March 2007 Grocery Challenge

ShirleyPark_2

Not quite the end of the month for me, payday is still 2 days away, but we have absolutely no need to go shopping again. Just added up the last couple of receipts that were sitting on my desk ready and waiting.

Total spend for the month is £84.76, so £3.90 under budget

Best news is the BF has decided to cut out cheese for a while which is going to do wonders for the budget as we normally spend about £10 a month on cheese. Though not sure what it'll get replaced with, hopefully not something else more expensive.

Am going to keep the budget the same, as while we've been under for Feb and Mar it's only been by a few pounds and it's enough of a challenge to keep within the budget.

millionaire_in_training

Have just read the advice given to me by lil me to put grocery money aside and only take what I need to the shops. I think I will try that next month as at the moment I hardly ever lift any cash and always use my card. My mum said I'm like the Queen lol I don't do cash!! I agree though that I think this is where I am going wrong. Have loads in and could probably feed us for at least a couple of weeks. My achilles heel is my kids though. I find it hard to say no to them when they ask for things. They are not abit greedy and do accept if I say no but the guilt kills me. It's not their fault that I am a single skint mum. Hopefully my maintenance will go up this month if CSA get their fingers out. Been waiting 9 months for a review ............GITS !!

Ok rant over and mentally kicking my own bum into gear and getting fired up for April. Miles over this month but done now and onwards and upwards. Take care all xx

indebted

I'm really glad its not just me.

Have failed MISERABLY this month. Had to go shopping last weekend for what seemed like everything, also had a £7 voucher off a £50 spend at tesco so felt must take advantage of it, and have consequently spent TONS over the allowed budget, and its not even the very end of the month yet.

(And have eaten out at least 3 times (+ free meal at ikea) and haven't allowed for this at all.) Very disappointed in myself.

Budget £260.00....Spend to date £316.31 and still need a few bits...AAArrrggghhh

Boatie_Bird

Hey indebted, don't beat yourself up too much.
I can see from your sig that your lightbulb moment was only the end of Jan and it takes a few months of practise to work out what works best for you.
Why don't you look at what you were spending a year, or even a few months ago - I bet you're spending a lot less now!

mikeD

NHSslave wrote: »

Well have done the last of the grocery shopping for this month. It was the first month I have been on MSE and so the first month of my grocery challenge. I had set myself the target of £250 (pre-MSE was spending £400-£500 per month). and the grand total is..... (drum roll)... £259.65 for the month. £9.65 over I know but I console myself with the fact that this included buying a years supply of washing powder in costco and without this I would have been on budget. Will be sticking with the same amount each month and see how I get on
Thanks for all the great OS advice I feel my life has been turned around (and DH is shocked at the amount of cooking and baking I am doing now:rotfl: )
Katie

Well done Slave, keep it up, you're obviously a great saver. Please can I bring my laundry round :rotfl:

mikeD

kiwi88 wrote: »

Hi mikeD

No you're not missing something :rotfl: It's like you said at the end that's the only way I bulk cook, if it's on bogof or I'm under budget one week You're right though you never know when you might get it cheaper so you take a chance :rolleyes:

It also means that if we are short one month I have main meals already cooked so all we need to buy is fresh bits.

I couldn't use the Japanese stock level system myself but, like you, I meal plan and have an idea of usage time and that really helps

This is why I love this thread :T We all find out how differently we work things out. It can be really interesting and give you so many ideas.

Thanks Kiwi, glad I'm still Compus Mentis. When you get to my age you're neve quite sure :rotfl:

Had a good month in March. Maybe I've set the bar too high as for this quarter I haven't gone over budget :A, except for the booze allowance :beer:. I think I'll wait another couple of months to see if then I can cut it down. :cool:

ti1980

I managed to fail miserably. I had no fresh fruit and I really didn't want to go without my orange citrus fruit as I think I am addicted (as I am to candles!:o)

I went about £10 over in the end which doesn't sound a lot but considering I set my budget at £50 then it is quite a lot really.

Oh well, I am going to try again this month.:)