February 2007 Grocery Challenge

Pink.

AUNTMAGPIE wrote:

I don't know if I dare join this, we have 10 cats as well as ourselves! I shall think about it.

Hi Auntmagpie,

Welcome to MSE and in particular to the Old Style board. Please do join in if you feel you want to.

The grocery challenge is a personal thing, it's all about cutting back on your current spending and no one here is going to judge you on what you (and your cats) need/want/like to spend.

Come and join us, it feels good at the end of the month if you've saved a little bit.

Pink

Penny-Pincher!!

Am off to Waitrose with my £21 worth of coupons tomorrow. Have made a list of what I want from there and the market and OH is going to make a list of whats in the big freezer outside. I dont really need anything but some of the vouchers need using up, so think I may stock up on a couple of chickens, frozen veg etc etc, which will last and not go off. We have also run out of fresh fruit, so DD had to take raisins in with her today:rolleyes:

PP
xx

Emmzi

I'm in for this month please Have full cupboards so going for £50 for just me, plus occasional meals for visiting b/f and any really cheap meat bargains i see for him in the discount shelf (I'm veggie!)

Our local Lidl do giveaways near close of business of anything to be sold that day, which I can usually freeze, so that may help.

millionaire_in_training

Set myself a budget last month of £200.This was to include food, petrol and incidenatls. Totally blew it:o . Spent £280 plus. Was my first month so had no clue to be honest just knew I was spending too much. This month I have sat and worked out my budget for the year and am allowing myself £200 for food, £20 for eating out (mcdonalds once per month for kids as huge treat) and £50 for petrol. This should allow me a bit of breathing space and I will be delighted if I come in on budget. I am sure I could do this on less but I want us to have a bit of a life. Will take me a bit longer to sort myself out but I think it's worth it. Did a massive online shop today BUT have hidden lots of food so kids wont finish it in a week lol. Should have enough basics for the month. Just need meat, veg and fruit. Ok here goes folks GL all xx

ashleyfae

I had a huge arguement with my partner last night as I have asked him for £40 per week for his half of the shopping. He said £80 a week (£320) on groceries was absolutely obscene. I have just been reading some of your meaasages and wonder if I should have a go at reducing it. I did say that this includes birthday presents throughout the year for friends kids!
There are 2 adults and 2 kids ( 5 and 3 yrs) in our house. What do you think.

Also I read somewhere about a food planner...has anyone got a copy they can post?

vixtress

im going to go for £260 for the month, scarily i have aready spent £137 of that :eek: :eek: :eek:

its not as bad as it sounds though, i spent £113 at asda but did the biggest shop i have ever done, the storecupbards and freezer are bursting and i am planning meals with leftovers to take to work for lunches.

the extra £24 i spent was when a friend introduced me to lidl, i am sooooo impressed, much better than aldi!!

if i am strict all i should need over next 4 weeks should be fruit, veg and odd bits like nappies, yoghurts etc

budget includes toiletries, cleaning etc, the only thing i am not including is dd's rather expensive soya milk, i have budgeted for that seperately as i dont tend to get i with the groceries (dont sell it many places)

GOOD LUCK

AUNTMAGPIE

Wjere did you get the Waitrose coupons? Would Ocado take them?

I have a delivery from Ocado or Sainsbury's each week, and a rather over-full freezer. I think it would mean changing lots of things, but I'm willing to give it a go. I shall be faced with retirement soonish, so need to get back into habits of penny pinching because my state pension would just about pay for electricity and council tax with 2.5p left for food.

southern_chick

This is my first monthly challenge so hopefully i have budgeted Ok, i've got £110 for me and 6 yr old. i went to the bank today and drew out my "grocery" money for the month and have put it all in seperate envelopes with the weeks date on so when i go shopping i will have to make sure i stick to budget as that is all the cash i'll have on me!! Wish me luck i'd hate to have to put things back at the till :rotfl: good luck to everyone:D

Tracey04

this is the first month that I'm going to do these challenges. Really have no idea how much it would cost for myself, 2 children and boyfriend once a week for something abit more special than mince and potatoes. Used to do it on £200 but want to get this figure right down. Whats the best way to do it. Thanks

ShirleyPark_2

Just did the next 2 weeks grocery shopping. Stuck to the list (almost) they didn't have one thing, plus got 2 loaves of bread for 16p and 18p which weren't on the list but can go in the freezer. Total spend was 35.44, so that leaves 44.56 for the rest of the month.