April 2011 Grocery Challenge

looie

Just updated my sig with this week's spend so far - £15.09. I noticed on my receipts most of the stuff I bought was either reduced or a 1p find at mr t feeling quite pleased with myself !

I should be ok this month only a couple of weeks left and I still have half of my budget left

quintwins hope you are feeling better today

Hope everybody has a nice day x

goodgirl80

bought some eggs for omelettes because I couldn't be bothered cooking oh and bread because i couldn't be bothered making it (noticing a pattern here?!) and squash

£98.18

tigerfeet2006

We are off camping next week so i will be taking the meat out of the freezer and put it in the camping fridge for our meals. Also any fruit or veg. I have left and cans and packets from the store cupboard so we shouldn't have to spend to much on food. Our month ends on the 23rd when DH gets paid so it looks as if we will come in under budget this month :T though I am not counting my chickens.

Mothership

OMG! This has been one weird month for me , my fourth doing the GC, I've spent a further £10 on bread, milk, fruit and veg on two separate top up shops. We have been eating from the freezer and store cupboards. This is is a complete turnaround for me, we are wasting nothing now, I plan our meals around what fresh produce I have. I find that works best for me. I've managed to save £2,500 since October, this is all money that would have ended up being spent on something I didn't really need. And here's the best part no one has even noticed the difference LOL. We have not gone without. I just changed the way I do some things. I still do the second and third purse, but haven't really found much that I didn't already have.
We had BBQ chicken , rice and sweet corn last night for dinner.
I'm making a pot of Barley broth for lunch, I'm using the Donald Russell Lamb bones from the freezer, (still trying to make space for the big order coming at the end of the month). I'm going to take mince from the freezer that will end up lasagna or bolognese.

Still no word when my mothers funeral will be. OH and I saw a Lawyer on Monday about putting our affairs in order, and took out a wee insurance policy to cover expenses when we pop our clogs. I'm very pleased about that as my OH was always putting it off.
I'd like to say a VERY BIG thank you to everyone for their support and encouragement. I couldn't have done it without your help. xxxx

Love and hugs to those to need them.

[Deleted User]

Well today I will go and get a big shop as I haven't been to the shops for well over a fortnight.I brought some left over stuff home last Saturday from my holiday so have been eking that out but I will have to bite the bullet today.But once it all bought, then I have a plan for it to last me until at least May before I have to go again.I am also going to do an inventory of my freezer to see whats in there and update my list that I have stuck on the door outside.
Then a fortnights meal planning to do plus I am going to make an apple cake as my sis-in-law is coming to lunch and she loves HM cake.These chores should keep me busy today for awhile at least
have a good week-end everyone and keep a tight hold of your purses.:):)

Sue14

Spent £10.60 in Mr T's last Saturday, and £6.76 in Mr S on Wednesday. Not doing too bad so far, but run out of a few bits so need to do a shop over the weekend, must stick to my list!

laineyc_2

I think I am going to make in just this month -just. I only have to buy some milk at the weekend. Next week is pay day, so should make it.

lizziebabe

Hi everyone :wave:

Sorry to hear of peoples problems - big hugs x

Did a small shop in Mr T (express) as only needed a few things today - have updated £16.36

Would like to do a big shop, maybe tomorrow as freezer and stockcupboard a bit low. We'll see, as I am working on Saturday night and waiting to hear if I have a shift tonight and Sunday.

My life goes on hold a bit as I work for an agency (Nurse) and wait to hear if I have shifts which is usually short notice. I generally try to do weekends/nights as there is more money to be earned.

All my best to you all - have a lovely day

Nimeth

Done my weekly shop today, this time in A!di (I really do need to stay out of Te$cos and Morrison$ as I spend way more in there). £44.43 this week, including all fruit and veg so I can skip the farm shop this week. Definitely an improvement on last weeks spend!:p

Up to £153.39 for the month with two spends to go and had NSDs on Wednesday and Thursday. I'm thinking next week I may bring OH with me as he's more of penny-pinch than I am!:rotfl:

ButterPie_2

Hi all, newbie here!
I've just sat down and made an elaborate budget (including a rotation of where we do the main shop each week, over 8 weeks, to maximise savings and get bulky things delivered - we don't drive), we are busy in the garden, I'm planning to start baking bread, cakes and biscuits again for a bit of luxury, and I am trying to persuade my husband to keep receipts and stick to a budget.
I reckon £50 a week for food, household goods including nappies and gardening expenses is a good place to start for two adults and two under fives, especially since the two adults only work part time - hence the need to budget.
We've just had a good haul from approved food, and we have good stores of dry goods, so I think this week's main expenses will be nappies. I have one in nappies full time and one just at night. They have both grown out of the reusable ones, although we still have loads of terry squares, so we'll just get some bigger outers and hopefully that will cut down expenses a bit. Still need disposable for nursery and visiting grandparents though, and the older child won't wear washables (or, she will, but she goes to the loo in the night and can't get them back on).
We have a housewarming tomorrow, but are going to try frugal entertaining - big bowl of pasta and homemade sauce from our store cupboards, bit of homemade garlic bread (have run out of garlic, but that is cheap enough) and some scones from the 1kg of scone mix for £1.50 off approved food, as well as a tray of homemade flapjack. Total cost should be in the region of £2 for feeding up to around 15 - 20 people well, which is pretty good I think Add on some tea and coffee, maybe a box of wine (although it is bring a bottle) and our collection of charity shop boardgames, put some toys out, and I think we have covered all bases
Also going to try mending and altering clothes more - the baby is fine as we have a massive selection of hand me downs from our eldest and some friends, but the eldest is getting too big for her clothes, so I'm going to try a few alterations and making her things. Will also attempt to make some plain cheap clothes and charity shop finds a bit more exciting for her.

So, watch this space!