April 2007 Grocery Challenge

southern_chick

i've done this weeks shop a bit early, i spent £20.98 most of that seemed to be on crisps and biscuits though, still at least it is an underspend
hope everyone else is doing ok

SC XX

tracyg

affordmylife - this is how I started, the receipts come in handy too when your into it for finding out whats cheaper from where. If you don't always have time to make something because of work, when you next make somthing do a batch of it and put it in the freezer so you can just defrost and reheat when your sort on time. But just reading others posts always cheer me on, have fell behind a bit with spends book so must try harder as it is useful!

I didn't do the chilli in the end as had another two for dinner (5 + lo who eats a full meal), made a chicken casserole instead with potatoes, veg, etc. It went down really well, the main reason I changed is the little girl I had today mainly eats crap at home so i thought at least shes having a good dinner for meat, pots and three veg. Popped to the local 'cheapo' supermarket and spent £6.84 but this included buying a card I needed and some bits lo wanted and walked so saved the diesel - pushed buggy with large 6mth old in and large 8yrs hitching a ride so had a good workout! Used up the chicken breast from the freezer so DH and I will just have a couple of make do meals instead of this chicken - got some HM soup in there for one night, have some tinned stuff in too.

One of the guests brought pudding with them so that was kind of them and there was empty plates all round so an enjoyable night!

EagerLearner

I have reeeeeally overspent this month already, all because of our move at the beginning of the month. I hate moving, so expensive! Have not even had the guts to properly update sig yet...

Anyway, to make up for it have eaten poached eggs, baked beans and potatoes for dinner which would not normally be on the menu but today we just wanted to feel better about all the spending! It means we have postponed one dinner if that makes sense...

WelshWoofer

Just an update really - I seem to be using this as a diary to keep a running total - it's working though (hope nobody minds!)

Spent 40p on reduced teacakes for OH (he did buy the big shop last week unexpectedly!)
So running total is now £12.86p

£87.14p left of £100 budget.

lil_me

Darn it, 2 and a half weeks left and only £80ish from the £280 budget. Problems - kids holidays, having DSs and DP with me shopping wanting 'extras' me going for quiet life just giving in, or the times when I had no choice because it was when I got home I seen it, food for meals out on picnics etc, eating out (just bakery etc but still adds to it) making a lot of expensive meals (for example curry, with sheek kebabs, naan breads etc etc) shopping more locally definately costing me more for some things especially basics.

Annoyed with myself, almost know I will go over budget as I have 18 days to make meals for and max of 9 main meals that is with me pushing it a little and seriously padding out. I don't think there is anything else I can make a meal from for us that I have in, then there is lunches, packed lunches from next week etc too. Oh bother!

Right next month it's time to knuckle down. Will try my best to get to the end of this month without going too far over.

happyathome_withmyboys

nodwah wrote: »

Like the idea of happyathome's spreadsheet but I think it'd take me long... unless I blag an excel course at work!

Nooo - it really is just a numpty-proof simple checklist (after all, I made it!!) - maybe I shouldn't have put Excel - it makes it sound much more sophisticated than it is. Why don't you give it a go?

angelatgraceland

I can vouch for that! Nothing difficult about it. I shall add to it Happyathome_withmyboys and if you then would like me to email it back to you "filled in" a little by all means I will. The more people who contribute-the more detail it will have.

nodwah

happyathome_withmyboys wrote: »

Nooo - it really is just a numpty-proof simple checklist (after all, I made it!!) - maybe I shouldn't have put Excel - it makes it sound much more sophisticated than it is. Why don't you give it a go?

OOOH well... maybe... but I'm major numpty!

happyathome_withmyboys

angelatgraceland wrote: »

I can vouch for that! Nothing difficult about it. I shall add to it Happyathome_withmyboys and if you then would like me to email it back to you "filled in" a little by all means I will. The more people who contribute-the more detail it will have.

Thank you, angelatgraceland - its one of those tools that could be so useful, and it does have so much potential - but one person alone (who has any kind of life that tends to get in the way!) just can't realise it. I forgot to say on the PM that I forgot to apply a filter - the document I sent was a rescued one - after offering the thing I found out it had been 'lost' during one of my many child-induced computer crashes...

Softstuff

Well, I'm starting to think that reducing my budget to $200 (about 80 quid) for the month for both of us was over optimistic... especially since we've had a big easter family meal with wine, and his friends are coming over for lunch tomorrow! But you know what, I'm determined I'm going to stick with the budget, and not go a penny over, even if it means some very odd meals in the final week :rotfl: