January 2007 Grocery Challenge

kiwi88_2

SayangAlly wrote:

Hi everyone - this is such a cool thread!

I did this informally in November which was fab although it was more to do with planning a varied diet than the money saving, but now I see the potential two-birds-with-one-stone benefits.
Does anyone have any pointers or sources (or links to other messages where these have already been given...)

Hi SayangAlly and Welcome :T

Have a look at Squeakys post (Pg 3 No 44) of this thread for ideas on Packed lunches a little bit more exciting than the ones I can normally think up :rotfl:

Other links for meal planning and cooking meals on budgets from this site as follows (hope these work!)

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=326929&highlight=50p+meal+thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=285670

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=278097&page=11&highlight=meal+planner

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=307937

EDIT Forgot this link is a good place to start
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=161168&highlight=menu+planning

Hope these help in some way

Janey51

I feel really proud of myself as its 3 days into 2007 and I haven't spent a bean out of my £80 food/housekeeping budget for this month.:j
Have to admit I meant to get porridge on the way home but was too tired to get out of the car so decided to make do with the Weetabix dregs I've got left for tomorrow morning.
Also have taken a really frugal lunch of homemade pasta, peas & onion with salad cream for 3 days...its a real relief after all the calories consumed recently even if its not very exciting.

Larumbelle

I am the same as you Janey - haven't spent a penny, too much going on to shop. I'm amazed that not smoking has not only saved me cigarette money, but 'while I'm here...' impulse buys I don't really need.

Of course, it helps that I'm loaded down with leftovers from my mum's at xmas and 'tins they never use but buy anyway' from their larder. I have to admit, having a spendthrift family does have its perks.

karren

I am going to stick to this this year and am cutting back on everything that I can, ive cancelled sky etc, and aim to enjoy free time reading etc, but also want to have good holidays too so wish us luck, and aim to lose 4 stone through will power and without rip off slimming clubs. any tips?

thriftykatie

I'm doing the grocery challenge too as part of my determination to get control of my debts. I am also hoping to lose weight (30lbs) and have joined the diet thread on here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=281337 and also the 2lb challenge on the same thread

If you'd like a one on one 'diet buddy' I'd be happy to do that with you - we can tell each other what we eat/don't eat, when we're tempted etc. What do you think? Just a suggestion, but don't mind if you'd rather not. Check out the diet thread though - I've already found it helpful just knowing others are in the same boat.

jcr16

i spent another 95p yesterday. i do need to buy some more bananas and apples tho. so might go into town tomoz for that. oh and tomato sauce.

thriftykatie

Well done JCR - you're doing better than me! Trouble is I love any type of shopping including food shopping, and can't resist a bargain even if I already have enough stuff at home. I am getting better and thinking about it though- went to the local shops yesterday and you wouldn't believe the number of times one pack of brandy snaps went on and off the shelf. YES they were half price, but NO they weren't a bargain as I wouldn't normally even consider buying them (even though I love them it's not something I would normally serve) so eventually my DFW head won and I put them back! Will update my signature later but still within budget as I have put £15 a week aside for fruit, veg milk and bread.

Got my tea bags - love PG so prefer to get them when on offer and managed that at Waitrose, only to go Iceland and find the offer there better so bought there as well and going to take the others back to Waitrose! Definitely worth it to save around 50p (on top of the offer saving) In any case, I now have enough tea to keep me going a while!

Also discovered the joys of coupons thanks to another thread I noticed on here yesterday so bought two copies of The Times - cost £1.30 but coupons are worth £6.40 I think so well worth it. Only thing is I will have to go shopping again to use them! :rolleyes:

miggy

My target is £85 a week including £15 a week dinner money for the kids (they can take packed lunches the rest of the time.)
I know £85 sounds like a lot of money but I will have to say 'no' to some impulse buys if I'm to stick within it every week.

SandiRaRa

Just read through all the thread and I am inspired! I'll start at the beginning of feb and for now I shall just collect all of my receipts. I know I overspend horribly, for 2 of us, one toddler, 1 cat and 2 rabbits I must spend about £100 a week. I'm sure I could get it down to £85 and still keep ds in pampers!

HazelEyes_3

chewy62 wrote:

Does anybody use a milkman? Just wondering if this would save those temptations everyday when I go to buy milk!?

I do - for 2 reasons: I think it is a wonderful service (doorstep delivery whatever the weather) and it keeps me out of the shops mid week. I know I am paying a premium but on balance it is worth it for taking temptation out of my way. There are only 2 of us so we don't use a lot of milk - when I had children at home it cost a lot more (but I had more income....) I'm on my way to my 4th No Spend Day because of keeping out of the shops.

Oh and glass milk bottles are much more environmentally friendly