March 2007 Grocery Challenge

poohbear59

I have now spent £102 0f my monthly budget of £280 for March. We buy no 'treats' now. Kids moaned at first but have had no biscuits or crisps since Christmas. I have stocked up quite well on meat, fish and pulses for the month and probably April too. We buy no ready meals or sauces, but do buy some cheap noodles for families lunches at school. I feel we are down to the 'bare bones' in our shopping but still don't think I will be under budget. Should say 'kids' are 22, 20, 18 and 16 so do eat a lot! DH eats loads too! I have planned all meals for the month and most lunches too. I think I need to take advice from Beckie!

House_Elf_2

So Guys, into week 2........ Went over budget week 1 due to Ben and Gerrys on offer at ASDA, (£2).

I have done the big shop at TESCO £53.50. Thank goodness for BOGOF and £7.50 worth of coupons! (No meat or alcohol in this little lot!)


Still making the effort to make proper meals from the contents of the freezer. Nigella, Jamie and the Good Housekeeping all working overtime this week!I even made a cake for coffee morning with mums from school on Thurs. (But of a mistake to admit to baking, as I now have to make a cake for the PTA Coffee Morning, but was secretly pleased to be asked!!).


I shall be a supermarket tart for the rest of the week, hunting down the bargains!!!!!:p

loumac

Quick question...how many of you include money you spend on eating out as grocery budget?

poohbear59

loumac wrote: »

Quick question...how many of you include money you spend on eating out as grocery budget?

I count eating out as part of budget. Ate out once in Feb for daughters b'day. Had £5.05 lunch out today (that was for two of us), included in grocery budget. This month DS1 is 21 so more expense!!

lil_me

Any eating out, takeaways, bought lunch items like sandwiches etc come out of my grocery budget, even down to sweets etc if I buy any, puts me off doing it . I will have to do this tomorrow as I have said the boys can have their lunch at the pub when we go to meet my friend who is up for the weekend. Drinks for us all and their lunches will make a pretty big dent in my budget I think, best be as careful as possible!

House_Elf_2

loumac wrote: »

Quick question...how many of you include money you spend on eating out as grocery budget?

Please don't make me include takeaways and eating out! I'm working my way up to this!

We are invited to 18th Birthday tomorrow (lunch), and Crufts on Sunday, (Meal vouchers), so will not have to include this. However, did resort to fish and chips on Thurs so we could get to meeting at DD school!!.........there confessed!:o

Hubby paid, so I'm not counting it as part of my budget this time.

southern_chick

Hi everyone, hope you're all doing ok this month.

i hate to confess to this but i have actually started to enjoy food shopping :rotfl: , once i've done my meal plan i go onto Tesco's on line to work out how much it is going to cost and that it is in budget and then when i actually go to the shop i see if i can buy it all for a cheaper price than it said on-line (can't remember who put that tip on here before, but thank you!!!), i have spent £13.11 this week, i'm still using stuff from the freezer so know my bill will go up once the freezer runs down!!
good luck to everyone else SC XX

beckie89

DonnaP wrote: »

Beckie

I don't know how old you are, but your parents should be very proud of you.

I have only just got the hang of meal planning etc at the age of 40! You put a lot of people to shame.

Hi, thanks to everyone for their kind comments!
I'm 17, strangely I actually enjoy meal planning and budgeting etc, it helps that it's Dad's debit card!! :-D I still have to be responsible about where the money goes though of course!

Beckie x

EagerLearner

We are moving at the end of the month so I am trying to use up cupboard stuff. Food will be fairly boring from now on - bean stew anyone??? Also Macaroni cheese and sweetcorn and pasta bake type meals will be spread out throughout the next 3 weeks as since Jan I have made sure we only have one pasta meal a week to be healthier.

It means that for the next 7 days, I only have to buy 3 dinners worth for both of us, plus lunches. One of those dinners is for some friends tonight so I am hoping that £20 will cover the lot inc £4 of wine.

millionaire_in_training

oh help me!! M&S food store has opened near me. I went in today and I spent £36. Iam so glad I am on a diet or god alone knows what I would have spent. Note to me.............do not go to Marks.........do not go to marks