January 2012 Grocery Challenge

Cool_Nanna

Hello everyone, this is my first post, please be gentle with me.
I have been getting Martins weekly emails for quite a while now but didn't know this forum existed until I googled slow cooker recipies and found myself here.
I have been lurking around this thread for a couple of weeks and today I decided to take the plunge and register on the forum.

To all of you out there who are struggling with debt I would just like to tell you that around 20 years ago when our children were small we got into debt but with the help of the citizens advice and hard work from us we manged to clear our debts and now live comfortably. We are not rich by any means but we usually get a couple of holidays a year. All the things I learned while we were struggling still stand us in good stead even now.
My DH isn't as careful with money as I am but luckily I hold the purse strings in our house, but sometimes I have to listen to him when he says we can treat ourselves to the occasional take away or night out, I am so scared of getting back into debt that I forget we can afford to do these things.

We have recently come out of a very cheap mortgage deal so money is a little tighter and the only thing I can think of to save money is to cut our food bill down by as much as possible which is why I have been hovering round here picking up hints. I thought I was pretty good when out food shopping but I realise I have so much to learn. I have budgeted for £300 a month for me and DH, but I usually end up feeding one of our children and their families a couple of days a week. I have always written down everything that I spend but have never really set a food budget.
Even though I only started the GC challenge a couple of weeks ago I can't believe the difference it has made to the way I do my food shopping.

Tonight our children and families are coming to us for a take away night and normally I would buy some cakes and biscuits for everyone but I have made some instead.

I have £6 left until Friday. I normally pay for everything using my MrT credit card, I always pay it off in full every month, to try and get as many club card points as possible then use my vouchers to pay for Christmas presents for my Grandchildren. What I am going to do this week is put £6 in a small purse and only take that out with me when I go shopping.

Anyway enough rambling from me but I would just like to say thankyou to everyone for all your ideas.

Ninno820

tracey12 wrote: »

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

Tracey

Yes - that could have been quite embarassing!;)

Ninno820

Cool_Nanna wrote: »

Hello everyone, this is my first post, please be gentle with me.
I have been getting Martins weekly emails for quite a while now but didn't know this forum existed until I googled slow cooker recipies and found myself here.
I have been lurking around this thread for a couple of weeks and today I decided to take the plunge and register on the forum.

To all of you out there who are struggling with debt I would just like to tell you that around 20 years ago when our children were small we got into debt but with the help of the citizens advice and hard work from us we manged to clear our debts and now live comfortably. We are not rich by any means but we usually get a couple of holidays a year. All the things I learned while we were struggling still stand us in good stead even now.
My DH isn't as careful with money as I am but luckily I hold the purse strings in our house, but sometimes I have to listen to him when he says we can treat ourselves to the occasional take away or night out, I am so scared of getting back into debt that I forget we can afford to do these things.

We have recently come out of a very cheap mortgage deal so money is a little tighter and the only thing I can think of to save money is to cut our food bill down by as much as possible which is why I have been hovering round here picking up hints. I thought I was pretty good when out food shopping but I realise I have so much to learn. I have budgeted for £300 a month for me and DH, but I usually end up feeding one of our children and their families a couple of days a week. I have always written down everything that I spend but have never really set a food budget.
Even though I only started the GC challenge a couple of weeks ago I can't believe the difference it has made to the way I do my food shopping.

Tonight our children and families are coming to us for a take away night and normally I would buy some cakes and biscuits for everyone but I have made some instead.

I have £6 left until Friday. I normally pay for everything using my MrT credit card, I always pay it off in full every month, to try and get as many club card points as possible then use my vouchers to pay for Christmas presents for my Grandchildren. What I am going to do this week is put £6 in a small purse and only take that out with me when I go shopping.

Anyway enough rambling from me but I would just like to say thankyou to everyone for all your ideas.

Welcome - and don't apologise - this group are keeping me sane!
When I get home from work I pull up a chair and enjoy a read and a coffee. Its keeping me focussed on the task.

stardrops42

Oh dear I've gone over my budget but I did try my bestest, honest:o;). I've spent another £27.85 today which brings my total to £252.46 which is an over spend of £12.46:eek: Well it was my first month and I've still managed to reduce my grocery bill by more than half. I definitely won't be buying anything else before pay day on Wednesday :A

Can I declare £250 for Feb please, I think Jans target of £240 was a tad optimistic;)

rising_from_the_ashes

Welcome to Jencolescott and Cool Nanna

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!

The Debt Free Wannabe Board is also really friendly and have loads of supportive people on and some great challenges on there too.:)

WelshWoofer wrote: »

Just back from Mr T spending a £6 off £40 voucher they gave me last week - they have an instore offer on now too, spend £40 and get £5 off £40 next week. Are they a little bit concerned about the recent bad publicity?

mmmmm well their price cuts certainly didn't work - I rarely shop there as it's just so bloomin' expensive compared to everywhere else (great example is Ariel Gel = £8.17, only £6.79 in Mr A and £7.10 in the Co*op - which I'd always assumed was the most expensive when stuff wasn't on offer.

I hate when they do offers like that - I don't need to spend £40 / week and I just ended up using them every week and overspending loads and buying stuff I really don't need.

I do sometimes use the odd one to stock up but think I'm managing to get that a bit more under control now!

Coxy11

Hi everyone and welcome to all the newbies. This thread is VERY addictive

Small spend today in MrT as DS1 and his teen friends used up all the bread at lunchtime

Totals now updated. My month runs until 23rd and I have dinner for tonight (plus steamed syrup sponge cooking nomnomnom) and a roast planned for tomorrow. Packed lunches will need to be sandwiches instead of baps on Monday as I don't have any in and I want to stay out of the shops tomorrow.

Need to think about a budget for Feb. Both DS's have birthdays so that will mean a birthday tea or a meal out, plus cakes. I'm running a 2nd purse (only started this week) so need to plan what I need for that too.

Have a great evening everyone

Suffolk_lass

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

I rarely shop there as it's just so bloomin' expensive compared to everywhere else (great example is Ariel Gel = £8.17, only £6.79 in Mr A and £7.10 in the Co*op - which I'd always assumed was the most expensive when stuff wasn't on offer.

Ariel Gel is on offer in Waitflower at the moment for £5 for the big pack (£4.79 for the small one!!).

Ess-six

Hi folks

I seem to be toddling along nicely with this challenge, it feels good to be back planning meals and knowing what is for tea each night instead of staring desperately into fridge/freezer/cupboards for inspiration.

I was round the supermarket in record time as I knew exactly what I wanted too instead of doing the zombie shuffle up and down the isles spending loads and still having nothing to eat :eek:

I've spent this afternoon bringing my spreadsheet up to date and have just joined Kerri's second purse challenge.

Just updated my signature, £160-ish spent out of a £250 budget, so all's well, I should be able to drop it down a fair bit next month.

Have a great weekend everyone

SueP19

Ninno820 wrote: »

Welcome - and don't apologise - this group are keeping me sane!
When I get home from work I pull up a chair and enjoy a read and a coffee. Its keeping me focussed on the task.

Welcome Cool Nanna as Ninno says, we all keep each other sane and focused

stardrops42 wrote: »

Oh dear I've gone over my budget but I did try my bestest, honest:o;). I've spent another £27.85 today which brings my total to £252.46 which is an over spend of £12.46:eek: Well it was my first month and I've still managed to reduce my grocery bill by more than half. I definitely won't be buying anything else before pay day on Wednesday :A

Oh well done stardrop that's brilliant :j:j:j:j to cut it by half is amazing

Suffolk_lass

Not GC but the car is back - it was £1270. They waived the credit card fee (2% - do they think they are Ryanair?) and reimbursed us for the fuel that went in the courtesy one they lent us last night when it wasn't finished. It's got its first MOT in four months but of course it gets hammered for mileage. Quite a shock as had allowed £450. :eek::eek: Mercifully it went on the 0% cc so I've got 3 months (left) to spread it out over before that runs out.

Went a bit mad in the SM today but picked up seville oranges for marmalade and many meat items I have managed to squeeze into freezer. Tetris - perfect description. Had to remove things from plastic and re-package in bags to get everything in and will be stewing/jam making with damsons that simply would not fit. Metaphorically expanded 2nd purse to pay for some of those purchases. Looking OK for the target so long as nothing else happens...:)

Update on latest bread-making - tried the Dom God's recommendation of using the water the potatoes are boiled in and it really seems to work - stays fresher longer. Small collection of 330ml mineral water bottles containing potato water lurking about the house now... waiting for room in the Fzr (no chance) :rotfl:.

Well done everyone, I don't know how you do it but it is amazing.