January 2012 Grocery Challenge

HappyNow

Hi, spent £11.89 yesterday on essentials during my first ever trip to Aldi and Home Bargains. I can't believe I've missed out on those shops all my life, they're brilliant! No spend day today and tomorrow will be the same. Looking good for my target so far!

rising_from_the_ashes

Save_Dosh wrote: »

I buy all toiletries, cleaning stuff, toothpaste, toothbrush out of grocery budget, but something like an electric one, would come out of a general budget, but thats just my way, hth

PennyGrabber wrote: »

Rising, I wouldn't include it in my grocery spends, as it's not something that will run out, IYSWIM. I might include the replacement bits, but I wouldn't count the actual toothbrush itself. I see my budget as a consumables thing, and you won't need to replace the toothbrush, just the heads.

Thanks both:T I've taken the replacement heads out of this budget but have put the actual toothbrush into my "anything else" budget - meaning both will probably be overspent this month:o but looking at it from a long term investment point of view:)

Sorry I've forgotten who mentioned getting the replacement heads on E*bay (ran out of multi-quotes!) so thanks for that too!:)

HappyNow wrote: »

Hi, spent £11.89 yesterday on essentials during my first ever trip to Aldi and Home Bargains. I can't believe I've missed out on those shops all my life, they're brilliant!

Ohhhh they are....:) HB is one of my favourites .... just wish it was a bit closer (or maybe not as I'd probably spend even more than I do now:rotfl:)

NSD today (thank goodness) ..... trying to eeeeekkkkk the milk out until the weekend as really don't need anything else and I'm not driving 18 miles just for milk!:eek:

albacookie

Hello all. 2 more spends - £14.52 and £12.98 - off to find my last post so I can work out my total spend.

eta - total so far £57.03

mummyyof5

Didnt get to Home Bargains today...OH was off and took me, mum and our little GD for a car ride to Buxton...its not too far away but we went the scenic route....was hoping for a NSD but now have to go to MrTs for milk...will keep an eye out for any whoopsies...cant get anything in the freezer so cant go mad lol xx

Have only flicked through thread so sorry for not remembering names but did notice people having a rough time so please help yourselves to a hug if you need one x

angelatgraceland

needtosavE wrote: »

I need help!! Done our weekly shopping last night and we now have around £8 left until payday on the 27th. We only normally shop on a sunday so just really the shop on the 22nd to go. The thing is there is a really good deal on heinz tomato soup at morrisons. 4 tins for £1.59!! That is like the best deal ever. If i buy these then I will go over budget as we defo will need bread, milk and some fruit and veg.

What would you guys do in this situation, would you go over budget in order to buy up a really good offer?? I can afford to buy it but am trying to be strict with my budget to avoid going nuts like i used to do!

I'd allow an extra fiver on my budget(restrictive)and buy up 12 tins!:D

PaddyPaws wrote: »

Just a quick update, nipped into c0stc0 as "my" coffee is on offer at the moment. Got two drums of the coffee, a couple of packs of the oatso simple as that's on offer so works out cheaper than A!di's own version (and DH definitely prefers the 'named brand' on this one, although he eats the A!di one usually). And picked up 5kg jar of basmati rice as we're getting a bit low and at £5.99 for 5kg I think the only way to get it cheaper was to buy a 10kg sack (difficult to store) or 5kg of Mr T value basmati which we didn't like

total spend £37.71 which takes me to £167.62 / £250 so far for the month. 54% of the month and I've spent 67% of the budget.

PP

Some of the cheaper type of oats so simple-replicas-add other "stuff" to the oats such as soya and this spoils it. That is why we also like the "original" one! Check the ingredients on the others-you may be surprised-they are adding some cheaper thickening ingredients which cook fast I suspect!:eek:

flyingmamma

This is the first time I have ever tried to stick to a budget and I have to say its not easy. Coming to the end of my paid maternity leave so things gonna be tough for the next 3 months. Did an online shop today hope this will see us through til the end of the month. Taken great inspiration from the baking threads ...big thanks...my family are having to endure my rock hard scones and brick like traybakes but so far no broken teeth so its all good! Got £10 worth of xmas cards and wrap for next year for £1 from Mr S! Good luck for the rest of the month everyone!

LondonDreamer

Hi all, I'm behind on the thread because I've been ill. Hope everyone is doing well!

Attempted to go to work today but the office manager sent me home. Bought some juice and whoopsied yum yums as a treat, so £1.49 to add to the budget. Flatmate did some shopping yesterday, didn't keep the receipt. Just milk and bananas though, so I'm going to add £2 to cover it.

Quite pleased with myself for taking leftovers for lunch today. Used to buy it every day (on a meal deal, but still :eek:) but lately have been making a sandwich or wrap the night before. Had some chicken strips and potato salad left from last night, made a quick green salad to go with it from things we already had in the fridge. Delicious!

happycrafter_2

£157/£250 spent so far from budget, just a butchers shop now and then bread, milk fresh fruit and veg when necessary.

ModestyB

Evening all, today I spent the grand sum of 87p on a loaf of bread from the local shop. It's 17p more than I usually pay for the same loaf but if I'd gone to Mr S for it, I'd have spent a lot more.

Hugs to all who need one.

adysmum

Was looking for the costco offers that someone posted. Can anyone help me?