December 2011 - Grocery Challenge

Ches

So in that case the HD I had on the 26th was for the 1st week of the challenge even though I paid for it in Nov. So my 4 weeks does finish on the 22nd - I think.

angelatgraceland

Had a frustrating day as I went out to post my cards and buy some fresh yeast, only to find that the shop no longer sells it. I couldnt hand deliver 2 of my cards after driving 2 miles to do so because of major roadworks so now have to post them-Aaaaaaaargh!
DD cooked a lovely meal of noodles and chicken tonight in a s/s sauce so I didnt need to cook and she made a lovely cake last night so we aren't going hungry. I printed off an I.O.U. from this site for DD as I will be buying her tyres for her car after Christmas!

Ches wrote: »

Think I have got myself in a bit of a muddle. I started the challenge on the 25 November but I said in my first post that although there are 5 paydays for me in Dec I am setting a total of £200 (approx £50 per week) as the last week will be covered by leftovers from Christmas. Am I right in thinking my challenge will finish on the 22nd Dec as I started on the 25th Nov? If it does I will have 2 weeks money still to come in December (23rd and 30th) to see us over the Christmas period and into January. But would the money on the 30th count as Dec money or Jan money. Hope this makes sense to you because it has totally confused me.

Normally the money for an HD comes out on the day it is delivered but if you started your challenge on 22nd and it was delivered 26th they yes-you are correct.Npw if the two weeks you have "still to come in December" are not in Decembers budget then they will be in Januarys. I do feel that for you, it would be easiest to simply work your budget by calendar month and regardless of paydays just work it Satorday to Saturday or suchlike as I can see your dilemma and I think you may up spending more than intended otherwise!

freakyogre

80p spent in local health food shop on dried oregano and garlic granules.

I did 'spend' £2 in Boots, however, I used a giftcard so won't include that.

Ches

I can't work calendar months as I get my housekeeping from OH each week. If I finish the challenge on the 22nd. Use the money I get on the 23rd for the extra Christmas food and the money I get on the 30th as the 1st week of January I think I will be satisfied with that. Phew.

Sue14

Since my last post I have spent £74.09, between A1d1, Wilkos, Mr A's, Mr M's, HB, Iceland, £1 and 99p shops. I also spent £1.48 in Mr S yesterday, on a pack of 4 tins of baked beans, but when I got them home and took the outer wrapping off, I found that all the tins were rusty and battered, so I took them back today on my way to Mr M's and was given a refund and a free replacement pack, so I don't have to count that!

MissOrganised1972

Hi all. I am couple of days behind on the post but am going to go to bed in a minute to try & catch up. However, I, personally, am going to dip out of the December challenge. We received notification the other day of a nice (not so little) tax rebate (woohoo)! So, I am going to use £200 of that to stock up on essentials & the more expensive items I have in my weekly shop like meat, wine, household products, toiletries etc. I am quite excited & rather chuffed - obviously.

I think I was doing rather well with my December budget (for the first time since I started) but this big stock up will set me up with a fantastic 'store cupboard' ready for the new year. I also think this will help me start the new year with a boost because my budgets should be easier to stick to with this huge stock.

We go out a lot over the Christmas & New Year period for meals & to peoples houses & so tend not to have to cook much over that period. Even if we're in, after the huge meals we've eaten on previous days & the copious amounts of chocolate & biscuits we eat, we might only have light teas or snacks. I have £22 of Morrisons stamps which I had intended to use for purchasing these little treats for that time (things like pat! cheeses, salad, dips, etc) & so I may still go and do this shop because I had really been looking forward to it.

I will continue to read the thread & I will be including myself again from January.

I wish you all luck with the rest of December & hope you all come in on budget or below

Sally xx

dannie

Good morning all,

The ebay order arrived (christmas period purchases) and also more milk and items for hot drinks have been purchased. This means I have spent over 50% of my set budget for December but I consider it is still possible to achieve.

mooomin

Declaring for December at £201.35/£200 :rotfl: I was so close!! If I had just bought bread yesterday as planned I wouldn't have gone over, but they had just done the final reductions and there was bacon for 49p

rosieben

that's good news SallyHat, I love having a full store cupboard

Have to collect a couple of bits from the butcher today, and one small delivery from sainsbug next week then I'm done with shopping for this year, what a lovely thought!

good luck with the last half of the GC everyone

flying_fresian - bacon for 49p! :T

meg72

flying_fresian - bacon for 40p!

Well done you.

Another £8 to add for me.Loads of mega whoopsies last night in Asda.Freezer is bursting again.
Have enough veg tol see me through Jan.Was particularly pleased with packs of Asparagus for 20p