February 2007 Grocery Challenge

kiwi88_2

Casperthefriendlyghost wrote:

Hi everyone
Thanx for all the encouragement, had a NSD today and am so pleased because tomorrow I do not need to buy anything and I am going away for the weekend so will not be buying any groceries over the weekend.
That means that my total spend for this week on groceries is £1.15 actual cash but not sure if it's cheating that I used a £10.00 voucher for the rest. Does it? What do you guys think? If not that means a spend of £1.15 for the week. Am planning to use the money that I do not spend towards buying Sainsbury's £1.00 stamps and then using those stamps at a later stage when I am struggling to stick to my grocery budget, of for xmas time. What do you think? Or should I put it in a pot for paying of debts? or treats? Not sure really. Thanx for all your friendly and helpful input.
CTFG
x x x

Hi Casper

Well done you're not cheating at all and very sensible use of your money :T Everyone's different and there are no rules except one, which is to reduce your food bill :rotfl: I would probably buy the stamps and use them later same as you

I haven't had to spend anything either this week as I've still got everything planned and bought but will need milk later this week and poss bread. Umm will just check freezer hold on.....nope don't need bread so just milk :rotfl:

fmhm

LJM wrote:

i use soda crystals half washing powder half soda crystals in my washing machine ....

Does that make it a quarter?

(just kidding....)

I'm new here - on this post anyhow...
Just thought I'd give a little natter about my grocery challenge.

My hubby and I used to go to tescos about 3 times a month, and most times ended up spending about 20 - 30 quid each time! (happens when you only go out for bread!!) We spent another 20 on meat (from a local butcher).

I decided to start this grocery challenge for ourselves, because we're quite young (both under 25) and just started our own business last summer(so cashflow is a little tight). I put aside £130 for each month...and if you read my sig the rest of the story is in there. I dont want to reduce the budget each month, as it's still the beginning.

It's going really well so far, and we're not skimping at all. We're just not wasting. There's faaaar less food going in the bin green and furry now, and we're also swapping crisps and biccies for fruit and veg!!

So thank you to MSE and all you MSEr's for improving our lives!! :T

lil_me

http://www.soda-crystals.co.uk/ soda crystals (I get the one in the white and blue packet, can get in Tescos and many other places. Usually near conditioner/stain removers etc

Well bang goes another £50 just updated sig but got some things which will last for ages like a massive tub of lentils, loads of cartons of passata etc

Casperthefriendlyghost

Hi everyone

Have come to end of my first week in February 2007 and have spent a total of £ 3.65 on groceries this week. So will be putting £ 6.00 on my Sainsbury's voucher card. Hope next week goes as well. Have a good weekend everyone.
Thanx.
CTFG
x x x

lotte123

EagerLearner wrote:

Hi all,
Any ideas for cheap but healthy sandwich fillings that don't involve cheese? :T

I bought a 6 tin pack of tuna in Asda last night on special at £3. I use that in my daughter's lunch with cucumber. Another favourite of hers is homemade humous with grated carrot in wholemeal pitta. I have also started making a huge tub of pasta salad and sending her to school with some of that each day. Cuts down on prep time over the week and is really cheap and tasty.

BTW your menu sounds AMAZING! And a great idea about the rice - I think I will use that one - thanks!

millionaire_in_training

I feel as though I have tried really hard this month but I only have £11.53 left until the end of the month. Need to give myself a mental kick up the bum and get organised. I bought food in marks today for gawds sakes. I cant afford to do that!!!!! Have a wee hangover so I will excuse this lapse for the now. I am going to continue to try and I will do a meal plan tomorrow and try not to buy anything but essentials for rest of month. I might have to adjust my budget though as I am getting my knickers in a twist over this and I could stretch the budget a bit and cut myself some slack. Would take a bit longer to get out of debt though. Never mind.............. onward and upwards. xx

AMMONITE_2

AMMONITE wrote:

hi has anyone got any tips for cleaning grout in tiles above the cooker?
i have today bought viniger sratdrops zolflora ect not sure what i'm doing with it all but am currently de scaling the kettle smells like a chip shop in the kitchen

thanks for all the great advise re cleaning products. went to buy all my "stuff" yesterday in wilkensons was looking for a spray bottle ,and found a spray bottle of white vinigar 500ml for 99p that might be expensive compared to bottles( not sure) but killed two birds with one stone.:rotfl: :rotfl:

kiwi88_2

millionaire_in_training wrote:

I am going to continue to try and I will do a meal plan tomorrow and try not to buy anything but essentials for rest of month. I might have to adjust my budget though as I am getting my knickers in a twist over this and I could stretch the budget a bit and cut myself some slack. Would take a bit longer to get out of debt though. Never mind.............. onward and upwards. xx

Hi Millionaire

Have you been to the menu section on this site? There is some great advice and some great cheap meal recipes. Here's the link as it might help in your menu plan to add one cheap meal a week.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=346932

If that doesn't work maybe you could stretch the budget a little at a time to find you're comfort level. After all any saving is a good saving so don't forget to pat yourself on the back for taking the first steps :T

brummiebabe

This month is NOT going well!!!!! Spent £65.73 in Tesco!! Can't see me sticking to my budget this month......will try though!!

millionaire_in_training

Thanks Kiwi I will have a look at this and see. Was thinking about it last night and just need to be more organised to be honest.

Brummiebabe..meet your pal lol I am never going to manage mine unless I stopus eating for the next fortnight. Oh well it is still about half what i used to spend.xx