November 2010 Grocery Challenge

jintyb

Menolly wrote: »

Ulp! Only a month until Yule/Christmas :eek: and I simply haven't been able to get my head round it at all. 75 Job Applications and not one interview - I guess there are just an awful lot of people out there all applying. I have also had to lose my car - simply couldn't afford the payments any more but fortunately Fiat 500s are desirable and so the dealership has bought her back in and settled the finance for me. I suppose I could have sold her privately and got more but time was of the essence *sigh*.

Such hard luck for you re the applications, I hope something comes along for you soon

wssla00 wrote: »

Hi all, I think I will bow out of December's challenge but I will still be around reading. I have just lost my father in the last week and don't think christmas will be the same this year.

**hugs to all those who need them**

So sorry to hear your news, my FIL passed away very suddenly .three weeks ago, it's very hard and my heart goes out to you,

losingpatience wrote: »

Feeling completely fed up at the moment. As I posted previously my fiance is undergoing treatment at the moment, and it looks as though this may be a life long thing. If that's the case it mean's we'll never be able to have children

QUOTE]

LP, I'm sending you ((hugs)) - you are certainly having a rough time ATM, if it helps, keep posting, we're all here to support each other:)

NickJW

Hi All

I haven't had any extra spends so far, but I just want to say that I want to say I'm sorry to hear about everyone's bad news, and to keep strong...

I know I'm fortunate not to experience anything quite as bad as others, but you never know if anything will...I don't quite know what else to say, other than I'm feeling for everyone who is having/had bad luck.

katholicos

wssla00 wrote: »

Hi all, I think I will bow out of December's challenge but I will still be around reading. I have just lost my father in the last week and don't think christmas will be the same this year.

**hugs to all those who need them**

wssla00, i am so sorry for your loss. May you and your family be comforted at this sad time.

Moniker

Hi everyone

I am declaring at £334.82 for November which is just over £20 under budget so I am pleased with that. I think it was helped enormously by staying out of the shops as I managed 20 NSDs this month.

My December challenge starts tomorrow 25th Nov and ends on 23rd Dec (four weeks). Christmas spends come out of my Christmas savings pot - I put a £1 a day in a jam jar from the beginning of January to the end of November and that is it - all presents, food and treats come out of that £334. Fortunately we don't have a big family to buy for and there's just going to be MIL me and DH on the day itself.

I have in fact spent about £22 on buying books for DD2 and SIL and niece's 2 little ones (there's a great remainder book shop in the city where everything is £2 cash only!) so I will be deducting that from my pot.

I agree, it's not necessary to go overboard. We are visiting DD1 in Germany in the New Year so that will take up a lot of funds - though now she has found a flat and can put us up we will save on the hotel bill!

My heart goes out to all of you having hard times at the moment - no matter how much I get fed up with work and counting the pennies I realise that I am very lucky to have my health and a warm home and food in the cupboards and people I love around me - that's what really counts.

Take care all - see you in the December challenge.

Moniker

Long_tall_sally

I'm feeling really tired tonight & can't be bothered to go & get the receipt for my spends from today but will update my signature tomorrow.

Sending big hugs to wssla00, Losingpatience & Menolly. I feel for you all.

Doom_and_Gloom

Went shopping today and got as much as we could bring home; my under wheelchair bag was full, the rucksack on the back of the wheelchair was full, 2 big reusable bags were full and so was my bag that I always have on me :rotfl:. Didn't spend all that much either (ie we are still under this months budget ) - a lot was either reduced or had a deal to make it cheaper.

We still need to buy chinchilla sand when posible - 2kg of that will cost £1.20. The food we have should last us untill the end of the month but we shall see.

Months starting budget = £55
Spent = £49.33
Left = £5.67

katholicos

Moniker wrote: »

Hi everyone

I am declaring at £334.82 for November which is just over £20 under budget so I am pleased with that. I think it was helped enormously by staying out of the shops as I managed 20 NSDs this month.

Jolly well done on coming in under budget AND for managing 20 NSD's this month :j

Moniker wrote: »

My December challenge starts tomorrow 25th Nov and ends on 23rd Dec (four weeks). Christmas spends come out of my Christmas savings pot - I put a £1 a day in a jam jar from the beginning of January to the end of November and that is it - all presents, food and treats come out of that £334. Fortunately we don't have a big family to buy for and there's just going to be MIL me and DH on the day itself.

That is a great idea about putting the £1 a day in the jar. Well done!

Moniker wrote: »

I have in fact spent about £22 on buying books for DD2 and SIL and niece's 2 little ones (there's a great remainder book shop in the city where everything is £2 cash only!) so I will be deducting that from my pot.

I agree, it's not necessary to go overboard. We are visiting DD1 in Germany in the New Year so that will take up a lot of funds - though now she has found a flat and can put us up we will save on the hotel bill!

My heart goes out to all of you having hard times at the moment - no matter how much I get fed up with work and counting the pennies I realise that I am very lucky to have my health and a warm home and food in the cupboards and people I love around me - that's what really counts.

Take care all - see you in the December challenge.

Moniker

I couldn't agree more,Moniker :beer:

sistercas

morning

off to sainsbugs for a few bits I have completely lost the plot with the GC this month
Ive had my birthday , 2 DD's birthdays DB's 50th ( party , hotel stay-expensive) sil birthday and i hadnt accounted for it all

will start again in december x

Menolly_2

Thanks to you all for the hugs - I know this situation can't last forever and am trying to stay positive.

Spent £75.39 yesterday:j and really DID do a Happy Dance at the till :rotfl:. Cashier must be an Old Styler too, because she didn't look at me as if I'd gone completely mad!

That means that for the four weeks, I've spent £318.32 and I had budgeted £350.00. DH hasn't noticed any difference in the quantity/quality of food (not sure whether to be pleased or sorry about that ) and although I always have cooked from scratch, I am now baking more and, I think, planning the menus much better.

Of course, NOT taking DH with me when I shop has also made a big difference to the bill :rotfl:, he always said that "a big boy put that in the trolley" when something not on the list was making its way down the conveyor belt!!

Will put the same amount in the challenge for December, but will also be using the Mr T vouchers and any Nectar points - NOT planning to have a huge blow-out this Yule/Christmas, just celebrating the fact that DH has recovered from kidney cancer and a gall bladder op that went horribly wrong. I think I said before that he was in hospital from the end of November last year until the end of January. There won't be many presents to open this year, but last year I opened mine alone and frankly the best gift I could have is the fact that we are together.

kippers

. I think I said before that he was in hospital from the end of November last year until the end of January. There won't be many presents to open this year, but last year I opened mine alone and frankly the best gift I could have is the fact that we are together.[/QUOTE]

Thats lovely...well done you!:T:T:T