit into, and the put my sausage on top, pushing them slightly into the mash. I then put this into the oven to brown the mash off, then i serve with the gravy, yum yum.

Hope that make some sort of sense

Red

dazzle21

£200 for August for us, we really cannot go over as bills coming out of our ears since everything decided to break all at once! Meal planning is keeping us on our toes, and when i am tired i am not having to think 'oh what to cook' i just look at the list and go into auto-pilot!
Will update the JULY thread shortly as i still haven't declared finally, and read through this one! Hope everyone is doing well and sticking to their challenge!

wssla00

Hello all first day of the challenge and a £15 spend. I have a delivery scheduled for Sunday and that has come to £65 as I had a ten pounds off voucher so I will add that when it arrives. I don't think I will need anything for at least two weeks as the garden is in full swing at the moment so I can use that if I am struggling.

Well have a good day everyone