April 2007 Grocery Challenge

trulymadlydeeply_indebt!

Newbie MoneySaver

Join Date: Apr 2007
Post Count: 2
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Hello everyone.

Been looking at these forums for a few weeks now so there will be no fancy bits until I get the hang of it!

Why not try the following suggestion and see how much you can save.

I regularly shop at Morrisons or Tesco Online. Three weeks ago I went to Aldi because I was strapped. Later that evening I went onto Tesco.com and did a "dummy" shop out of curiosity to see how much I had saved. Taking "like for like" i.e. Aldi unknown brand vs Tesco value, I managed to save over £15!. I did this again the following week and saved £16+. For 2 adults and 2 kids under 5, that's about £800+ per year - quite a chunk of our annual GROSS income of £15k. See how you go on - it's Aldi for me now!

littlechezza

Can I just ask all these budgets seem really good but are people only buying the cheap cheap stuff at supermarkets, I need to cut money off my monthly spend but I still like to get my free range chicken (would be organic but far too expensive) and I also get organic apples grapes etc because the kids love these, any replies would be helpful, thanks

Shortie

Okay..... I already know I'm going to fail this month's challenge.

I finally go to take a good look at our accounts online last night and realised I'd forgotten we'd bought party food and drinks for DS's 4th birthday. My month actually runs 19th - 18th and it was spent on the 23rd-ish...

So all in all, I actually only have £14 to stay in budget until the 19th. Definately not possible as I need cat food, milk, chicken and cheeseat the bare minimum until then.

But, I'll going to carry on posting this month so that I can try and keep as close to the £100 mark as posible. Pooh

isabelle304

Went and spent £17.97 at Sainsbury's last night so my numbers are looking pretty bad at the moment (only £32 left) but like Shortie I'll soldier on and will keep on posting as I still believe I can make it.

poohbear59

littlechezza wrote: »

Can I just ask all these budgets seem really good but are people only buying the cheap cheap stuff at supermarkets, I need to cut money off my monthly spend but I still like to get my free range chicken (would be organic but far too expensive) and I also get organic apples grapes etc because the kids love these, any replies would be helpful, thanks

I buy a mixture of cheap, free range and organic and have been spending about £280 per month on all food and toiletries for 4 adults and 16yr old. All our toiletries have to be environmentally friendly because we have a septic tank.

I have been Aldi shopping today and have spent £65 plus £50 at local butchers which only leaves £75 until 24th but freezer and cupboards are well stocked. Just have to hope my 'gannets' don't eat anything that I need for planned meals. I have decided to buy at Aldi whenever I have the opportunity but it is 20 miles away so do a big shop of staples (tins of tomatoes, beans etc). I do buy organic rice, pasta, flour, dried pulses from a co=operative every 3 months. We also get free rabbits and pheasants which DSs prepare and I freeze until can fit them into meal plans. We are also lucky to get a lamb or whole mutton from local farmer a couple of times a year.

Our hens are ex battery and we leave them to roam in the garden but they have taken to digging up vegetables so we are building them a run but will still allow freedom most of the day.

Fruit and veg are a mixture too of organic when available locally or whatever else is available in local shops. We grow lots of our own fruit and veg and also are given produce by friends and neighbours when they have a glut. I found if I asked, people were happy to give away excess and I often blanch and freeze so have plenty throughout most of the year.



Sometimes it is possible to get apples in bulk and store them through the winter until soft fruit become available, we used to do this when we lived in south of the country but locally grown apples etc are harder to come by in the north west.

Sorry thats loads of information but I hope it helps.

happyathome_withmyboys

ILoveSaving wrote: »

Hi everyone,

The thing is I blew our food shopping in March and spent in total for both categories - £820 :mad:

Scope for drastic change here!!!

I am very disgusted with myself.

Don't be disgusted with yourself... but it might make you smile to know that I have not very much more than that to feed and clothe me, DH, DS1 and DS2 (and dog and cat - although they are not high maintenance, at least not on the clothing front!), pay bills, council tax and rent. If it helps, you've made me feel a lot better about my £20 overspend in Lidly this week! :rotfl:

ti1980

I spent a total of £8.54 today. I need to get some more fruit as well. I try to stagger it so I don't have too much or too little in at one time as its only me that eats it.
So that means I have £52.60 left for the month.

newmrslockwood

OMG. i think my monthly spend is gonna be high. just added up my spendings so far since Sunday. I've already spent £27.78. thats just going to local shop for bread and milk. I go in and end up spending nearly a tenner. this month will really open my eyes on what we really spend.

racer256

Hi,
This is my first time on this thread. My OH & I normally spend £220 a month (he's a big eater!) So my target is £200 which works out roughly £50 a week.
M

tracyg

Me in too please!

I saved all receipts in Feb to get an idea of what I spent and last month I set myself £200 for DH, me, DS1 (just being weaned) and 2 dogs. I failed by about £30 but was quite pleased as I have never budgeted before on food (hangs head in shame). I have decided to stay at home with DS so now have to watch the pennies. We did notice that we ate better last month as we cut out takeaways, meals out and basically buying rubbish/junk. I've started shopping locally instead of Tesco, using the veg shop and the butchers, etc. I have an aldi down the road and have been impressed with what they do. Also by planning and watching what I've spent I'm throwing nothing out or giving it to the dogs to use it up.

I'm trying for £200 again and really need to do it. This is for food and household only, nappies and baby milk and petrol is from somewhere else as is going out. I think one of the problems I had was trying to it weekly so if I brought any offers, it left me short for the following week so as someone else suggested I've drawn out the months money and put it in a jar.

Have spent about £40 for this week but included easter and birthday gifts and did a bit of a stock up at Aldi.

Going to follow this thread and hoping that will help me and keep me going.