January 2012 Grocery Challenge

Ches

RFTA I personally would rather save save save against the threat of redundancy. I know it feels safer when you have a stock of food but if it came to it I would rather have the money to put towards rent/utility bills. Food would take second place because we can always eat cheaper and if necessary you could forget most cleaning stuff if the budget doesn't cover. Having said all that fingers crossed it doesn't happen.

tigerfeet2006

Finally went to Costco and joined. Decided to do the membership that gives you cashback (Executive Membership)which cost £66 for the year. DH and I have just put it all in a spreadsheet and then put in figures for MrT, as that is where I do the bulk of my online shopping and......<drumroll please> we have saved a grand total of £165 :T:j:beer: That is taking out the cost of the memership this month.

We have smashed the budget for this month but some of this stuff is going to last months. Some of the best buys were Finish Dishwasher Tablets 2x84 for £20.15. The best MrT. could do was £12.85 for 52 . The Tork Kitchen Roll 400sheetx6 £13.79. The best MrT could do was Blitz Kitchen Roll 100sheet £2.49. Aquafresh Whitening Toothpaste 12x100ml £8.98. The best MrT could do was 100ml tube £2.55

Out of 38 items bought we lost out on 8 of them, where it would have been cheaper in MrT. So not bad all things considering and we already have £5.06 on our reward card :j

Definatly will be going again next month and will be a bit more organised with a proper list etc. I was trying to explain the second purse thing to DH but he doesn't get it and thinks it sounds daft. Will be patient and see if I can maybe do it quietly later.

Will sort out and post the spends for this month in the next day or so.

tigerfeet2006

MissOrganised1972 wrote: »

I know exactly what you mean. In previous months it's been my bed time read but this month it has all moved too fast. If you miss a day, there is just no catching up!

So, based on the above, I am sorry if this question has already been asked and answered but is there a February challenge because I can't seem to find it? Thank you

mumwithamission wrote: »

I'm a newbie to this - I kind of thought it would just become the Feb Challenge, but I hadn't really thought about it - maybe that happens on 1st...? A wiser GC'er will advise I'm sure.

The new thread will go up usually around the 29th. Meanwhile if you have started your Feb. budget then put it on here in big, red numbers and you can carry on posting on this thread until the new thread starts and then move over to the new thread when it is up.

The begining of the year is always very busy as people make resolutions etc. and usually slows down as the year goes on. Though with the way the economy is I have a feeling it will stay quite busy for most of the year. You don't have read every post if you find it too much but please do post about your day and let us know what you have acheived.

Suffolk_lass

Crowdpleaser wrote: »

Yep pouting is fab cod alternative. Much much cheaper and got this lot ys so need to use it up! X

Could put individual fish portion in foil with a dob of butter, salt and pepper (and optional herb like dill, fennel or tarragon) - make the foil into a parcel and you cook for around 15-20 mins. When I open it the skin stays on the foil and I lift out the lovely white fish.

You could also freeze the individual portions in the foil pouches so they are ready to go when you need them (if they haven't already been frozen) or if they have been frozen, you could transfer the cooked fish to a plastic bag and freeze that way (a minute or two in the microwave and they are ready to go). HTH

Suffolk_lass

As predicted I have exceeded my January target of £400 by £26.51 but... I also used nectar points of £80 in the second week and I have spent £99.14 out of second purse (a bit virtual, but it is the bulk buy bargains allocation) so more like £600 in total. I've never done this before and I think that is probably £100 less than normal, looking back (I sadly keep receipts for donkeys years) but it's a really good discipline and I am in awe of some of you.

I am setting my February target at £400 again as it is a shorter month (4 instead of 5 weekends).

Regarding the Feb GC being set up, I did check on Zippychick and her last post was on 9th Jan when she was posting in a break at work as her home computer wasn't working. I PM'd squeaky (one of the other guides for these "Old Style Money Saving" threads) but he is reluctant to intervene for a day or two as it is her space really. He is keeping an eye open and I'm sure he will do it if it doesn't happen by 1st Feb. So I think we carry on posting here.

I don't envy you your set up task Helen Jelly! Well done everyone and all best wishes to those that need it. :A

MissOrganised1972

Thanks Tigerfeet2000, Suffolk Lass & mumwithamission I just wanted to check I hadn't missed it. My new month always starts on the 25th & I usually move over to the new month's thread then. That's fine. I'll keep plodding on in the January one.

Although grocery-wise it should be an NSD, it could be expensive otherwise! DD2 has an early party today. Build-a-Bear then Pizza Hut. DH is off to play golf for the last time before his knee op on Wednesday. I don't very often get to be with JUST DD1 & so have decided whilst we're in Solihull I'll take her to spend her Christmas vouchers & then treat her to lunch. A bit of girly time!

Yesterday just spent £2.73 in Lidl. Pepsi is 89p again! 2 bottles & a pack of 3 tins of sweetcorn (to top last night's HM pizza). Will tot up receipts later. Spent a bit much so far because have set up 2nd purse.

Have a good day all

rising_from_the_ashes

Florenceem wrote: »

MR F thought it was delicious - but then he says that about everything I cook!

Awwwww how lovely - honestly, DM usually ends up tearing her hair out as if she asks DF how something was, she's luckly if she gets a "it's fine"!

Love the pics:D

Ches wrote: »

RFTA I personally would rather save save save against the threat of redundancy. I know it feels safer when you have a stock of food but if it came to it I would rather have the money to put towards rent/utility bills. Food would take second place because we can always eat cheaper and if necessary you could forget most cleaning stuff if the budget doesn't cover. Having said all that fingers crossed it doesn't happen.

Thanks Ches and this was what I wondered. I do have an income protection thing which would hopefully pay out and would cover the mortgage, tv licence, landline, gas & elec and various insurance policies (couldn't afford to do it for all my outgoings as they wanted £65/month - which is a lot!).

It's really food / household stuff that I'm worried about as I'm Lactose and Wheat intolerant (milk = £1.28 / 1 litre and bread around £2.48 / loaf etc) and there's no way to make cuts on these as there aren't alternatives - and would take a lot of any benefits I'd get. I think - for me - to stock on non-perishables is the best option (I'm not intending to "go mad" but if I see a great offer, I think I'll take the hit and spend an extra £10 or £20 to get it).

Fingers crossed it doesn't happen and then I can use the stocks and save the money I would've spent that month later in the year.

tigerfeet2006 wrote: »

The begining of the year is always very busy as people make resolutions etc. and usually slows down as the year goes on. Though with the way the economy is I have a feeling it will stay quite busy for most of the year. You don't have read every post if you find it too much but please do post about your day and let us know what you have acheived.

I've really struggled to keep up with this months' thread too - as Tiger says, it may slow down (but I also suspect we're going to be busier than ever this year - which is great).

If you can, try to read as many of the posts as poss - when I 1st started I never got around to it but I find I learn a lot more / pick up tips now that I must've totally missed before.

I also really enjoy hearing how others are getting on and, of course, you can see the special offers that others have found that we may have missed ourselves!

forever_saving

Could i declare £234.47 for January please. Just about made it. I am setting £300 for February please. This will be for five weeks.
Many thanks
FS

SueP19

Wow just caught up with all the posts

Well I am over budget at £321.70 but it is a 5 week month, so hopefully I will be under next month

Last spends are
B**ts £3.05
Mr M's £12.42
HB's £2.17
Mr S's £2.22
and finally my second purse £14.17

Can you put me down for £303 for Feb please

mooomin

I've been rubbish at keeping up with this thread

My budget for February is increased as one of my cats has dietary needs that cost the earth :rotfl: My budget has been upped by £20 to cover that extra spend and £4.15 which was leftover from January

February budget is £224.15 and as I got paid over a week ago and have done some major stocking up I'm sitting with £106.70 left and 22 days till payday. I'm going to spend around £25 today (No more than that!!) to make sure we have fruit/veg for the week and that the cats have cat litter.