January 2012 Grocery Challenge

savingforoz

Think that's all my January shopping done, so I'm declaring £53.06 as my January total - nicely under budget :j

As February is a short month, and I have no income at present, I'm going to aim for £40 for that month.

Ninno820

savingforoz wrote: »

Think that's all my January shopping done, so I'm declaring £53.06 as my January total - nicely under budget :j

As February is a short month, and I have no income at present, I'm going to aim for £40 for that month.

Wow - Well done!

jencolescott

Aw can I join this thread please. Grocery shopping is by far my biggest expense and 2 fussy eaters in this house doesnt help that. Going to go with £200 for Feb and see how I get on with that.

mrsspoon_2

Not officially on GC yet, just scrimping through to end of month on as little as possible, but just had to report I popped into my local Mr S and they had 4 frozen Y**ngs salmon fillets for £1 - so I got 10!! I think it was a computer glitch myself as there was no special offer sticker, but might be worth checking out at your local stores just incase!

blackandwhitebunny

Finally reporting in:o
I had a few spends last week but all YS items, £5.18 on reduced burgers and sausages in mr S on Tues and then £5 on three poussins and two packets of four pork fillet medallions on Wednesday and £1.00 on five packets of reduced cranberry and orange toasters. (we love these but I have never paid full price, they're normally 89p for two which is a huge price.
Today we have done £9 for fruit and veg, £2.78 for cheese and £15 in Mr S but this included a large chunk of reduced salami - nearly a kg for £7 something. I've split this in two and will give 1/2 to my neighbour. It also included two bottles of harpic for MIL so another £1.96 coming back our way. I also spent £15 after vouchers, £21 before in tesco's as I had some ssm vouchers to use. Again about half will find its way to MIL.
So £58.96 in all this week but at least ten will come back. So I'm a little over budget but not nearly as bad as I've been previously.:o

AlwaysHappy

My January has ended as I got paid on the 20th so I would like to declare at £271.02 for the month - can you put me down for £282 for February thanks. This thread is such an inspiration to me. I have joined the grocery challenge in the past and then given up or not read the posts etc but this year is different - I have put my budget on a spreadsheet, read the posts avidly and am getting a real thrill from attempting to retrain myself and take control of the food budget rather than it being out of control. 12 months ago I wouldn't have known how much a tin of beans cost - it would have just got thrown in the trolley but I am pleased to say that is no longer the case - in some circles I could be perceived as becoming a bit of a saddo but I know you good folks on here won't judge me as one!!!

tracey12_2

linz4383 wrote: »

i no this isnt GC related BUT!! i needed to share with everyone just rang about this warm winter scheme ( i never really new anything about it but saw somewhere if you have achild under 5 n low income you may get it) so anyway ive just rang up and have been told ill get it so between now and march ill have a nice £120 credited to my account also had my water bill this month (on meter) so £60 to be credited back there and should have a lower direct debit

Thanks so much for this, it seems that I may be entitled to it as well and had no idea :T

Ninno820 wrote: »

Finally I pooped in Mr T for some kenco decaf which is on offer and is he only coffee that I drink. I had £6.50 in vouchers and picked up 4 jars - along with some ys diet coke and ys large beef yorkshire pudding for tea. The visit cost me £16.29

Oh dear, I hope you meant popped :eek::rotfl:

Tracey

Spiggle

Afternoon All,:wave:

Welcome to all the newbies joining us :hello: and well done to those of you who have finished your January challenge. :T Some amazing savings and even if you have gone over budget think what you would have spent without watching! Brilliant stuff, keep up the great work. :j

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

I'm not sure how many are Norfolk, Suffolk or Essex based but TMH

Not including alcohol and sweets or chocolate the leaflet lists:

BOGOFs
Special K cereal Bars (5)
Shreddies 500g
Ocean Spray Cranberry 1L
Coke/Diet 6x330ml
Buxton Water 1.5L
Twinings Everyday Tea bags 80
Co-op garden peas 454g
Oxo 12
Ice-cream - truly irresistible 500ml
Ambrosia creamed rice pudding/Devon custard
Walkers crisps mixed 12 packs
Lucozade 1L
Penguin biscuits (9pk)
Danepak Bacon
Richmond Sausages 12 skinless
British Ham 100g
Pilgrims choice cheese 400g

Half Price
Loin Pork Joint £4.89/kilo
Kitchen paper - thirst pocket twin packs (£1.07)
Persil small & mighty 1L (£3.34)
Comfort concentrated 1.5L (£1.78)
CIF/lemon power cream bathroom spray 750ml (£1.68)
Seedless grapes 400g £2
Mandarins 700g £1.35
Swede (wrapped) 55p
Parsnips 500g 55p

Other Offers
Young's Admiral's Pie/Mariner's Pie £1
Bird's Eye original burgers/chicken burgers 4pk £1
Fairy Dishwasher Pouches 51s £5
Sun-pat p-Nut Butter smooth/cruchy 340g £1.65 (third off)
Hula Hoops 7pk £1
Medium Pork Pie £1
Muller Light/Rice 4 for £2
Hot cross Buns 2x6 for £1.50

Well, how interesting Suffolk Lass. :think: I have my leaflet here for the Coop (same time frame) and you have some offers not listed on mine such as the oxo, walkers crisps (mine has BOGOF Pringles though), bacon, sausage (were on last leaflet), veg, fruit, ham and cheese to note the main ones.

Mine has hobnobs, cup a soups, el paso fajitas/enchiladas, branston, grossman sauces and a variety of shower gel, mouthwash, shampoo, right guard and impulse all on bogof.

Other offers have packs of 9 Coop loo roll buy 2 for £5.50, Nescafe Gold Blend 200g for £5, 2 x four pack Heinz beans for £3.

What is fascinating though is the difference in prices for the half price offers. On my leaflet the Persil is only £3.19, the kitchen paper only 99p and the comfort only £1.76. Seems to indicate that there is regional pricing on what are nationwide products. Hmmm. :think: I wonder if there is similar discrepancy in the prices on the BOGOF products too.

mrsspoon wrote: »

... Also, which forum is best to post just for a bit of support? I have worked out we're likely to be in this situation for a very long time to come, I have no support at home as my husband is burying his head in the sand and as nearly everything is in his name I can't do anything! I just want a friendly ear!

Welcome mrsspoon, I've said since I joined here in March 2010 there is no more supportive thread on the forum than the GC. :A Everyone is helpful, innovative, inspiring, caring and canny. :T So, in essence, you've come to the right place. :cool:

I wish you all the very best with your challenge and look forward to reading how you get on. Oh, and remember ask as many questions as you need to, someone on here will be able to help. And if it's all getting a bit much, we're here to support each other, without any judgement, it's not a competition, just here to support. I hope you find this thread as great as I have done.

OH got a few bits in yesterday but I need to update the spreadsheet so will update my sig in a little while.

Have a great weekend everyone,
Spigs

Florenceem

rosieben wrote: »

if you got to the google doc, click on File (top left hand) and select 'Download as' - if you have any more probs with it, post again

eta - I downloaded it as excel and it works fine, thanks again kerri :T

Thanks - I have it now - had to call the cavalry - aka - Mr F!

Long_tall_sally

Got my coke plus some fruit and veg & g/f biscuits so another £12 added.