March grocery challenge

Galtizz

Welcome to the board Sarah12.

Tiff has done a separate thread of general ideas of how to stick to the budget it is here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=33447

I've bumped it for you too so you'l find it near the top of the list again.

Making the decision to do it is almost the hardest part. Try making a list of everything you ate over the last week or what you like to eat, I like to go through recipe books and magazines and try something new each week, and make a plan based on that. Once you've made a meal plan of what you are going to eat make a list based on that and stick rigedly to the list. If it isn't on your list, when are you going to eat it??? So you don't need it, do you!
Once you have done this a couple of times it is easy and can be fun, finding new recipes to try etc. Once you get used to doing it this way you can shop around for BOGOF's and do a meal plan when you get home based on your buys. I find this requires too much disapline so I do the plan first.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll save a fortune.

Mads13

Hi

Had my tescos shop delivered today and cost £28.77 for 2 adults and 1x10 year old. This included everything for the week, fruit, veg, salad, meat, fridge stuff, wash powder, FC (am trying the value range this week on wash powder and conditioner :rolleyes: )shampoo, etc, etc. I will be using 1 meal this week that I froze last week when I bulk cooked..lol. Also, I didnt need to buy rolls as I bought double last week and made them up with marmite and choc spread and froze them in 2's for my daughters lunches(this is a fab idea and saves so much time in the morning), and will buy double next week and do the same!
Also had £6.00 in clubcard vouchers, so Im pleased this week, my normal budget is £60 a week, so have halved it this week

Hope your all doing well!!
Mads13

Sarah12_2

Thanks! You're right, deciding to do it is the hardest part. We've come to the conclusion that with a young family and one income that we're always going to be on the look out for ways to economise and not get into the same credit card/debt situation that we're just getting through.

LadyMarmalade_2

Have been looking at MSE for some time now but this is my first time in a chat forum-all the postings have encouraged me to budget my shopping properly, so tonight I am heading to supermarket with cash in a separate purse and I will not allow myself to lift anything I do not require.I am trying for £40 per week for a family of four (one is still in nappies).I think this is going to be difficult for the month but will give it a shot!

Sarahsaver

I've done ok this week on the £20, friday tomorrow and i still have a couple of quid left. This did get a bit confusing however, as mum came to stay with me and shoved £4 in coins into my hand when I was in Iceland with her yesterday. I will come across sounding ungrateful now, but it confused my budget momentarily! I spose I should have separate purse for such unexpected (rare) windfalls!
Oh, and im fine because Elle magazine this month says that purses are 'in' and wallets are 'out'.
Now, do I have a jar, or 'roll over' the surplus to next week, or reduce my budget by the excess, if u follow me?
Next week (starting on saturday) I will try to keep a list of exactly what i have bought so i can post it at the end of the week.

halloweenqueen_2

Put the money ina jar or an 'excess purse'! That way if you get caught short at the till you have a reserve instead of reaching for the plastic! (although if you've stuck to your list you shouldn't)

Cheapskate

Hello, all, another new member here. This grocery challenge stuff sounds really interesting & I'd love to get involved, even though we're a few days into March now. I'd already decided to cut down on unnecessary spending & did an inventory of all the cupboards/fridge/freezer, etc., to see what meals I could make without having to buy much or anything else. I might have to do a bit more work & join in just for the last 2 weeks of the month & start properly in April. Any hints & tips very welcome! We're a family of 2 adults & 2 teenagers, plus an 18 yr old who lives with his girlfriend, but still on the scrounge every now & then!! I love cooking & will try anything/any shop. Hope to hear from one of you friendly folks out there.

tiff

Hi Cheapskate, welcome to MS Old Style. You could have a go at it in the next couple of weeks and then start properly in April. Set your target for your next shop and see how it goes. If you go over your budget, post here and we'll try to help.

Cheapskate

Thanks Tiff - I'm going to aim for spending less than £100 in the next 2 weeks, including food, toiletries, soap powder. etc. Will tell you if I manage!

karenc_4

Hi Sarah - I'm in a similar situation to you. Having had our second baby earlier this year, I feel that I am spending more and more on grocery shopping. However, since switching to Tesco online in the last month, I have managed to reduce our spend considerably. The eCoupons advertised on MSE have been extremely useful in helping me to do this. I always seek one out every time I do a shop. Also, I find that when I see the total bill at the end of my online shop, if it is over-budget, I will go back and tweak my grocery list until it comes under budget. Hope this helps - Karen

Sarah12 wrote:

I've been flicking through the pages on mse for about 6 months now and have finally built up the courage to say something! We are a family of 5 (2 adults & 3 kids) and I'd welcome any tips on trying to stick to a budget for grocery shopping as our monthly tesco bill is usually around £600 (grocery/toiletries/household). I'm always amazed at how easily money slips through our fingers. We've recently built up debt on our credit card and realise that we need to cut back & be sensible from now on.