February 2007 Grocery Challenge

Anwen_2

Hrm, looks like I will have to go to the supermarket tomorrow for cat food and cat litter, plus possibly a box of cereal and a loaf of bread. Still, at least I get to play with my new trolley which I bought on Sunday for the farmers' market!

Justamum

I've tried the meal planning in the past, but now I'm going to really make it work. Apart from anything else it makes for less hassle when it gets to 4 o'clock and I STILL don't know what to cook, and there's really nothing in anyway. Now I shop once a week, and when the money's gone, it's gone!

I don't use a basket though as I wouldn't be able to fit in everything for a family of 5, but I do use the shallow trolleys rather than the deep ones.

Casperthefriendlyghost

Hi everyone

Have been lurking on this board since last November and would like to join please. As it's already into this month I will start today and have posted my weeks in my signature. Thanx so much to everyone. Will allocate £10.00 a week for my groceries as I have so much food in my cupboards and freezer that I'll be using them up for quite some time yet. Have also joined the store cupboard challenge.

Thanx
CTFG
x x x x

shoe1206

Oh great, count me in. I did well in January and came in under £200, so will go for £160 this month - although I have got off to a bad start as we had guests this weekend. I'll just have to make up for the next 3 weeks.

EagerLearner

Welcome CTFG! Better late than never and you never know - could make a huge difference. Just remember to save whatever you are able to as a result, or buy something so you can 'see' the savings...

artichoke

hi all

i am new to this but determined to succeed but i have just had a shock as
i have just updated our spreadsheet of what we spent on groceries in january. I had guessed at about £200 a month on groceries as we had a full freezer in january and tried to eat out of freezer only buying fresh milk, bread fruit veg at the supermarket. BUT our grocery spend was £350

this did include DH spending £150 in costo and so i need to examine that receipt carefully to see what he bought. DH likes costco as he likes the best brands - but i need to check if the value brands in tesco are cheaper - i bet they are but i need to prove it to him.

I have examined all our supermarket receipts and in january i did not do an online shop as had full freezer and so apart from costco all we bought at our local supermarket (somerfield - so not the cheapest) was bread, milk, fresh veg and fresh fruit, yogurt etc.

My questions are - after you have done a monthly online shop - where do you buy your weekly fresh produce milk, bread, veg fruit etc???

do you think the greengrocer / market would be cheaper than somerfield?

I have 2 toddlers so we eat loads of fresh fruit (and i try to get them to try lots of fresh veg....)

i do have a breadmaker in the garage so need to dig it out - but DH thinks it is more expensive.....

any other suggestions on how to cut back?

i cook everything from scratch - do meal plans and cook in a large slow cooker and freeze extra's already.

DH is on a diet so many of my meals are from Flyladys / Leannes Saving dinner body clutter menu mailers - but i am adapting them and think they are quite economical.

i also need to know what is a realistic target for a family of 2 adults and 2 toddlers eating lots of veg and fruit, don't mind veggie meals, but do eat lots of fruit snacks....plus the kids drink loads of milk / yogurt.

any tips appreciated

and i look forward to learning from you all as i try and follow this in the next few months

art

mustafa_say_ving

Well the month's off to a good start for me ...Just got back from the weekly shop and came in a good few pounds under budget.....mind you there's still pleanty of time for me to balls it all up like last month


Well now off to joins Moggins and all the flybabys on the flylady thread.

shell2001

Hi Artichoke

I was having this converstion with DH the otherday. I do one main tesco online shop per month. In this I get the bulk of what I need (storecupboard items, bread-making items, etc). This usually comes in about £140 (including pull-ups and night nappies for DD2). But then during the week I go to the local greengrocer and buy eggs, fruit and veg and spend at least £20 a week. Meat I get from the market on Friday (local butchers shop is a bit grubby looking for my liking!). I read posts that people are feeding families of 5+ for £30 a week and I think my fruit and veg alone can come in at this.

Since I have been doing the challenges I am more focused but just dont know how people manage to feed a health, balanced diet for so little . I know a lot of people shop at several various shops (but to they include the petrol they use tooing and frowing in their budgets?) I dont drive, work weekends hence the once monthly delivery from Tesco. The local stuff is in walking distance and the only yellowed stickered stuff I have seen in our local somerfield has about 20p off its original price with that days date?

Answers on a post card please:D

BusyGirl

This is week 2 for me and I managed to spend a grand total of £60 in HB, Aldi and Asda. It was quite a big shop and I picked up a few bargains.
I have £80 left for the next 2 weeks and I'm determined to do it again. I have plenty in the freezer and cupboard and will just buy fruit, veg and bread etc.

Justamum

Shell2001 - I am also puzzled at how people can feed a family of 5 on so little - and they include breakfast, lunch and dinner in the equation plus all non-food essentials such as washing powder etc. I haven't a clue how they do it, and know that I couldn't manage on so little.