July 2011 Grocery Challenge

Homeagain

Mmmm, I sometimes think I am on another planet. 400.00 per month for groceries?? In my case its probably (basics etc) 100 per month. What do you lot eat???

Homeagain

emmad5689 wrote: »

This is my first month doing this and I really am not sure how much we spend but I can guarentee it is too much, i'm setting the budget at £400 for the month for 2 adults, 1 child, 1 baby, 2 dogs, a rabbits and 2 gerbils. I have a few issues, my OH is a nitemare and will not have cheaper stuff on some things such as tracker bars, lager, chocolate bars for work. We get our babies milk on prescription thank god but have to include nappies and food for her as she is 9 months she is on 3 meals a day and I can't freeze meals for her as they go really watery for some reason so she pretty much gets the ready jars which is TOO expensive. I have to do some shopping tomorrow but hopefully only a few bits so not too bad but main shop will be next weekend. Does anyone know can you freeze prepared veg, cutting swede really hurts my hands so I buy the prepared bag but only me and baby that will eat it so half goes in the bin was just thinking if I can freeze it then it would do two meals instead of one??

Apparently if you microwave a raw swede for 1- 2 mins, its much easier to peel and cut.

quintwins

nicolafine everyone is diferent i have 3 kids so my budget is £200 (not doing so good at it lately) however some people may have more kids or more pets or just more expensive taste in general and don't feel they should compromise that or allergies or may not be the best cooks so buy ready meals or might not have a freezer so buy fresh every few days

Changingme

Can I please join for this month for £300 as really needing to get this down as hours are being cut at work.:)

20somethinghousewife

OH DEAR, oh dear!!

Thought I was doing sooo well. Went to Ikea for the day today, bought lunch there not even thinking that I'd have to include it in my food budget. So that's another £11.10 gone (for 3 adults) and don't feel like I have anything to show for it

Spent £280 on stuff in Ikea too although it was mainly on things we 'needed' and had planned to buy months ago. Got TONS of stuff for that money including wardrobe & chest of drawers for spare bedroom, and won't be going again for a VERY long time!

Have also had to cough up £462.50 for road tax for both cars this week :eek: I'm off to cry into my beans on toast now...

Doom_and_Gloom

cheerfulness4 wrote: »

Anyone know by chance if there are coffee deals anywhere for nescafe or like?

Nescafe original is on offer at Mr S at £4.99 for a 300g jar until the 5th of July if that is any help to you (I'm hoping I'm not too late to help you).

emmad5689

Nicolafine wrote: »

Apparently if you microwave a raw swede for 1- 2 mins, its much easier to peel and cut.

Great thanks for that.

emmad5689

Nicolafine wrote: »

Mmmm, I sometimes think I am on another planet. 400.00 per month for groceries?? In my case its probably (basics etc) 100 per month. What do you lot eat???

I have the oh that will not compromise on much, he doesn't go out but he does have lager in the house and has a bottle of cheap version of red bull every day plus chocolate crisps and tracker bars that I constant try and find on offer. I have 2 dogs who can only have one type of food due to very iffy tummies and a baby who is mainly fed on baby jars due to the freezer not preparing cooked food very well although I am going to have another go this week as need to get it down.

Doom_and_Gloom

Nicolafine wrote: »

Mmmm, I sometimes think I am on another planet. 400.00 per month for groceries?? In my case its probably (basics etc) 100 per month. What do you lot eat???

It does depend on how many people and/or pets people have, if there are any allergies/intolerances (sp?) they have etc. It also depends on what people include. Some people will only include food for them/their family, others will include pet food, others will include toiletries, maybe they include nappies in their budget, some people include alcohol in their budget while others have a different budget for that or don't drink etc.

How many people are you feeding for your £100 budget? Do you have any pets and are their costs included if you do? Is your budget just for food or do you include other items? Etc...

Also if you have a low income you are more likely to have a lower budget as you have to, others may have a higer income and don't have to worry as much about how much they spend but like to keep it to a reasonable amount for their income. You just do not know peoples circumstances as people just do not state all their circumstances when putting up their budget.

mandco

well managed to spend another £48 today so thats £116 down so far and its only the 1st :eek: really really must do better.
did buy a lot of F&V though and to be fair the fridge/freezer and even store cupboards are/where still pretty bare partly coz we've been away and I run them down before hand and partly coz i've not been doing any planning and just buying whatever and it def shows.

think I might have been a bit optimistic with this months budget even taking into account the extra allowence but gonna try and get as close as possible coz i've got an expensive couple of months coming up and need to stretch the budget as much as possible before then.

other then bread and possibly milk shouldnt actually need anything till next week just need to stay away from the shops till then.

anyone else find it sooo hard to avoid the(its not really coz you dont need it) bargin offers on junk food? seems every shop I go in has chocolate /crisps /fizzy drinks on offer.

thanks to everyone who keeps this tread going :T and goodluck everyone for this months challenge