December 2011 - Grocery Challenge

PipneyJane

Brassic_Park wrote: »

Thank you for replying! I think OH and I do have similar goals, but he has no comprehension of what it'll take (financially) to get there!

I do feel a bit less desperate now tho, so thanks again

Hun, you really need to have a sit down chat with him at a time when it would not be confrontational. New Year's Day is good for this, so long as neither of you has a hangover. Just ask him what he really wants in life (retire early, a holiday flat in Spain, a Porsche, whatever). Tell him what you really want, too. I'm talking about the big goals. We tend to assume so much about our partners, that they'll know what we really want because they're always beside us but if you don't tell each other then how do you know you're making the right assumptions?

Once you've identified the big goals, show him what your joint monthly budget currently is and then ask how much he thinks you both should save/spend in order to fulfil them. Set dates, monetary amounts, priorities, etc. Just think: he could have had "his" TV months ago, without any of the conflict/guilt, if he'd set a specific savings goal to acquire it. Separate pots for separate goals is good (I use ING for this).

Incidentally, you both need to get onto the same page regarding any money sitting in the bank. Your DH may be thinking "Oh, we have all these savings, why don't we spend it on XXX", while you're busy trying to build a mortgage payment fund to cover the possibility your job could evaporate.

Good luck.

spendaholic

Save_Dosh wrote: »

Same here, Mine is usually the last Thursday in the month, so sometimes thats quite early. I would like to declare £115 for December. . Bit disappointed really, but could have been worse. I am not going to start my January Month 'till 1st and am going to run through to end of month this time.

I'd like to move mine to the 1st of the month too, and run it for the whole month. Quite a few of the challengers cross 2 months but I think it wouuld be easier if it was per calendar month. Could take some shifting, mind.

sistercas

meg72 wrote: »

Sorry love you have lost me, IF A cHRISTMAS SHOP dosent come out of December WHEN does it

as spiggle says some us have saving pots throughout the year , I save a pound a day from january to end of november which gives me around £330 to spend on xmas food and booze which is more than enough - which essentially gives me a 'free week' in december on the food budget :T

I have loads of food left , several portions of turkey in the freezer for meals next year and lots of nibbles left from the party yesterday , so will be eating those today

rej-c

Well, I hope everyone's now recovering from Christmas; I'm back after a few weeks of life getting in the way, and have just been through my receipts since I last checked in here. Since the 12th, I've spent £71.98 and had 7 NSDs.

This means I've busted my £150 budget [by about £20 so far, but will be within £200 by the time the month's out - it could have been far, far worse, and it looks like I'm in good company!], and only have a few more NSDs to go to hit that target. All in all, we've not done badly, and have plenty in stock to set us up for a relatively low-spending January, all being well.

Yesterday I worked out my basic 2012 menu plan, so now it's time to establish a budget - and, after reading the helpful posts on here about talking to your partner to make sure you understand each other in terms of broader finances and spending/saving priorities, I'm going to make sure we have that conversation in the next couple of days too. My thanks to all of you. x

Beccatje

hey all,

I'm joining in the grocery challenge if that's okay. We just had a HUGE unexpected tax bill dumped on us (about 800 euro!) that HAD to be paid this week.
And things were already pretty much on a tight budget anyway.

So now we are officially completely skint. If it wasn't for the kids who are home I'd break down and have a huge cry..

Anyway..

We have to make due with as little spending as possible, so I've come here for some inspiration and hoping that writing thing down will keep things clear in my head.

There is DH and Myself,
a 15 yrs old girl
a 13 yrs old girl
a 7 yrs old girl.

Two cats and a (big) dog.

helen_jelly

Afternoon all

Budgets done to here - gotta fly

Helen x

Rainy-Days

A little late I know but

23rd December shopping Lidl £15.87 and Sainsburys £52.13.

Today - two loaves of bread from M&S £2.70.

There may be a little shop such as milk to get for the end of December but thats about it. I think I am a comfortable inside £200.00 for the declared amount in December. I have a feeling it is knocking on the door of about £180.00 of thereabouts!

tessie_bear

hi...positive vibes to all who are fed up and or skint

meals from a leg of lamb...its nice cooked ala nigella with foil over it and some water...it falls off the bone...leftovers in a shepherds pie...could u cut slices off prior to cooking and eat as a chop...also cubes griddled and served in pittas

i have been out bargain hunting...few bits in the coop lovely bit of beef possibly used for new year

still havent sorted my budget for the new year...need to do that soonest

take care tess ramsey

xxlouisexx56

ooooo i havent been counting for a few days and going shopping with OH sends things crazy! I think ive spent about 100 pounds since Friday and that will take me over budget

rising_from_the_ashes

Evening everyone ..... declaring at £124.16 / £150 for December which I'm quite pleased about (although I had given myself a bit extra with it being Christmas - glad it wasn't all used!:)).

I've got plenty of fresh stuff and a some bread in the freezer so no need to buy more!

Wishing everyone luck with next years' challenges ...... and also health, happiness & success.:D