January 2012 Grocery Challenge

artypaws

Great questions Jenbie - this is my first month to do this as well - for the first month I have included everything for us and the pets and I need to see just where all the money goes so my budget is just an educated guess. After the first month or two I hopefully will have a clearer picture on what my costs are - then I might take the pet stuff out as I do try and buy these more in bulk when there is an offer.

I too think I need to became more informed as to when an offer is a real offer or just supermarket hype - not too sure I will as my memory isn't as good as it once was and I think the supermarkets alter the prices far too often in the hope that we don't remember - but I am going to try, I think I will put some costs into my phone so I can quickly look at them whilst in the shop.

I have looked at the start of the thread and will be trying some of the recipes and also trying to make then go further - I often put grated carrot into spag bol and chillis to pad them out but hadn't thought of lentils so I am learning already.

Thank you to all that post tips and advice as a newbie they are all appreciated (I feel like I have so much to learn)

Bea

rising_from_the_ashes

dreamerbea wrote: »

I too think I need to became more informed as to when an offer is a real offer or just supermarket hype - not too sure I will as my memory isn't as good as it once was and I think the supermarkets alter the prices far too often in the hope that we don't remember - but I am going to try, I think I will put some costs into my phone so I can quickly look at them whilst in the shop.

Ohhhh totally agree - was in Mr A a few weeks ago and went to look at the washing gel (will always bulk buy if on offer) - it was marked as a Rollback from £3.50 to £3 .... but it had only ever been £3 - certainly a couple of weeks before then when I'd last bought it!

So, they'd obviously put the price up to £3.50 (for a short time) & then decided to do a rollback to make people think they're getting money off.

I think they're also designed to try to disguise a price rise - and ... at just under a 17%:eek: price rise - this is waaaayyyyyy above inflation!:mad:

patentgirl

Morning everyone

Can I please be put down for £200 for Jan have been MIA for awhile but so need to get back on track as we have now only one wage coming in as I was made redundant end of Nov so have got to be less wasteful and go back to meal planning and more baking this is for 3 adults and one cat although often feeding alot more with DD and DS and their families having at least one meal a week here.
Thankyou to everyone running this thread.

meg72

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Thank you for shiny new thread :j

January will be a use up / clear out freezer month so hoping spends will be limited. Undecided on budget at the moment. I will either not set a budget and aim to spend as little as possible or will set a budget but set it low.... will have a think...

Like you I am undecided. Really should use up,far too much in,but
would hate to have nothing in hand for a bargain.

I am thinking I will keep my budget as it is ,use up as much as
possible,then anything I have not spent move into my holiday pot.
Hope that makes sense.
Good luck to allin this new year.

mummybearx

Hello shiney new thread!!

January will bring my second attempt at this challenge, I was over my last budget, but will stick with the same figure and try harder this month!

So, please put me down for £250 for January 2012!

My biggest MSE tip for myself in Jan will be to not buy a single takeaway! I will do it! I CAN do it!! I just need to plan and stop being so bloody lazy :rotfl:

Edited to add - This will include all toiletries and cleaning products, anything I eat or drink outside the home, and my month will run from the 1st to 31st Jan. Budget is for me and DH, and our Lhasa Apso, she doesn't eat very much:-) x

Changingme

Hi please can I join again my monthly amount will be;

£300 for Changingme.

My bill seems to have been creeping up so need to take control many thanks.This is for 2 adults,2 teens and 1 cat and includes cleaning and toiletries products.

deep_in

Can I join please I would like to try for £100 this month as really need to get my freezer down to a resonable level

Alwaysthebusybee

Morning Everyone,

Please can I join your shiny new thread? My yearly budget is £3000 approximately £250 per month.

My household consists of me, dh, 2 dogs & 1 cat ... and soon to add 1 baby - which is why I need to be on top of the over spends.

I came in at £270 for December so I am aiming for £250 per month which is pay day to pay day for me (26th of each month) - January is slightly lower because I have a good stock already.

My spending will include all food purchases (except meals out), pet food, toiletries, cleaning products and baby items .... It might include the occassional alcoholic beverage too

Thank you to the lovely people who keep us on track throughout the year - I am looking forward to the challenge.

Busybee x

cleggie

I'd love to join, but dont think i'll bother as i have joined quite a few of the grocery challenges but have ony managed to stay within budget once

majjak

Hi everyone

Can I join in again please?

2012 will be a year of sticking to things and not falling off the tightrope half way along :eek:.

I'd like to go for £300 for January please. There's 6 of us and doggie and it will include all cleaning products.

I'm also guilty of stockpiling and taking advantage of glitches at a certain supermarket so I think I'm going to try and set aside £50 of the £300 for this reason alone - does anyone else who stockpiles do this differently?

I'll draw the grocery shopping 'cash' out of the bank too as I figure this will keep me more on track rather than putting it on my debit card.

Here's to 2012 ! Hope it is a happy, money-saving and prosperous one for all of you :beer: xx