March grocery challenge

shallowpockets

Thanks Halloweenqueen yes you're right offers come around again but I just can't help myself and I end up having to "borrow" out of other purses to fund these offers.

System

Just a thought for those of you who are cutting back and shop online with Tesco. Dont forget if you apply for one of their credit cards and bung the whole shop on there each week (dont forget to put the money aside in an online saver so that you can afford to pay it off at the end of the month), you will get extra club card points, which can be used when you get your next clubcard statement.

Tesco website click Here (click on the credit card link)

Lillibet_2

I use my Barclaycard for everything & pay it off in full each month, that way I get Nectar points as well as regular Tesco clubcard points. Nectar aren't as good value as Tesco points , but I save them all up for Christmas anyway & this way I get a bit of variety where I can shop.

System

Lillibet wrote:

I use my Barclaycard for everything & pay it off in full each month, that way I get Nectar points as well as regular Tesco clubcard points. Nectar aren't as good value as Tesco points , but I save them all up for Christmas anyway & this way I get a bit of variety where I can shop.

Brilliant idea!!

Janeryan

Lillibet wrote:

I use my Barclaycard for everything & pay it off in full each month, that way I get Nectar points as well as regular Tesco clubcard points. Nectar aren't as good value as Tesco points , but I save them all up for Christmas anyway & this way I get a bit of variety where I can shop.

I tried this but ended up getting in a right mess-it all got very confusing remebering to transfer amounts from my current a/c to make sure I didn't spend it twice!!

Am now trying the 3 purse cash method!!

Went shopping today(should have a budget of £50.00 a week(Friday-Friday) but hubby away on training course this week so gave him £30.00 of that for emergency money so had to make do with £20.00 for me & son(14).

Had already spent £10.64 at the weekend and unfortunately spent £20.28 today however forgot to allow for the fact that hubby will return on Friday and will expect food in the house!! Hopefully he will bring back some of the £30.00!!

I allow £15.00 for petrol which seems to be lasting out and the remainder of our weekly allowance is split between the two of us for everything else-haircuts, birthday presents etc etc but again I donated most of my share to hubby this week.

Lillibet_2

Janeryan wrote:

I tried this but ended up getting in a right mess-it all got very confusing remebering to transfer amounts from my current a/c to make sure I didn't spend it twice!!

I use online banking & have to say I have never found another bank with online facilities to match the ease of Barcalys, although the rest of their service is questionable but that's another thread! As soon as I spend anything I transfer the money out of my current account into one of my saving account "pots" named credit card for safe keeping, then trasfer the whole of my credit card pot to my Barclaycard on the last day of the month.

Forgot to say that my shoppign bill last night inculded 2 bags of sweets that my husband smuggeld into the trolly. Grrrrr. He does always stump up the cash for them afterwards but I can hardly pay £1.73 into the bank (well, I could but would feel pretty silly) and it bu**ers up my budgeting!

carpool72

Right, you've inspired me so here goes nothing. I've been trying for a while to stick to £40/week for groceries, household stuff & nappies (roll on potty training!) so I'll start with being strict about doing that. That's £160 for Fri 4/3 to Fri 1/4 since I've already overspent this week...

Galtizz

I spent approx. £50 last month for 2 of us just food, cleaning and supermarket stuff (That was only 3 weeks cause I was on hol for 1 week). After returning from hols we are broke so I have set a target of £60 for 4 weeks. I am going to keep all of the recepts too so I now EXACTLY how much I've spent and I'm going to keep every receipt (because I think 1 or 2 for 'bits' went astray last month)

I started last night with a Lidl shop of £16.22 which is enough for 2 weeks. I think I am about on target, even if Mum + Dad + MIL come for dinner Sunday I'm hoping it won't cost much more than £4.00 for chicken or Tesco 1/2 price turkey and a bit more veg.

Janeryan

Yes Galtizz I keep all my receipts too-I've just been trying to see how much I spent last March(I normally write it down in my diary) but don't seem to have done it. It's all going to be on my Excel spreadsheet from now on so it's easier to keep track of.

Talon_Karrde

we are 2 adults and 2 kids (4 and 1) what YOU think is realistic budget for a month? currently we budget £320 pm, or £80 per week, which includes everything, household, food, grocery's, toiletries, chemicals, nappies et al!
You think this is Ok, or by how much should we aim to trim?
ta muchly!