January 2012 Grocery Challenge

rosieben

tigerfeet, SC Pork, mustard, honey and apple (GF and can be DF) is now in the recipe list :beer:
angelatgraceland, your Scotch eggs are added to the recipe list too :beer:

rosieben

kc26 wrote: »

... Can I ask do you include everything in your total ie grocery shopping as well as the extra teas ect or just what you spend at the supermarket.

its entirely up to you

some people include take outs, meals out, others have separate budget for pet foods, laundry, alcohol etc. Just do it in whatever way suits your circumstances

tigerfeet2006

kc26 wrote: »

Thought I was doing ok until I tallied up that I have spent £109 out for my £300 budget already but that does include me bulk buying my pet food which will last a few months so I suppose not too bad, I actually estimated £300 so it will be interesting to see what I do actually spend in a month and that is me watching what I spend!!

Can I ask do you include everything in your total ie grocery shopping as well as the extra teas ect or just what you spend at the supermarket.

We all have our own things that we include in our budgets. I include all food, toiletries, cleaning products and small household items. I have a seperate budget for take aways/entertainment.

ETA: Definatly on the ball

angelatgraceland

kc26 wrote: »

Thought I was doing ok until I tallied up that I have spent £109 out for my £300 budget already but that does include me bulk buying my pet food which will last a few months so I suppose not too bad, I actually estimated £300 so it will be interesting to see what I do actually spend in a month and that is me watching what I spend!!

Can I ask do you include everything in your total ie grocery shopping as well as the extra teas ect or just what you spend at the supermarket.

If I eat it or drink it I count it! whether you want to add cleaning stuff and toiletries is up to you. I used to have an entertainment budget but I have to be tough on myself this year so scrapped it. Being aware is the most important part, and reducing your spends, regardless of what you choose to include.

Lovebeingathomemum

Well the online shop didn't quite cover it all - spent £17 on nappies, wipes, baby snacks today but was a 1/3 off at sainsbobs so stocked up for the month.

Trying so hard for NSD's but something always seems to pop up, loo roll, washing up liquid etc. things I hate buying but can't live without.

rosieben

tigerfeet2006 wrote: »

... ETA: Definatly on the ball

must be all that coffee I'm drinking

rej-c

I'm still way behind on reading this thread, but thought I'd better check in to help me regain focus - more than half my budget spent, and it's only the 11th.

I'm adding 1 NSD [Monday], £9.57 spent yesterday, and £10.53 spent today. Lots of reasonably reduced whoopsied veg [shame, as we're both doing SW I could've done with spectacular reductions ] and cooked sliced meat for Him Indoors for the freezer.

Oh, and I got a couple of packs of lean bacon for him from Waitro$e yesterday - I'd been looking around for good deals/whoopsies, but in the end it was there, of all places, that I found the best-looking bacon at a regular price I could just about stomach, because it looked so decent. Not sure whether that's something to :T them for, or :eek: against the other supermarkets about!

Anyway, the freezer's now heaving again, mostly topped up with lean meats and about 12 meals' worth of mushrooms; in fact, I've run out of room in there for the whoopsied carrots and leeks, which I'd intended to get cut up and stashed in there tonight. Never mind, they'll last a few days - hopefully we can clear enough space in the freezer by the weekend.

Keep up the good work, everyone. I'm aiming to rack up a few more NSDs over the coming days. Work's going to be hectic, which should help distract me from the shops - no chance of a lunch break walk, for starters...

tigerfeet2006

rosieben wrote: »

must be all that coffee I'm drinking

oooooh!! anything decent? I am scoffing Lindor Truffley Choccy Thingy's.

Gorgeestwo

kc26 wrote: »

Can I ask do you include everything in your total ie grocery shopping as well as the extra teas ect or just what you spend at the supermarket.

I include all food (for us and the pets) cleaning products, toiletries etc, but don't include any meals out or take away's, it might be something I include at a later date, but it has made me really re-think how much we spent on 'just getting a take away' or having the odd lunch out.

My freecycle freezer is all set up and seems to be cooling down nicely, can't wait to start filling it up :j:j:j

katie_j_2

Thanks for your replies! This will be just the incentive we need to keep on track.

Okay then - for Helen - £300 per month please.

We had upped the supermarket shop to £320 in our budget as we now have a second child (all those nappies and wipes again) and have inherited a rabbit but I feel this is a bit much having read all the posts so we have decided to stick to £300, very sensible