November 2011 - Grocery Challenge

Spiggle

Thorndrop wrote: »

Thanks.
Meal plans ... Where should I post these? That being said, my cooking is pretty simple by some standards.

Hi Thorndrop,

I'm sure there is a meal plans thread somewhere on the forum but I'm sorry I don't know where. :huh: You could just post up your recipes on here as you make them and then the star that rosieben is will add them to the recipe lists at the front of the thread.

lilrahi wrote: »

I want to join this. I need to refine my shopping habits. I tend to go to buy one thing and come with huge amounts of stuff. ... I have started saving my receipts so hopefully it will all be there.

Hello and welcome lilrahi,

This tends to be the weakness of us all! There are a few ways to combat the habit though. First, always make, take and use a list when you shop. :T Second, if your tempted by something not on the list, ask yourself do I want it or do I need it and can I really afford it this week/month. :think: Third, when you have to go out to buy something, put it on a list and then check your staples (milk, cheese, bread, butter, tea, etc.) before you go to the shop so you won't need to make another trip. :idea: We've all done the "go in for milk come out £20 lighter" so you are not alone. :wall:

moonflower wrote: »

Please count me in I am a newbie £200 Moonflower ...

Hello and welcome moonflower,

You and all newbies have come to the right place for supportive, innovative and friendly advice about all things grocery. Check out the recipe lists at the front of the thread for nutritious and delicious meals. And remember there is no such thing as a stupid question. Welcome and good luck with your money saving. :wave:

Nothing new to report on the spends front. Planning a quiet day waiting for the last items listed on eB*y to finish. I may continue my decluttering in here and list some other things. We shall see.

Have a great Sunday all,
Spigs

franby64

Now up to £321.04/£380.

I seem to have dispatched nearly £20 in two days . It's only on basics though, I regularly spend @£5 on just a quick shop of bread, milk, fruit - scary.

So 10 days to go at about £5.89 a day.
Hope everybody's having a good weekend.

meg72

SpikyHedgehog wrote: »

Today's lesson - check your receipt while still in the supermarket...

Went to M0rris0ns last night to get ordinary groceries plus stuff for DS1's birthday, the lady said £100 something & being depressed about this I stopped listening after £100 so didn't know what the something was, just stuck my card in to pay. Updating my spreadsheet tonight of how much I've squandered away on stuff (still feeling depressed about it) & went through the receipt to see what wasn't on my shopping list.

I bought 1 butternut squash... it went through as 100! They'd also put through 3 pizza bases instead of 2, giving a total overcharge of £100.44! Phoned them up & they knew about it - well, I don't suppose they had 100 butternut squash to sell - & said it will go back on next time I go in. Which will be tomorrow.

Still spent too much really even with the £80 I've actually put down as my grocery spend - he only had 4 of the 8 friends he'd invited, & they didn't eat all the food or even half... Will get mini pizza bases next time & ignore what he says, not that they had any. Off to record my estimate of what I've thrown away tonight now.

So sorry you are feeling low.have a hug. I have always found it upsetting when party food is wasted but i know I always provide too much for fear of there not being enough.

I love the idea of thee do it yourself pizza parties for small groups of kids as it seems they enjoy them and will eat what they have made themselves.

budget_babe

Oh Dear, Budgie has crashed and burned

Yes fellow grocery challenge friends I have already gone over my pledged total of £275. (Quite a bit to be honest).

So therefore what has Budgie learned so far?

Well I need to be more frugal that is for sure, I shall do a weekly shop instead of what I did this month and going for the stocking up option, which hasn't worked.

Looking at the positive, its putting the building blocks into action and then learning from there.

Not sure how I will calculate December as its Christmas and my Ds will be home so of course I need to spoil him and he isn't very mse I am afraid.

So I shall endeavour to do better from here on in, my focus shall be to make 2012 a grocery challenge success.

I think my main problem is not meal planning enough, must do better on that one.

So everyone thank you for all your posts and encouragement that you give on this board. It is much appreciated to the newbies such as myself.

Onwards and upwards.
Budgie x

mmmsnow

I've lost track a bit this week but I'm definitely over my budget. I'm estimating just under £59 spent in the last few day which takes me to around £195/£180

JIL

Hi all

I have not checked in for a while. However I have some good news to report, we have space in our freezer!!! In the old days I would only ever have had space when I tidied it out and threw out things that were near to their best before date. However this time I can honestly say its because it has been eaten.

I gave myself £80 and it will be nearer to £100 by the end of the month, but I am happy with that. I did not add to my stocks, instead I used what we had in already. The breadmaker has been out and I have made cakes. The night before work, I took 5 minutes and planned for the following day. This helped lots it kept me out of the shops as I took a packed lunch to work and I had moved the frozen stuff to the fridge for an overnight defrost.

I got a lot of motivation, tips and ideas from the posters on here and other threads, so I would like to say a big thank you (and hope the new me lasts)

helen_jelly

Budgets for Dec noted to here

Prepareathome - interesting link! Calpol - not medical advice but can your DGD have a non brand Calpolo type medicine - my local pharmacy does exactly the same thing but at half the price, my DD and DS won't take a tablet either, I get a bigger bottle of Paracetamol Suspension for 6+ at £2.70, HTH

Hi to our new joiners and welcome

Moonflower - is your budget for November or December hun

Helen x

recovering_spendaholic

Prepareathome - have you joined your kids in care at the chemist? If so then Calpol is free, as is other stuff like nit stuff, canesten, anti-histamines etc. You just go to a pharmacy (your usual one) and register them and then if they need anything just take your card and ask the pharmacy team and they will dispense it and fill out your card.

APent £7 in Tesco last night as needed birthday cards for two of DD2s friends and I had none in and all the other shops were closed! Got two big Toblerones for presents and put a £5 in the cards.

I was in a new local coffee shop yesterday with a friend and I was talking to the owner about how lovely it was in there (all retro 1940's style) and I told him that I made cupcakes as a hobby and showed him some of the photos on my phone of ones I had made for friends and he asked if I would do him some for the shop! He wants 2 dozen for Tuesday and will see if they go alright so that is good!! I am going to do some vanilla, capuccino, cookies and cream, double chocolate truffle and orange and lemon. I am quite excited but nervous about it too!

Lunch today is chicken, chips and peas out of the freezer and dinner tonight is pork steaks, potatoes, cabbage, carrots and onion gravy. Still well within budget so am quite pleased, although I could do so much better!

PennyGrabber

Well done JIL!! You must be feeling pretty proud of yourself right now!! Being able to feel organised is the key as far as I'm concerned... I try to do this, but only ever remember 3 or 4 out of 7 days! Still, better than nothing!

Recovering spendaholic - that's fab news! Just think, today your kitchen, tomorrow the world! Hope it all goes well for you.

Well done prophecy girl for becoming debt free - long may it continue for you.

I've had a spend day today, but the children were really helpful! If I went to put something in the trolley, dd (6 and in charge of crossing things off the list) would say but mummy that's not on the list!! That meant I had to justify all my extras. Made me think a bit, and put a few things back. Still spent £34odd, but some of that was stocking up on Christmas carp as I'm hosting this year...

PG xx

Spiggle

recovering_spendaholic wrote: »

... I was in a new local coffee shop yesterday with a friend and I was talking to the owner about how lovely it was in there (all retro 1940's style) and I told him that I made cupcakes as a hobby and showed him some of the photos on my phone of ones I had made for friends and he asked if I would do him some for the shop! He wants 2 dozen for Tuesday and will see if they go alright so that is good!! I am going to do some vanilla, capuccino, cookies and cream, double chocolate truffle and orange and lemon. I am quite excited but nervous about it too! ...

That is brilliant recovering spendaholic! :T:j:T Well done, you must be so chuffed and deservedly so.

Good luck with your baking.

All the best,
Spigs