Grocery Budget/When & how to shop?!

tootoo

Hi all
Hope I've posted this in the right place, I'm still a bit new to this!
I've done a search but couldn't find anything newish (please point me in the right direction if I've missed any threads!).
I'm desperately trying to reduce our grocery bill. My budget is £190 per month, however I'm continuously going over this. I've started to meal plan, which helps no end and for April I'm going to join the grocery challenge.
Does £190 seem realistic (we are a family of 3 - 2 adults, 1 toddler and a fussy cat)?
Also, how does everyone shop? I find if I shop weekly I spend more as we don't have any 'big' supermarkets nearby, the local butchers are very expensive and we don't have a local bakers....I often pop to a market for some fruit and veg that we need.
I also find if I shop monthly, I run out of things and then do a top up shop and spend lots more!
Any tips or advise? I know the basics, don't shop when you're hungry and only stick to the list (which I do) but I still seem to be spending more than my budget.....
Thanks for listening to me ramble!
Tootoo

helen_jelly

Hi

There is a thread called Grocery Challenge - its a monthly thread, very supportive and with lots of helpful people

HTH
Helen

Pink.

Hi tootoo,

As Helen Jelly has mentioned the best place to get advice on reducing your grocery bill is the Grocery Challenge. You can find this month's thread here: March 2011 Grocery Challenge

This thread will show you what other Old Stylers spend on their grocery shopping, but remember it's not a competition and every family's needs/ wants are different: Grocery Shopping budget thread

This thread contains lots of advice and tips from other Old Stylers: Shopping-Monthly vs Weekly (merged)

And it's well worth taking a look at Martin's article on Supermarket Shopping.

Good luck with reducing your bills. I'll add your thread to the Grocery Challenge later where you'll get lots of support from the regulars.

Pink