Anyone got a nice spaghetti and meatballs recipe?

Bobbykins

Hi RTW, and welcome.

you will find plenty of help and encouragement on here. The first thing I would say to you is that you are probably pushng a bit too hard by attempting to halve your spends straight away.

You say you normally spend around £600 - have you had a chance to look at exactly what you are spending it on? One of the things that I've heard said time and time again on here, and it DOES work, is that it's best to keep a record of absolutely eveything you spend on groceries for the first month, so that you can then see where the biggest areas are for potentially cutting back.

If you possibly could, I would try and do that, and then look at reducing your spending by a small amount the first month, a bit more the next and so on, until you find a comfortable level.

Unless you have an urgent need to drastically reduce your grocery spending, I would advise not to try and run before you can walk.....go easy on yourself and set a realistic challenge

No doubt some of the others will be able to make some suggestions too.

HTH

JayneC

Hi can I join too?

I've budgetted £60 per week but already exceeded by £9 this week - I start week on a Friday/Sat.

My months run from 25th so I'll say £240 for 4 weeks inc this week. That's for 1 adult, 3 teens (who eat more than me!) a nine year old and a cat.

I will update my sig shortly ;D

rtw123

Hi Bobbykins

Thanks for the advice. We spend a lot of money on fruit/veg/smoothies etc as do like to try and eat healthy so as these run out quicker, end up in Tescos every few days buying more!!!

I will keep a note of everything I spend in Feb as you say and will get used to keeping my receipts and totalling it all up at the end of each week. However, I do need to cut down my spending as it is just ridiculous that I spend £600 in Tescos each month!!!

Next food shop will be at the weekend so will give it a whirl and see how I get on.

Thanks again.

Angelraesunshine

Hi there, Mr T has delivered total of £62.54 spent that should be it though may have to buy sausages nearer the end of the month but should only have fresh fruit and veg to buy and maybe a bit more milk come the end of the month.

egon

rtw123 wrote: »

Hi everyone
I would be ever so grateful if anyone could give me any tips on cost cutting, I need to make a huge effort as I can't believe we spend so much as there are only 2 adults, 2 kids and 1 cat. Need to pay my overdraft off and save some for holidays so hopefully I can do this if I cut down on food shop.

Will have to work out how to add signature so I can keep you all posted with my progress. Any ideas of what a realistic budget would be? What about half - £300? Not done this before so just guessing at what we would be able to exist on!!

:hello: Hi rtw123,

You are in the right place for this! Lots of help and advise here.
Take one step at the time, otherwise you going to set yourself up for failure.

Why don't you start of with making a list of what you have in your cupboards? Then sit down and make a weekly meal plan and a shopping list.
Buy a lower brand then usual, and I think you are of to a good start.

We are 2 adults and 2 children (both in nappies) and it took me a while to get where I am now. I started of as suggested above. One thing let to another and now we are having smaller grocery bills and are eating better.

Try to only change one or two things at the time. Then, when you feel comfortable with it, you can see what else you can change. This way you will ease yourself into this challenge.

I am rumbeling now...... :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Sunnyday

Hi all,
well i bought the porridge today, i was going to try and wait until tomorrow but it`s done now, 62p at the local shop.
I will definitely have a nsd tomorrow.:D

Bobbykins - I`ve just eaten a piece and it was gorgeous, the blackcurrant will deffo be my fave, think i`ll try strawberry next time.

Carolt2 - it`s not meadowhall it`s Meadowhell lol

welcome rtw123 and all the others who are doing this for the first time :wave:
It`s great to find out hints and tips from everyone, do you have a slowcooker or a breadmaker?
They are my salvation!
Good luck everyone!
SD

carolt2

[quote=Sunnyday;.

Carolt2 - it`s not meadowhall it`s Meadowhell lol


[/quote]


:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I know that lol, call it meadowhell alot.

was not too bad yesterday, try not to go there at weekends or school holidays.:D

Solwaykid

I'm going to join in again if I may. I've had a couple of months away from posting here, I've tried to stick to my usual £120 but I think I can tighten that a little now that I seem to have found a way that works for me.
I'm going to declare £100 for Feb. This is food and household stuff for me and two cats.
Cash at all times, two purses (I keep food money and 'fun' money separate) and £25 per week Friday to Thursday. When it's gone it's gone..Ooh, the self discipline!
I've started bulk buying when things are on offer - only if I would usually buy it of course-and I'm having another go at meal planning. There's quite a lot in the freezer and cupboards actually so if I don't come in under budget I want slapping.

Good luck folks.

Fitzio

Hi all,

Count me in again please - £150 budget for this month. I was a bit over this last month, so need to try harder. I have been cooking everything from scratch, not buying biscuits & cakes etc, freezing leftovers, but still managed to spend more for 2 of us than a lot of people spend for a family! Never mind, although there is room for improvement, I think that baby steps are the key! I might try Makro or Costco for bulk buying meat this month as my freezer is pretty empty of meat. Although I probably have no room as it's full of homemade soup! Just rambling on now....

Good luck to everyone this month.

JayJay14

I'd like to join if I may. I have only found the website this week and have spent hours trying to make inroads into it!!

We are myself, DH and DS(18) + 2xDS who don't live at home anymore but still think they can hoover the fridge (also large German Shepherd).

Please put me down for £200 this month. I have no idea how much I spent last month but I have to go carefully as DH was made redundant last year though he is temping now.