dizzy lizzies Debt Free Diary

Seaxwyn

HI dizzy lizzie

Just wanted to say hi and good luck. I'm just like you, seem to go to the supermarket every other day, but by shopping with a list (and buying nothing that isn't on the list) I have got it down to about £70 a week for a family of six. I know I can do better though.

I'm going to try internet shopping too, as I've just joined quidco. I don't like the idea of buying food I haven't seen, but I'm sure I can get over that!

Another tip if you haven't thought of it is to avoid the supermarket. Where I live we have a Saturday market which has fruit and veg MUCH cheaper than the supermarket, also there's a specialist Asian shop, which I found a bit intimidating at first as it has lots of very unfamiliar looking produce, however they have certain things much cheaper than elsewhere, including rice and garlic.

Best of luck and I'll look out for your thread.

dizzy_lizzie

Seaxwyn wrote:

HI dizzy lizzie
Best of luck and I'll look out for your thread.

Thanks so much. Your shopping bill is brilliant, like you say it's just a case of sticking to it and planning. I've just gone on my internet banking and here are my spending figures for this month. Asda/Tesco/Co-Op total for month (card purchases only) £225.58
Clothes shops for daughter (ard purchases only) £86.98
Dunelm/Dominos pizza (only one visit here)/petrol station/Holland&Barratt/Wilkos/Bodycare/ (card purchases only) £80.49
Total £393.05
ATM Withdrawals £280
Loan payment/Direct debits/Charities £341.63
Total for the month £1014.68 :eek: :eek: :eek:

I am shocked. The direct debits etc. are ok it's the atm withdrawals and grocery etc which I just can't believe. Food wise it's not like we eat like kings!!! As I said it's mainly veggie and not even dairy for me being a vegan, I would say it's quite frugal really because I just don't buy meat products!!!!
I am starting a spending diary today and told hubby he is too!
Now I need to do a weeks menu. I'll look at what we've got in and add fresh veg and fruit to this. I have to go to the supermarket for this though because I try to buy organic when I can and our local market doesn't do organic BUT I'll take a list and leave my credit card at home.
Despite the shock I'm feeling positive but at the same time really mad with myself for my easy come easy go attitude!!! It's a challenge now to see if I can beat this amount, Shouldn't be too hard, those amounts are ridiculous!!!!!!
I am sooooo glad I started this diary.
Thanks for your support x

dizzy_lizzie

Gone through the cupboards and freezer to help with this weeks menu. I have a brand new slow cooker which I haven't used yet so will look for some vegan recipes to throw in this. I know I have to get a bit of shopping today and I really don't want to spend any money! I suppose that's a good sign Off to look for some recipes for the slow cooker. x

Monday - Friday Menu
Monday - Pizza Jkt Potato and salad (fruit)
Tuesday - Quorn Korma and Naan Bread (ice cream)
Wednesday - Quorn pie/Quorn sausages, mashed potato, gravy (fruit)
Thursday - Broccolli, potato and veggie bacon bake (baked banana and melted chocolate)
Friday - Stilton, veggie bacon & mushroom bake (fruit)

Shopping list for tomorrow (didn't get a chance to go for full list today)
Quorn sausages, Quorn pieces, Jar Korma sauce, Naan Bread, Stilton, Mushrooms, Alpro milk, Potatoes, 2 Onions, Plums, Bagels, Ice cream, Toilet Freshener.

Happy with my last two spend days. Had to pop to Asda for dog food, spent £4.25 on dog food, soya yogurts, fromage frais and yorkshire puds.

dizzy_lizzie

Went to Tesco. Took £30 and my shopping list. It came to £28.53 less 30p coupon - £28.23p. I also asked at the pharmacy if they had any of the winter free sample bags. She found the bags, looked in one and said 'It's teeth and beans' and kindly gave me three bags. Each bag contains samples of colgate toothpaste, soya milk, orbit chewing gum, chuppa chup lolly, 2 tetley t-bags, cranberry juice, large tin of branston beans, some info on nicorette and a pound voucher off for february Top Sante mag, plus 35p voucher. Plus, picked up two of the tesco mags which have 2 money off coupons inside.
So hopefully won't be visiting the supermarket again this week due to planning meals. :j

bobble_hat

Hi Dizzy,

Found your diary. Those free sample bag things sound great, so you just go up the pharmacy counter and ask?

I'm off of to big Tesco's for my next grocery shop, I've been going to Sainsburys because it's closer, but I think I'll get more bargains at Tescos.

dizzy_lizzie

Hiya bobble_hat
I get mine from the pharmacy counter. I just asked if they had any of the free sample bags for winter and she said after looking in one that it was teeth and beans this time. (can't see the connection but still). The last one I had had soup, mitchum deodorant, green tea bags and a Top Sante magazine inside. There would have been a few other bit and bobs but can't remember.
If they haven't got any they can only say no but might be able to tell you when the next lot are due in. The Tesco magazine also has a couple of vouchers inside. I used to feel a bit cheeky asking for them but at the end of the day they are for us, the customers. Hope you manage to get one.

dizzy_lizzie

Had to give daughter some money towards her hair cut today and didn't take lunch so had to buy that, as well as snacks for a group intervention at school though I'll get that back. Total spent £22.50. Not good but couldn't be helped.

dizzy_lizzie

Ummm mixed feelings about today. Dd asked me to get a bag of mixed salad on the way home from work. Popped into co-op but they had none, but bought bottle of juice and a paper which I left on the counter!! So as I pass asda I called in there and it cost me £8.88!!! But did get some nice salad stuff. Ah well, I still would have been spending twice as much if I hadn't started this diary.

dizzy_lizzie

Oh dear the weekend has gone to pot!!!!! Friday took £50 out to pay towards dd hair.(she had it done at college but hated it, now have to take her to my hairdressers to fix it)! I said I'd pay whatever it was over £50. Anyway it was £55 so I paid a fiver to it. Then £14 at Asda for 18th present. Saturday went to Bury, took my boots vouchers and spent £12.91 for £49 worth of stuff plus points so not bad. Don't know what I did with the rest of the £50.
Saturday was going out so took £30 out but I drove so had my soft drinks bought me so spent nothing. So, still had the £30 and popped into town today with son. Not only spent the £30 but also called in asda on way back and that was £23. Consequently not happy but I think I did quite well really. At least this time I was aware what I was spending, usually that doesn't come into it. A step forward me thinks I'm still rubbish at all this and I know where my failings are, I just have to try a lot harder. Was doing really well until friday when I took that cash out. I didn't even really need it. Why did I take that much out??? Anyway monday is a new week so onward and upwards

dizzy_lizzie

Today I am completely and utterly fed-up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dd had to have £10 for her fone credit and I spent £4.85 in the bakery. Tomorrow I have to contribute to someones engagement at work and I owe £7 in the 'coffee pot'.
Is there any point in working. :mad: Just having a moan to myself. Will feel better tomorrow I'm sure. (fingers crossed)