April 2007 Grocery Challenge

slscarborough

Thanks - I will also set a budget of £350.00 and include toiletries/nappies etc and see how I go. Sue

angelatgraceland

I forgot my bag last week when I had to pop in the chipshop for a bag of chips for DH who just fancied some and idnt feeling well(so i pander to his whims). All I had on me was 50p in a jacket in the car-want going back home for money as it would cost that in petrol so I asked for 50p worth of chips! Bargain! He still had more than he could eat!

angelatgraceland

happyathome_withmyboys wrote: »

..
Oh, and I have run out of butter - so I am going to go to the Co-op (only 4 miles away) and buy 'expensive' butter rather than drive 14 miles to buy the 'cheap' stuff! Typing this really does show how utterly daft I have been...:o

If you keep a spending diary you will be able to calculate exactly how much butter-milk etc that you really need each week so that this doesn't happen again. That is why you are making so many expensive trips to the shops! If you use it up, or it is running low, add it to your shopping list. If a friend or someone is going shopping, get them to pick up those one or two items you need-they will only buy those items whereas you may get tempted. By being organised you will save a lot of fuel and time too. 14 miles each way-about £2.80 in fuel alone! Some days I simply refuse to go out-they are my "no spend days".

lambanana

Felt really cross with myself at Asda today, have been using the calculator function on my phone and adding up all spends every time I went for last couple of weeks, today went with BF and didn't add up and spent £29 instead of the £25 I have been spending grrrrr! Am still only half way through my months budget though and a couple of things I bought will last more than a week so it'll be fine...just so disappointing after a few weeks of cheaper shops! I blame his cheese addiction for excess spending though!

happyathome_withmyboys

angelatgraceland wrote: »

If you keep a spending diary you will be able to calculate exactly how much butter-milk etc that you really need each week so that this doesn't happen again. That is why you are making so many expensive trips to the shops! If you use it up, or it is running low, add it to your shopping list. If a friend or someone is going shopping, get them to pick up those one or two items you need-they will only buy those items whereas you may get tempted. By being organised you will save a lot of fuel and time too. 14 miles each way-about £2.80 in fuel alone! Some days I simply refuse to go out-they are my "no spend days".

you are a wise woman indeed and I shall follow your advice.

tracyg

Hello! Just thought I'd update as in need of motivation. I start to feel panic when I think I'm running out of money but seeing it written down on here has made me feel better. feeling a bit down this month with money, DH earns a really good wage (I stay at home) but we always feel we have no money. Anyway....

I've taken out the months money (£200) and have about half left, this should last me. I've done a trip to town this morning so I'm sorted for the week so should only have two weeks worth of food to buy. I need to nip to Aldi once baby is up for some dog food and a gammon joint for tea one night but think I'll have enough left in my purse for this. I also have some bits in the freezer I can use up next week so that should help, also only household item I'll need this month is washing powder, costs about £2.20 from the £ shop - mixed with soda crystals it should last for next month as well. Have stocked up for DS, I'm weaning him at the moment and have made sure I've got plently in the freezer for him, need to have another cooking session later to use the stuff I've brought today.

Had to go to Mr T's today as the local veg shop was closed, some things are cheaper in there so will have a good look at my receipts and decide where I'll shop. Would love to keep local and will do if the cost is small but at the minute I really need to watch the pennies. Will definatley stick with the butcher though as he has good deals on and quality is much better.

I've found my Mr T vouchers I thought I'd lost so have kept them safe in my money and receipt box so have £13.50 to use in there if things ever go badly one month. After Aldi trip, thats it for the next couple of days, will have no spend days! Just need to use the car on Friday to take DS swimming, hopefully the rest of the week I can walk and stay clear of any shops!

Mrs_Wossinge

Does anyone else use a price book? I love using mine and knowing when an offer really is a bargain and when they're trying to hoodwink us!

Also worked out recently that my home-made bread only costs 21p a loaf, including electricity, which I'm pleased about. :-) Recipe on my blog if anyone wants it.

jcr16

whats a price book ? sounds interesting.

newmrslockwood

I'd love your bread recipe. Do you use a bread maker. I want to make some without a machine coz i got rid of mine due to not using it!:rolleyes:

southern_chick

Hi everyone

i seem to be loosing the money saving plot a bit this month, i have only spent £6.11 on food this week but have spent loads more on days out because of the Easter holidays and being off work and DD being off school, at least the shopping budget is ok but i can't find any of the underspend at all!!!! it must have gone on ice-creams and stuff, i will try harder next month

SC XX