January 2007 Grocery Challenge

fairy3

Hi all,

am well into 2nd week and doing fine with the menu plan which is the key for me as I work full time it has taken the 'wonder' element out of the equation. Also stopped 'popping in on the way home' for bits that cost £15. Anything needed is bought on the trip to the shop when out with the dog with only the cash in my 'weekly purse'.

I have had lots of other 'things' to worry about with poor health of a parent and the mortgage and this would usually have meant takeouts and needless spends so the grocery challenge has helped.

Plan a shop at the weekend for fresh and an online for everything else and I am going to try and plan an 8 day menu to stretch it as suggested a while ago.

Am getting lots of tips and help from this thread so thank you everyone.

J
x

malvena_2

Had a bit of a spend today so my amount so far has reached 26.93 for the month. Gonna hide purse I think.;)

Just need to go to other thread to find a lentil soup recipie. When done I should have enough food for the month.

MonstersMummy

I've been re reading my copy of new english kitchen again and am thinking about starting doing her big joints of meat which do 6-7 meals thing she does. My eldest wont like it much but he'll get used to it!
Just wondering if anybody knows what sort of price difference there will be between butchers and tescos. I know the meat will be better quality from butchers but will the cost seriously hamper my reduction in spending? I've been doing so well but worried that one joint will equal what I have been spending on everything!!!!
Thanks.

millionaire_in_training

Jeez!!! I am rubbish at this. The only thing spurring me on is the thought of what I must normally spend. Ok really need to do a menu plan for next 2 weeks and totally stick to it. Even though it looks like I will go over budget this 4 weeks I have been able to make quite a lot of extra payments to debts and will pay for my car tax without a credit card for the first time in years. Oh and also havent used my credit card this year without paying the money in immediately so thats a definate plus. Ok am away to list my freezer and cupboard contents and do a plan. Wish me luck please. xx

mustafa_say_ving

I've not been doing too badly so far ,wk 1 was well within budget,this week I'm slightly over ,mind you Mr Ts are doing a special on the brand of coffee we drink so I've been buying quite a few jars of that .....thinking longterm you see. Plus, I've been buying some reduced Christmas bargains too.

Meal planning has certainly helped

mustafa_say_ving

millionaire_in_training wrote:

Jeez!!! I am rubbish at this. The only thing spurring me on is the thought of what I must normally spend. Ok really need to do a menu plan for next 2 weeks and totally stick to it. Even though it looks like I will go over budget this 4 weeks I have been able to make quite a lot of extra payments to debts and will pay for my car tax without a credit card for the first time in years. Oh and also havent used my credit card this year without paying the money in immediately so thats a definate plus. Ok am away to list my freezer and cupboard contents and do a plan. Wish me luck please. xx

Good Luck millionaire in training , I'm sure the meal planning will help ,it's helped me no end

newlywed

Well all I can say is.... I'm failing again!!

Spent over my budget already and will still need to get bread, milk and was planning a roast chicken next weekend that I may have to re-think - though it was going to do 3 meals. Oh well, should still be able to keep under £200 if I'm really good. Can't seem to get it much lower.

Must try harder next month!

cupid_s

We'll we've spent a grand total of £20 this month so far. I am quite impressed with myself even though I set myself a budget of less than that so far. The main cost is fresh fruit and veg as I've also joined the lose weight thread and eating more than 5 portions a day does add up

brummiebabe

Did a top-up shop yesterday, as didn't need loads - still came to £48.99!! Also bought some nappies, baby toiletries at Boots (earning extra advantage points:money: ) and bought an extra 6 pinter of milk during the week. This weeks grand total therefore £64.91!! Not bad..me thinks (for me anyway!!):T

MonstersMummy

ooh can I use my advantage points to get nappies at boots? That will halve next weeks shopping bill!!!!