November 2012 Grocery Challenge

Suffolk_lass

happy_chick wrote: »

Hi everyone I'm trying again in November. September and October were both a complete write off with massive overspends - does this ever happen to anyone else?

Absolutely YES! - It took me three months to get to grips and you can see from my sig that I have had a generous budget that I have occasionally failed to stay within for most of the year.

After many years of DH earning 4 times my wage he lost his job and completely retrained as a teacher and now earns less than me. I had several years of trying to adjust with no real success and I recognise my own tendencies to hoard, over-shop, buy snobby-brands and so on (I won't go on it's not comfortable to read-back).

I think that round about summer holidays I got to the point where I stopped buying all my "usual" things and now I shop more regularly to my list of just the ingredients I need for my plan.

I think I really am changing but as a F/T worker in a challenging job (which I do enjoy) that takes me out for 12+ hours four days and working from home to top up my hours, I make compromises that I accept.

You say being knackered in the evening and not wanting to cook is your failing so you buy take away. Why not try week of low effort cooking such as:

Monday - a slow-cooked casserole/stew
Tuesday - leftovers in a pie (bought pastry lid) and added frozen veg like peas or mixed veg
Wednesday - a quick pasta dish (some take 3 minutes to cook which is quicker than take-away)
Thursday - a home-made ready-meal from your freezer that you can take out in the morning and nuke when you get home
Then you are only looking at Friday night and for me, because it's the weekend I relax a bit and if it's only Jacket Potato and beans with grated cheese, that is great; nutritious quick (if you nuke the potatoes before baking the last 15 minutes), delicious and cheap.

HTH and good luck in November
SL

xx_Jo_xx

CompBunny wrote: »

Has anyone noticed their local T£$co starting to withdraw certain Value ranges?

Yes, Ive noticed too...and its not just t3sco either... Im sure they are disappearing from A$da and Sainburgs too...

peony40 wrote: »

My freezers and store cupboards are groaning so in theory I should be able to come in on budget, the key for me is to menu plan.

Thats the key for me too... sometimes I am very good, but then lifes throws a spectacular curve ball and it all goes up in the air! I am learning the importance of having proper homecooked food in the freezer in portioned containers, ready to go as required

mummy2mygirls

Hello can you add me for £450 again this mth please I came just over budget last mth but this mth I have to stay under as we (DH ) have been paid a lot less!! I had first shop of the mth today and came in at £60.22 so will update siggy.

debtmess

Jumping in with £300 for November that's for myself 3 children and teen sister.

Spent just under £20 in co-op yesterday but big shop will be done online for early next week, that's going to be around the £150 mark with the months food for my 2 cats included.

WelshWoofer

Just back from the first shop of the month and went to Asd* as I was near it (usually use Mr T and Ald*). Had the dog with me in the car so sprinted around and didn't spend hours in the supermarket like I usually do.
Managed to get everything on my list and a bit more:o but they did have a few offers on worth picking up - I take 2 cans of Pepsi Max to work everyday and the 8 packs were on offer at £2 each.
There were also a few veggie things that I don't see anywhere else.

Total spend was £27.50 and I have plenty in for the next week - my budget includes all food, drinks, household stuff and dog food.

I did a bit of batch cooking yesterday (first time ever!) and will make extra portions of veggie spag bol tonight.

WantToBeSE

Hi all.

can someone please recommend me some coffee thats less than £2.50 for 200g?
I normally drink Douwe Egberts, and have just run out, and cant find an offer anywhere for it.
I cant spend very much, as i am doing the NOvember challenge.
I HATE nescafe, but any other brand is fine, and i have to be able to get it from either Tesc0 or M0rris0ns.

Thanks

lemmings1986

hi all hope everyone is well.
plan for today -batch cook
cheese and onion pastys
3x cheese and onion pies 1 for mil
red pepper and tomato soup
butternut squash and roasted garlic soup
ive never made or tried butternut squash soup so hopefully will taste ok and get a few portions for the freezer
patato,bacon and onion pie


small spend to report
1x huge bag garlic cloves £1.50
1x bag patatoes £1.49
1x bag onions 49p

poohbear59

ROSSPA order is expected today. I spent £38 but some was for DD so will need to calculate the exact cost and update my spend. I am going to go to Mr T and cash in all my pennies which should pay for the few things I need there.

Scuff

lemmings1986 wrote: »

hi all hope everyone is well.
plan for today -batch cook
cheese and onion pastys
3x cheese and onion pies 1 for mil
red pepper and tomato soup
butternut squash and roasted garlic soup
ive never made or tried butternut squash soup so hopefully will taste ok and get a few portions for the freezer
patato,bacon and onion pie


small spend to report
1x huge bag garlic cloves £1.50
1x bag patatoes £1.49
1x bag onions 49p

Butternut squash soup is DELICIOUS!!!!

jojotall

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Hi all.

can someone please recommend me some coffee thats less than £2.50 for 200g?
I normally drink Douwe Egberts, and have just run out, and cant find an offer anywhere for it.
I cant spend very much, as i am doing the NOvember challenge.
I HATE nescafe, but any other brand is fine, and i have to be able to get it from either Tesc0 or M0rris0ns.

Thanks

I'm not a coffee drinker but get coffee in for when others visit. I bought the Tesco Everyday Value coffee 47p for 100g. It was strength number 3. Anyway my friend came round for Halloween and I gave her a cup of coffee and she said what a lovely cup of coffee. I laughed my head off telling her what coffee it was. I thought it'd be naff but apparently not. It's worth a try at 47p no great loss if you think it's gross.