March grocery challenge

Curry_Queen

Mid-month update:

Budget = £200 a month for me and son but covers everything from food, laundry/cleaning, **cat litter, toiletries and my personal little luxuries (a pkt of tobacco and 2 bottles red wine per week :A )

Total spent so far: £75.26

Total savings so far: a massive £59.61!!!!!!!!!

I would have been over target so far but I bought a year's supply of shampoo/conditioner from Direct Cosmetics at a fantastic discount price, plus took advantage of stocking up on half a dozen bottles of my favourite wine at Tescos while it was on offer at £3.99 instead of £5.99 a bottle

This is where I gained my huge savings as they c0cked up on my order and sent the wrong wine so not only did they replace it without charging me a further delivery charge, but also refunded me the cost of the wine at full price as the offer ended the day I bought them and also didn't deduct the 5% discount for buying six bottles Well done Tesco!!!!!! :T

Having done a quick inventory of freezer and cupboards I've got enough food in to make a month's worth of meals so don't really need to buy much else, although I probably will knowing me LOL!

** I include cat litter in the budget as I get that from Tesco but I buy their food in bulk twice a year so don't incude that in my monthly budget.

kazd

Sarah,

You are not alone, I have been reading this thread and am mortified, I spent £647 last month. I can't tell you how much I chuck out thats gone off. I threw two whole punnets of new potatoes away last week. This is because I was too busy to actually stop and prepare a proper meal. Then on the night that I decided enough was enough and prepared a proper meal, I flipping burnt it in the pressure cooker. So kids had nuggets and noodles that night and we had chinese takeaway.

I must hasten to add though that we do not live like this all the time, just when I am working, my work is seasonal, only twice a year but it is mad. I keep telling myself that next time I will be prepared and cook in advance. However, I still spend on average about £600 per month. There are two adults and three kids. I promise to try and do better over my break, here's hoping that when my work starts again in September that I am better organised.

djenks_2

I am going to join in properly in April. I have read the last few months with great interest and have been putting into practice some of your tips. At the monemt I spend £130 on one adult, and 2 children 11 & 15 this includes all toiletries and cleaning products. I always manage to over by about £30 - £40 each month so my first challange is not to over spend! I also budget my money weekly and monthly but again always overspend! I did go to my local market yesterday and got the following:-

Beef in gravy (18 Slices) - £3
Pork in gravy (18 Slices) - £2
8 cornish Pasties - £1
4.5 litre icecream - £1
5 Cottage pies - £2
6 chicken meals -£1

the freezer man had loads of cheap food - shame my freezeer isn't bigger!

Moll

Janeryan

Moll I've bumped the thread for you so it will be near the top of the list[/QUOTE]




Thanks

kazd

Problem for me is I do like to get my cashback on my credit card, I get 2% with my Amex Plat. I know what you are going to say though, if I budget I would probably spend a lot less overall. One of my problems is the temptation at the supermarket. (mind you I can still do a hefty shop online.). I am going to start by organising a once a week online shop. If you do it mid week it only cost £3.99 which is worth it for the time and effort saved and the temptation to spend more.

kazd

By the way is there a specific place on these forums where you can pick up codes for free delivery.

Many Thanks

Curry_Queen

kazd wrote:

I am going to start by organising a once a week online shop. If you do it mid week it only cost £3.99 which is worth it for the time and effort saved and the temptation to spend more.

That's what I do and have it delivered on a Tuesday but I might try to manage with a fortnightly delivery next month as I find I'm spending more than I really need to hit the usual £50 limit so I can use one of the vouchers. I've accumulated enough food and household products to last me a few weeks now so I might make next week's shop the last one for this month and just get enough fruit, veggies, eggs etc and whatever I need to complete meals with.

Curry_Queen

kazd wrote:

By the way is there a specific place on these forums where you can pick up codes for free delivery.

Many Thanks

All the Tesco codes are posted here

mum26

hello, i'm new, must say this is very interesting. I don't think i could cut our budget so drastically but i'll give it a go, i'll keep a close eye this month and join in april I think.

Do any of the members with youngsters in nappys use reuable cloth nappies? I do and it can save you quite a lot of money on your weekly/monthly budget, i've found they leak less too, plus they are v.cute, lol!

MATH

Well Done CurryQueen:T

MID MONTH UPDATE FROM MATH, MRS MATH, THE THREE MATHTLETS, AND THE THREE MATH CATLETS

Total monthly budget for food, cosmetics, toiletries, pet food, household, cleaning stuff £160-180 (£40-45 per week x 4)

Week One Spent £26.00
Week Two Spent £20.00
This Week Spent £21.00 (estimated by going on Tesco.Com before hitting shop on Tue.

Next Week is sharn't be posting cos I will be away - but I plan to be well in budget.