August 2010 Grocery Challenge

MummyEm

I have previously tried the grocery challenge but have always gone over budget mid way through the month and given up! We have moved house recently to a small village which has really changed our shopping habits, no more popping out and spend £30 in Mr T several times a week.
I have also changed from a monthly to a weekly meal plan which seems to be working better as I seem to be throwing less food away.
I do still have to go to the shops quite regularly though as I have a 1 and a 3 year old who both still drink lots of milk which always means I pick things up I probably don't really need. We are looking at getting another freezer so that we can freeze milk but currently don't have the space.
Put me down for £400 which I know is still a lot but so much less than we used to spend. I just hope I can do it as it would be so encouraging to come in on budget, and our bank balance needs it! This will include all food / cleaning / take out / eat out / nappies (can't wait for these to go!) but not alcohol, still have to convince DH on that one

~moneysavingnovice~

I'm declaring £350 for August as it's a 5-week month for me. To include all toiletries, household cleaning products, dog food and alcohol

gunsandbanjos

I've set myself a £250 budget, not sure how i'll do. Haven't really kept track of my spends for a few months:o Must do better though, have started ordering online again as i seem to spend far less than if i go in to the store. Stops me being enticed by all the sneaky marketing ploys! Will do a food order to be delivered on monday.

Spiggle

Thanks Pink-winged, MrsMcCawber and Rosieben for the new thread and keeping us organised. :A

Thanks MrsM for picking up my budget of £240 for this month. I've now also set my NSD target at a pathetic 15 NSD out of the total 32 days my August will last. I'm trying to be realistic as we're both off for 3 weeks from Saturday and we have some spends coming up. So a hugely reduced NSD target and a stable budget even though we are likely to come in under again in July.

Good luck all who have begun August and I look forward to reading how you're getting on. I'll be joining you properly on Saturday as that's the first day of our month.

Take care,
Spigs

boultdj

Been spending again $5.25 this tine at FF.

wssla00

Afternoon all have been cooking this afternoon and hurrah of hurrahs finally made a fool proof scone recipe that rose! They were treacle scones using golden syrup so had one warm with butter and home made plum jam. Absolutely lovely!

I have a fruit loaf in the BM and will pop in a plain loaf in later. For some reason and I'm not sure why if I use the panasonic quick mode the bread comes out really soft so perfect for sandwiches. I am working tomorrow so will sort out a lunch later then it's the weekend and I can relax again!

I am veering off my meal plan today as I just fancy something plan so it's egg and chips tonight. Yummy!

Have a good evening all

JayJay14

Thanks to the usual suspects for the new thread.

I started yesterday with an NSD so it was a good start - will be going to asda later so may ee if there are any whoopsies but I only really need toilet rolls.

Good luck for August everyone.

Billie-jo

Thanks to everyone who keeps this going.

Am already over a week into the August challenge as I work on every 28 days however may change this next month but not sure yet.

Have managed to use some chicken, chicken stock, scampi and prawns out of the freezer and a few items from the store cupboard so far. Also changed tonights meal plan so as could use up the last of the chicken with some veg that needed using quickly so have put a curry in to cook and hopefully there will be enough left to go onto a jkt potato for myself tomorrow. :T

Last week only threw out one rather dried and shrivelled sweetcorn which went for the birds so was quite pleased with that.

Have noticed that we are drinking a lot more milk than usual so will have to try and remember to use the dried milk whenever I make a sauce or custard and also remember to water the other milk down a little which has gone by the way side recently.

Good luck to everyone for August I hope we all manage to save a little if not a lot. This is the month that I start to write out ideas for Christmas presents so will be doing that soon. :eek: :rotfl::rotfl:

brodie1_2

Hi wssla00,
Scones sound lovely and I am alwatys trying new scone recipie Idont suppose you could post it on here?:)
Was it you that posted the mint icecream, that is now are favorite icecream... in fact I have just got enough mint grown back to make some more:D
Rosieben sory to read your news thoughts are with you.
Brodie1

Rowan9

Hello
Can I please be included for £200 this month? I've upped it a bit as we will have family coming to stay. Still, I want it to be as frugal a month as I can get away with.
Good luck for this month everyone
W