January 2007 Grocery Challenge

thriftykatie

Count me in too please. I've been spending hours on this board since November/December and as I intend to make 2007 the year I make positive moves forward towards being debt free I reckon I should start with trying to cut back on food shopping.

I am aiming for £150 (well less if I possibly can but maybe that's being optimistic first time round!) to cover food and cleaning products, loo roll etc for myself and my 16 year old daughter. This does not cover petrol or my daughter's lunches.

I know the first month will be hard but think I have set a realistic budget, particularly as the freezer is well stocked at the moment and have lots of tinned tomatoes, beans, tinned fruit etc so that should help me along a bit.

I have started to plan meals for the month and am aiming to complete this over the next few days. I have got lots of recipes and tips off here so thanks everyone.

Off to Tesco in the morning - going to take cash to stop me overspending!

Wish me luck - I am determined to start getting myself out of my financial mess.

fairy3

Hi there,

please count me in too, first time and about time!

My challenge will run from the 1st - 31st as like others I was paid early so won't count first week. There are 3 teenagers, myself and the dog!I have receipts from December but this is probably not a typical month so will collect throughout Jan for a better picture.

Will aim for £250 this month as this has to include packed lunches for us all as well as cleaning products and toiletries etc.

Have no idea what I spend but think it has been increasing judging from the rubbish in the cupboards. I will try and add a sig. I am going to use the brilliant idea of a separate purse made by cuddlymarm too but just put £20 in it for the first week as I am desperately trying to collect tesco points so intend to use the online service, may need more planning!

Anyway am all fired up now and as I was given a lovely piggy bank for xmas I am looking forward to putting anything left over in there for the bathroom fund. Right off to do an inventory.....................I may be some time!

Good luck everybody.

J

jcr16

i have spent 12.06p today on a beef joint for news years day. i could of spent loads more as somerfield had loads of xmas chocolates and goodies reduced. but i really don't need them so i resisted. and i also spent 16.99 in buthcers on big pack of pork sausages , 2 packs of bacon , tray of 10 chicken fillets and 5 beef steak's. very impressed.

miggy

I'm back! Doing the grocery challenge was good for me in December and we still had plenty in when I went to do this week's big shop (this happens on a Wednesday or Thursday), so I just bought the heavy stuff and some things to tide us over New Year.
We are two adults and children aged 15, 13 and 11 - so we get through quite a bit of food - Kaz, you have my sympathies!
December's budget was £90/week - to my amazement I spent more than that the first week! Since then I have been getting better, though once the kids are back to school there is £15/week lunch money to come out of the budget, which is now £85/week.
I was wondering what to do with any surplus but I guess it has to be ploughed back in to feed the overdraft.
My resolution for the month is to cook double or treble on purpose more often, and freeze the rest to save hassle (and maybe money.)

loumac

WOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOO!!!!

So excited - I've just been looking at my finances spreadsheet and realised where I have added up my food shopping receipts I've put two of them twice!

Check out my new signature! :T Now that makes more sense. I wondered where I'd gone wrong. Ha! No wonder I've been so bad with money up till now.

Oh and I'm a teacher, I really should improve my maths! :rotfl:

Brassic

Hi there,

I would like to join in on this one, but I may need some inspiration. I have 40 pounds to use to feed a family of 5 for a month (I had previously been trying to achieve 300 quid a month)

I knew it would be tight this month, so I bought a load of pasta, tinned tomatos etc in December, but it will still be very rough - especially for the kids :O

I have menu planned for the next 2 weeks, but am really dreading it. Ho hum, good luck everyone else!!

Cheers,
Brassic

IWannabedebtfree

Brassic- I feel for you, as I was in a very similar situation, a couple of months ago and wish you all the best.
I am joining this thread for the first time. For our family of 2 adults and 2 kids I have £200 for food,toiletries and household cleaners for January.
I have £200 for everything else.
No petrol as no car- BUT I tend to use taxi's and buses a lot,so that will have to stop-more walking (haven't got a bike and don't really like them after an accident.)
This is a HUGE step down from my old spending budget-used to have £400 for food and £450 for everything else-and no way could I keep within it.
Well, it's all come crashing down and I felt a fool for a while, but this board has helped me get up again and get on with sorting it out-so thank you all so much.
I'm aiming towards a cheap holiday this year, IF we've saved enough- if not we just won't go.

redspot24

I'm definitely in again... Did my first grocery challenge in December and over-spent by £15-ish. Not great but it will help this month's budget as got a few bits like washing powder and olive oil in already. Also decided to reduce the budget by £10 as I'm away for a week so bf can live off frozen portions of spag bol etc. He should also have enought chocolate left from Christmas to be to stop him from unplanned sojourns to the shop!
Have absolutely devoured the new os book (signed copy - how exciting!! :j :j :j ) This has helped me loads. Am going to search out white wine vinegar so no more expensive cleaning products for us. Also got a slow cooker for Christmas (didn't even ask for it but my growing reputation as a thrifty lady meant by sister in law decided it was a good present! :rotfl: )
My month will just run from 1st to 31st, although already have some of the food in for early in the week. Have planned the meals for the rest of the month (hope the plan works!!) and have ordered a big on-line shop for next Weds. It comes to £82-ish but should then only need to buy fruit, veg, milk etc so £50 to cover the rest should be fine. Here goes...

chewy62

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

lil_me

Well December is almost over and I have money spare (which is going in my savings pot tonight apart from £5 for any emergencies and bread etc) then will have to resist take away as a treat for being under budget which is soooo tempting. For me to manage on £300 after spending well over double that was a challenge and a half! But I knew I had everyone in here to answer to if I went over.

Anyway, I am yet to do meal plans, shopping lists, stock cupboard lists etc but wish to push myself a little further. I think knocking £40 for the month will really push me to do even better! Cold turkey month for me This will include the packed lunch items, back to school on 8th which I am going to look for cheaper alternatives for than my sons usually take. I am also buying more for DP this month as he's starting to take food to work.

£260 this month, going to take it out of the bank in cash and keep it seperate so I know where I am at.

My sons now set his heart on Benidorm this year so I need to reduce the spending and start saving, will be our first family holiday abroad if I can do it, but need passports too

As for milk yes, I do get mine delivered. 8 pints a week ( 4 x 2 pint cartons ) it's no longer daily delivery here and costs me £3 a week (comes out of budget). It saves me overbuying just incase, forgetting to buy and I can order more if needed. I've been using more over the holidays so have ordered extra for next week. Does stop temptations to buy more when I just 'pop to shop for milk' but I think the lady in the local village store is in a huff with me as I used to spend about £10 a day in there if not more!

Good luck everyone !!! Happy New Year to all!!