December 2006 Grocery Challenge

lil_me

Argh not to self - Do not ever take son shopping with you again, and keep shopping online to resist temptation!!!!!! There goes another £40

miggy

twinklybev wrote:

Hi,
I'd like to try this food challenge - do people's amount include detergents, body sprays, razors, etc or just food. If it's everything then I've got a long way to go. Some people say they're spending around £30 per week as a couple. If I get washing powder, lynx, razors for OH etc, dishwasher powder, cleaning bits, they can come to over £20, would this then leave only £10 for food. Much appreciate any advice...

I get the feeling we vary... personally I'm not counting anything but eats as it gets complicated trying to decide what is a legitimate household expense (e.g. toothpaste) and what is pocket money spending (e.g. makeup).

miggy

I went to Tesco about 8 p.m. tonight, hoping they were reducing some gorgeous but dehydrated cyclamen, but they weren't. However, they had all sorts of veg reduced to 10p a bag, so I got some, plus a couple of chickens reduced to £1.50 each (half price) and some hummous reduced to 20p.
I spent £3.65 for what would have cost £10.70 - but I wouldn't have bought those things normally, they're too expensive.
Still within budget, still within budget, must be good, must be good, must be good...

miggy

I made it to Netto today, which I haven't done for a while. They have some nice Christmas stuff - £1.49 for a small crate of clementines and 0.99 for stollen.
Just noticed that - I thought it was £1.30 something!
I forgot to price cartons of fresh juice - having noticed the Tesco value ones are now 58p.
I remembered to get bread so I will have to be good and not buy anything when I go to Tesco later to price something up.
Having forgotten to take carrier bags I spent 5p on one in Netto, which seems silly when I have so many at home.
There is now less than £2 left on my budget for this week but a new week starts tomorrow so I'm not too despondent. Also I sorted through some kitchen cupboards and have discovered we need to eat chilli con carne, meringues, jelly and jam in a big way. <g>

kiwi88_2

Dec budget completly blown now Thought we were doing so well by meal planning the evening meals but forgot to factor in lunches and fresh bits :rotfl:

The reason I'm still laughing is that although we've blown the £375 budget we're still within the £500 monthly total we used spend before budgetting :eek: :eek:

lil_me

I've not included cleaning products, apart from washing powder, but I don't need to buy any as my cupboard is well overstocked! If I have to buy any before the end of the month I will be suprised. I've banned myself from buying them until I completely run out. Same with toiletries. I do have to update my total with the spending at the butchers and the shops today, £46 I think but will update after I check receipts.

Edit that much less than I thought, £36.60 forgot some of the purchase was presents.

redspot24

Hmm, have totted up total spending so far this month and realised that it's a good job we're going away at the end of the week else we'd have gone over-budget!
Have about £30 left but only need some more bits like milk and fruit this week and hopefully nothing too big next week either. I guess it's using our food budget to eat out and only planning on a week-by-week basis - definitely going to do some internet shopping in January and try to plan more for the whole month.... Any other tips would be gratefully received....

lil_me

I have over half left and it's over half way throught the month, I am quite suprised as I normally spend double my budget, if not more, and still have quite a lot in, farm shop meat order is going to make a big dent in it but I won't know how much until Saturday. Need to go shopping but trying to push what I have to last until the end of the week, without the children!!!

cheerfulness4

oh dear oh dear. My budgets blown this month. I really didn't expect to keep to it this time and I'm not going to give myself a hard time because I have spent massively less than I did this time last year.
On the plus side, I've managed to buy some greatly reduced meat from Netto yesterday which has filled my freezer and will supply some lovely meals into next month, so should save me in the new year. Feel proud of the last 3 month shopping challenge that I've done and relieved that I've only overspent a little.

Wish everyone well with their challenge this month.

jcr16

i've got 3.24 left of my budget. so have stuck within my 200 target again. and although my budget runs till's friday. i don't need anything. i have my xmas food order coming wednesday which is from a separate budget. and i still have 2 milk deliverys , but again from different pot. i so pleased with myself. although i could of cut it down a bit as i spent 40 or 50 of my budget on alcohol for xmas. but i still really really pleased with myself,