December 2011 - Grocery Challenge

bikelesschick

Although my month doesn't start until the 1st, I've already declared for November to avoid spending tomorrow so I might as well set my target for December.

DH was away with work for most of November and I have no idea how much we used to spend so December will be our trial month. We'll probably spend Xmas and New Year's away so, in theory, it should be a 'normal' month for us foodwise.
Can I please be put down for £200?

cleggie

Hi, can you please put me down for £220 again this month? Thanks!

ms_night_ryder

Checking in with my first spends of the month £4.08 in waitrose, went to get the bottle green on offer so 67p for the white grape one and 2 bottles for 59p using mocs, also since it was payday treated myself to a gu mango and lime pudding and some onion rings, got a nimble loaf whoopsied to 35p, dont really understand as sell by was 1st dec, most will go in the freezer.

XSpender

Sometimes I feel like I am fighting a losing battle with my GC:( Not helped by my DH who wanted a chipy tea tonight as he has been under the weather over the weekend and came home poorly yesterday. Another £5.60 to add and 51p for my morning tea.

I am embarrased by my target for a family of 3 inc 1 toddler and 2 small dogs when I see how well some of you manage on much smaller budgets. I know it's not a competition but I would love to be able to significantly reduce my budget, I am just not sure how.:(:(:( I want to save in 2012 and over spending on food is not gonna help me achieve this:mad:

Meal plan has been amended due to chippy tea and chinese in the last 3 days:eek:

Wed - Quorn RM lasagne, garlic bread
Thur - Sausage casserole using a packet and mash and maybe green beans
Wed - Omlettes, jacket pots and baked beans
Thurs - Chilli, spicy wedges and grated cheese
Fri - M&S leek, cheese and butterbean pie, HM oven chips, peas
Sat - I am out at a chistmas party so DH scampi, HM curry or sausages (whatever he wants to make tbh)
Sun - pork/nut cutlet, RM roast pots, veg

I have some £12 and £8 off an £80 spend from Mr T. I want to get some kids clothes for presents so may use the first £12 one this weekend and the other £12 one is for 2 weeks time which I may use for a store cupboard stock up and January's dog food. The £8 ones I won't bother with.

pipersky

December is going to be a tricky one for me... I have £150 in stamp cards for T's, so should I count that in my budget or just the cash that I spend? Sod it, I'm going to give myself a budget of ...


(wait for it........)



£350 for December! :eek::eek::eek:

Including the stamp cards

I know it's a lot but I'll definately make it under budget which will set me up for a nice warm gooey feeling about the GC 2012 Go me! I'm a winner before the month has even begun :cool:

p-pincher

Hi Everyone

Well failed miserably with November, lost track half way through and couldn't keep up. Must have spent up to £300. But at least i've learnt an important lesson-Must post regularly. Kept thinking i'll do it tomorrow, lost receipts, 2 birthday teas, oh what a disaster. My budget for December (26th Nov til 25th Dec) is £240. Ive got an extra £60 put away fof Christmas shopping that's separate so not to worried about that.

Already had 1 trip to Aldi and a small trip to Asda tonight. I love Aldi, Got 6 bags full for under £40, gotta love it, including mince, chicken, veg and pack up stuff. I'm a full convert

Annie_the_Queen

Hi, thought I coulod do with the inspiration of others aiming to kkep their budgets under control. I am aiming for a spend of £240 I am not sure what my usual spend is although as I go to Aldi I normally do well at keeping my costs down. Last week I went to Mr T and I was shocked at the total, I am only going for the few things I need next time!!

rosieben

Copying this here from the November thread in case Tiger doesn't see it there:

_________________________

Originally Posted by tigerfeet2006
Meant to say I drizzled some olive oil on this and tossed it round before I put it into bake

Tiger, could you copy and paste the note above into your original recipe post when you have a chance please. Someone reading the recipe in years to come probably won't see your later post

I've added the recipe to the Nov and Dec indexes :beer:

PolkaDotsAndLace

Have mentioned this grocery challenge to OH tonight after financial bad news (had been keeping it quiet till then that I was doing it) and he's astonishingly up to it - I think he's quite relishing the possibility of going round A*da with a calculator this weekend!! (I did point out this wasn't really necessary given I would have a shopping list and be all organised...) Nice to have him onside at least, he's usually awful for chucking extra bits in the trolley!

medsdemon

Hubby went to MrS after his circuit class and bagged some whoopsies- 3x packs of haddock fillets @ 50p each, a chicken lasagne @ 55p and an a big carton of pouring yoghurt @ 44p. So that's a whopping £2.49 to add to the budget. was trying for a NSD today as did our big shop yesterday but can't be mad as they were bargains and will be the basis of 4 evening meals :T.
Today will be the first of many NSD's though ( I hope ) as we have our lunches in to take to work and we're having Chorizo, Goats Cheese and Parsley Frittata with salad for dinner.

Now what to do with the Haddock...must get my thinking cap on and change menu-plan slightly.