October 06 Grocery Challenge

efrieze

Hi all - you are all doing so well and seem so dedicated. I read all your posts with interest but wasn't going to join in as my food shopping is my one luxury. I write down all my spending anyway (to keep it in check) so went back over my record to see what I spend on household bits (to compare to you good challengers) and I was HORRIFIED to see that I spend an average £300 per month with Mr Tesco (and my OH spends about another £200!) and we are only 2 adults and an 11 month old! I am now inspired to do something about this as it seems totally mad compared to most of your budgets. Wish me luck....

catznine

:hello: Hello and good luck efrieze! I too had a big shock when I first did a spending diary! Don't forget everyone has their own comfort zone so just try to cut back in little bite size pieces. You should still be able to manage a little luxury and save some pennies.

I am finding that I am really enjoying this challenge! But then I did have a fair bit in the larder and freezer next month could prove harder!

Catz x

kiwi88_2

efrieze wrote:

I was HORRIFIED to see that I spend an average £300 per month with Mr Tesco (and my OH spends about another £200!) and we are only 2 adults and an 11 month old! Wish me luck....

Hi efrieze

Same here couldn't believe how much we spent at Mr T £520 for 2 adults 2 children 8 & 5 and a dog :eek: This is the second month for me. The first month I was drastic and chopped the budget to £400 and came in with money to spare so I've budgeted £375 this month (hopefully, the months not up yet) and will keep reducing by about £20 to see what we can get away with I found a monthly meal plan a big help with shopping lists and also buying online as this has helped stop the impulse buying

To make it worse we haven't missed the extra money so I really don't know what we spent that much on in the first place :rotfl:

Good luck and let us know how it goes :T

EagerLearner

When you don't miss the extra money that you saved, you just gulp in the guilty feelings, I know! We were spending £45ish a week = £160ish a month for 2 adults, now aiming for £120 a month...

Boatie_Bird

Well this month I'm going to come in seriously under budget!

I set a budget of £190 and although I've still got £50 or so of the budget left, due to some unforseen spending I haven't actually got any cash left. My month goes 25th to 25th so we've only got another week to go and I think I can make do with what I've got in already and I'll have to raid the penny jar for bread and milk.

I've got some mince in the freezer, a huge chicken in the fridge which will do at least 3 meals, and plenty of pulses/pasta/rice in the cupboard.

If push comes to shove I'm sure my mum will do us dinner next Tuesday (pay day on Wednesday!)

This is a definite improvement for me, if this had happened a few months ago I would just have put it on the credit card and tried not to think about it. It feels so good to be in control of my finances at last.

cashsaver

Well done everyone!

I don't think I ill finish within my budget... this is the first month for me! It is still a great achievement because I will have spent hopefully an enormously smaller (does that make sense?!!) amount than normal. Usually around £500 plus takeaways.

I find I am looking for bargains, bogofs and cooking from scratch now and my kids and oh are enjoying their food more. OH has even helped with shopping and menu ideas!!!!!!!! Wonders never cease to amaze!!!

xxxxxx cashsaver xxxxxxxxxxxx

angelavdavis

efrieze wrote:

Hi all - you are all doing so well and seem so dedicated. I read all your posts with interest but wasn't going to join in as my food shopping is my one luxury. I write down all my spending anyway (to keep it in check) so went back over my record to see what I spend on household bits (to compare to you good challengers) and I was HORRIFIED to see that I spend an average £300 per month with Mr Tesco (and my OH spends about another £200!) and we are only 2 adults and an 11 month old! I am now inspired to do something about this as it seems totally mad compared to most of your budgets. Wish me luck....

I complete understand how horrifying it can be. I was completely shocked to discover I was spending over £70 a month just on my canteen lunches and coffees (see posting http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=240264). :eek:

It's when you realise that the amount x 12 could be a week's holiday somewhere in the sun (for example) that you start valuing what the money really means!

Good luck, it can be tough when you are having a bad day and you fancy a splurge - but actually, over time, the money coming in means so much more to you!!

Best of luck! :T

Glad

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KitTheCat

Hello everyone! I'm new to this site (just tonight) and am interested in reducing my food spend. I find myself on my own again after many years of marriage where money was not a problem but now I'm afraid it is. I know I could set myself a challenge but in the past I have always risen to challenges set by others. I must be competitive or something! I normally spend about £200 on food and cleaning stuff and cat food etc. There are two fussy cats. And just me now. Sooooo...Would somebody out there like to set me some challenges to get me started? I need to trim that food budget drastically.

Gingham_Ribbon

I'll add your question to this month's challenge, Jo. Welcome to old style!

You'll need to read the thread from the beginning, but the first post gives an outline of the aims of the challenge.

Good luck. November's will be starting soon.