Horrified at monthly budget - Help required

RhiBi

We're a family of 6 too (kids aged between 4 and 13!) and a few months back I was probably spening around £60-700 a month on groeceries. Now I take cash out at the beginning of the month, and that is my grocery allowance for the month. The first month I did £500 budget, last month I spent just over £430, and this month my budget is £250 as we were away the beginning of the month.

I post and read on the old style money saving board which has been really useful. Join the groecery challenge and there are so many people with excellent ideas that will help you along the way.

Good luck, I'll enjoy sharing tips with you if you like, as having a larger family is a struggle sometimes I know!

elmer

Dont beat yourself up, you should see it as a work in progress.

It can be very difficult when you first start to keep going week after week (I have the same issues but with dieting!) especially if you have a very good week and the next doesnt work out so good, it can feel like youve failed.

I try to take a more long term view a bit more this week and hopefully a bit less next but heading in the right direction.

Keep your chin up and give it another go next week.

elmer

MILLYMOLLY

Have you had a look at the voucher thread and old style thread, I've saved quite a bit following their advice and I've got 6 to feed lol (5 big eaters as well) Have warned them I want to try to get shopping down to £300 pm.
Good luck

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

its hard at the mo, I've just been talking to hubby about price hikes and packs getting smaller etc, no room in the budget for treats...

-try Lidl as they offer excellent value produce at very good prices

-try mking your own bread, I bake 3 loaves and 4 large baps a day 3 days a week, freeze surplus and this lasts 4 of us a week sarnies for packups included, costs 33p per loaf including energy costs (I have a remoska tho')

-porridge for brekky and rubber chicken keeps us going, I did a turkey crown on sunday (leftover from xmas whoopsie) tonight feast is risotto from the stock.

-every thursday is macaroni cheese night with beans, dirt cheap, fills us up and nutritious.

-I never get takeaways now, make my own...

- dont buy cr*p! no pop, biscuits crisps or rubbish, better for you and cheaper, hard tho' as all the bogofs are empty calorie foods..

good luck and keep us posted

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

..ps...
I forgot to say dont waste a thing!

I found a couple of pears on the turn the other day, chopped off the manky bit and make a fatless sponge! sweet stuff goes in muffins, savoury stuff goes in soup, stew or similar..

cocoloco

Check Mysupermarket website to compare prices between Asda, Tesco and Sainsburies.

Between Asda, Tesco and Lidl/Aldi you will find all sort of BOGOF offers on everyday necesities, for example- Tesco's 2 Anti bacterial washing up liquid for £1.20 (BOGOF).

Also check out the coupons on this MSE- there is 50p McCains lightly spiced vedges (750g), on offer £1.05 in Tescos- making it 55p per bag!

The pound shops are also great for branded cleaning stuff/ toileties/ snakcs...

Don't worry, with a little bit of planning you will be able to manage your budget and your family will not be missing out on anything.!

bcl999

I saw the thread title and your handle and thought Mr Osborne had joined MSE. Sorry!

CH27

Money_Spending_Fool wrote: »

not so cheap when you take in account quality IMO.
depends.

not cherap is u have to throw it away

I've never thrown anything away from Aldi.
Can't speak for Lidl as I haven't bought fruit & veg there.

asparagusnextleft

Home Bargains is good for all sorts of stuff if there is one near you.

jollymummy

Fruit and veg from your local market is a good way of saving. I've stopped buying biscuits, cakes etc, if we want them I make them from scratch. This also stops me from scoffing a biccy everytime I walk by the cupboard
I second Home Bargains being good for food, as well as Farm Foods for tins, loo roll etc and B & M Stores are good for food and toiletries too.