October 2011 Grocery Challenge

nannygladys

Well another NSD for me, and I have a casserole in the oven for tea, going to make dumplings for the first time ever so I hope they turn out alright.

Think I may approach this challange another way in November by doing a big shop at the beginning and then allowing myself a small amount each week. Only trying this as we have a good staff discount at the place I work at the moment so I may as well make use of it, but the biggi is that I wont be able to start using it until after I get paid next Friday!!!!!! sooooo will have to really resist not using any of the stuff until after then.

recovering_spendaholic

I get paid every 4 weeks so my month ended yesterday and I spent £375 with a budget of £360. I would like to aim for £360 for November, but I am not too sure how I will do because I need to get some stuff in for Christmas cakes etc. I have decided that I am going to make cakes and cookies as presents for friends this year.

I have a few quid in my purse left from this month's challenge so I aim to start my November challenge on Friday 28th.

Got a load of veg really cheaply in Tescos the other night so I am just going to look at some recipes for using it up. I downloaded the BBC Good Food apps for my iphone and they have some brilliant recipes on!

Just going to go back and read throught he thread - haven't had phone or internet because of a local fault for a few days so need to read back over the forums!

CompBunny

sls1365 wrote: »

I just realised - if I didn't smoke (£5.64 per day) I would have had 4 consecutive NSDs this week. I have made an appointment with the stop smoking people for 10.30am tomorrow.....:j

sls

CONGRATULATIONS!!! :j:j:beer::beer:Get yourself over to the stop smoking thread on this site, you will get so much support! https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2957492

My partner and I quit smoking at the beginning of the year and I couldn't of done it without the support there.

Well done on making that appointment, 10:00am was the time my quit smoking appointment was - had my last cig at 9:55am on the day and not another since then! Morning really is best Because you will be asleep for the hardest bit!

You will really notice the difference in spending - all those trips into the shop to buy a packet of cigarettes usually gets accompanied by a pack of chewing gum/a choc bar/something else thats not needed or could wait until a proper shop! We have saved £1,629 since quitting which is insane...not including extras like lighters etc.

Its nice to not smell like a tramp too! Stale smoke isn't attractive!:p

Well done, you have probably just made the best decision you have made all year

ebayqueen_2

sls1365 wrote: »

I just realised - if I didn't smoke (£5.64 per day) I would have had 4 consecutive NSDs this week. I have made an appointment with the stop smoking people for 10.30am tomorrow.....:j

sls

Hi sls
Hope all goes well tomorrow for you. As comp bunny says there is a thread you can sign up to.

take care
E

[Deleted User]

Hi All
I didn't do very well at all in Octobeer - lost the plot a bit. Def need to get back on th GC. Please can you put me down for £150 in November?
Thanks
Allie23

eveie189

I can't believe it, I...................actually came in budget for this month!!!!!!
I have been following this thread for about 2 years and never managed to stay in budget (other than once and to be honest I cheated alot that mmonth). I have taken to making my own bread and have stopped buying lots of crap (although we still buy a bit of rubbish). We have had 3 takeaways out of this so I am sure I can get even lower next month. I have also had a record 7NSD which is excellent for me. Anyhoo, I would like to declare at £477.68/£477.92.
And can I please set November at £500 as it's another 5 week month for me.

Thanks

Eveie

emmad5689

I must say I am very chuffed with myself right now, I need to go shopping tomoro but will try and keep it as low as I can and then I can't see any reason to buy anything else before the end of the month so not only do I think I am finally going to come in under budget but also should have more NSDs than i was aiming for. To be fair I know why this month has been better as OH has a hernia and as he is in pain he hasn't wanted to have a few cans as much through this month and therefore I haven't bought anywhere near as many.

dreamingofmoney

Hiya All

Completely snookered Oct budget, it was my first attempt for about a year, and i didn't really realise how much food has gone up, the need for meal planning, from scratch batch cooking etc. I am gonna draw a line under oct, get my self a spreadsheet set up and go for it in Nov, will post on there on the 1st nov, but will keep reading this thread until then.. So declaring at No idea whatsoever for Oct please.

Thanks
Dreamer

Islandmaid

Hi all,

Just a quickie to say NSD for me

Made HM sweet and sour chicken and rice for dinner, it was lush....

Have a fab evening all xx

sproggi

Well I made it to my target of 20 NSD's :j. My month does not finish until 31st, so I may even manage to squeeze an extra few in

Sproggi