Grocery Challenge - February 2012

cuddlymarm

Hi again

Moneysav3r I try to keep a couple of bags of frozen veg and a few tins of peas and tinned fruit in for when stocks are getting low. As long as the fruit is in juice rather than syrup all these are just as nutricious (I'm not sure I spelt that right ) as fresh.
I tried to add a couple of tins to my shopping every week until I built up a collection.
I hope this helps
Cuddles:)

cleggie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/51118511#Comment_51118511

The link to my new DFD! Come on over and have a read if you like, the support and encouragement woud be really appreciated!!

Spiggle

Kylieminoag wrote: »

I have completely messed up:mad::mad::mad:..... Last week I was doing so well:T that I decided we could treat ourselves to fish and chips for tea (£19.50) completely forgetting that before I started this challenge in January I had committed to doing a dinner party (7 courses and 5 different wines for 9 foodies:eek:) this week. I am going to go seriously over if I'm not careful! Fortunately I have most of the wine on the shelf. ...

Hi Kylieminoag,

If you have one, could you not put the dinner party through your entertainment budget? I'm not sure I'd put this through my gc budget unless I'd upped my monthly target budget to allow for it. Just an idea.

Lovethenight wrote: »

Ahh- :doh:Of course! Sounds obvious now!!:o

I had to ask the same question last month Lovethenight and I've been on this thread for two years next month!!!

tessie_bear wrote: »

... i found pataks curry sauce jars for 75p in home bargains yesterday....reasonable i thought but havent tried them yet...am debating using half a jar at a time as they are quite large ...

Tessie bear, I don't eat curry but OH is an aficionado and he swears by any and every product made by pataks. Be careful if you pick up their lime chutney (I think its chutney but could be pickle) as the jar will last you forever it's sooooooo hot. To be used in very small doses! :rotfl:

Been a bit slow in updating sig but will do it later on. Have been two sub £10 spends this week and OH will get some stuff again today so pretty relaxed about the budget this month so far. Just watch that come back and slap me! :doh: :rotfl:

Everyone is doing so well, keep up the excellent work and keep those purses firmly shut (unless it's the second purse and you're stocking up I suppose!:p). We're firmly on the downward path now and it's a matter of maintaining the control already exercised this month. Please don't let yourself be tempted into thinking I've got £XX left in my budget so I can loosen the reigns as that way leads to pain at the end of the month.

Take care and see you later,
Spigs

rosieben

DundeeDoll wrote: »

Is there a list of acronyms anywhere? Would be very useful for us neewbies (although i 'joined' 2008 only started using site last month)

We have a Standard Abbreviations used in OS thread although there may be some new ones in use by now. I'll add a link inthe 'Useful OS Threads' on the front page

bupster

I've got myself into a right muddle this month between what I've been spending on groceries and what's been on entertainment. From next month (23rd) I'm going to separate them out. I went to Ald*s yesterday and spent £27 on LOADS of food but also a few beers and some strawberry runners. So technically I'm over my budget by £17, but I know that at the beginning of the month my budget took a hit because I had to go out a couple of nights. Sigh. So I'm going to start again next week and be much more strict about what goes into each budget - it would be useful to know how much going out costs me; I don't go out any more all that much, and it would be nice to do so a bit more if I could afford it.

Lovethenight

Pennygrabber - that list of abbreviations is amazing! Thanks so much, it's really helpful. Also - Frugaltastic is my new favourite word:rotfl: I'm going to write it in the front of my filofax so I see it every day!! :T (filofax - very os!):rotfl:

tessie_bear wrote: »

...i have largely stopped shopping in asda( i did get the syrup) but i find when i come out my head is ringing....the acoustics in ours must be terrible...i find myself shouting over the din to dh and then carry on in the car....i like quiet shops

Tessie bear - I find exactly the same thing with a$da and horrorsons, so I always shop with my headphones on and music playing until I reach the checkout - makes for a much more relaxing experience:)

Twiglet0309

As you can see Im a newbie here but am already finding this thread facinating.
Im a Carer for my Mother who is disabled and struggle to ensure she maintains a healthy diet as we both survive on her pension and my Carers Allowance. Ive managed to swap over a few premium brands to supermarket own brands without her noticing BUT Mum is very set in her ways with regards to food.
Ive taken to making my own bread and cakes and even grow a few veg in pots in the garden.
I shall be nicking all your good ideas and hopefully contributing some of my own in due course.

cleggie

Hi all, me again!

I dont even HAVE a budget for entertainment...how much woud you say (per month) is appropriate for me & 2 children?

Twiglet0309

Could I cheat a bit and have an entertainment budget even though I dont get to go out?

cleggie

Twiglet.
I dont get to go out either, LOL!!
My entertainment budget may be for a bottle of wine every now and again, or a £5 DVD from morrisons, or a new book or something.
Although in half terms and special occasions/rarely, i will treat the kids to a day out/trip to the cinema etc.