December 2012 Grocery Challenge!!!!! REALLLY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

minicooper272

Came in 20p over my £10 budget this week. Though that was because I bought some loose veggies - bought them loose because I thought I'd save money instead of buying a big bag, but it only came in 16p cheaper, and I got half the amount of potatoes - not amused!

I also bought an advent calendar and a little bag of Christmas chocolates, but decided those should come from a different budget. So I'm doing alright so far this month, and only 2 more shops to Christmas!

mossy

Nipped in to Lid! today to pick up some apricot jam, MIL make a Christmas cake for DH but I need to ice it etc! Also got some gammon for lunch. I really really need to sort out a meal plan that is of course if I can get off MSE for long enough lol!!

pamsdish

went into Town for some cards,3-20,really must get another 2 b`day cards still, always mean to get these earlier in the year as so little choice now,bought a new curtain rail 8-99, called at B&M only 4 pounds there, then called at Aldi for some bread,2 Stollen,cranberries mustard,2 lasagne ,bacon peas,chicken leg,coffee tomatoes, garlic sausage and then fancied a bottle of advocaat ,total 20-26
Altogether totals 32-50 ish ,that should be it till I go to my friends till New Year.

Pernicious

angelatgraceland wrote: »

:rotfl:The mini challenges are in some ways the most important in reducing your spending. it is these little extras which drain your account! Could you set aside a day a week for treats? Like maybe the oven pizza? The takeaway once a month maybe on payday so you have to wait for it? This would teach you to regulate these items without depriving yourself. You would have something to look forward to and it could all be a part of a greater meal plan!:money:

Very true, if it wasn't for the takeaways I would be in budget for my previous attempts at £150! The one day a week is a nice idea but the trouble is when I have a stressful day I completely cave! Sadly this happens quite regularly & DH doesn't need persuading. I will hopefully just shame myself into only having 1 a month through this thread, I am relying on your judgements people :rotfl:

Bluegreen143 wrote: »

Made a lovely dinner last night - chicken satay with salad, roasted veg and pittas:

Mmm, that looks delicious!

Tiglath

Doing well here - £101/£180 and just staples, veg + Christmas dessert left to buy until payday on the 19th when my January 2013 budget starts. Huge amount of food in freezers and pantry still (probably enough meat to last 2 months) - I feel like one of those apocalyptic 'preppers.'

Bluegreen143

Just did my first shop of the week, went to Mr M in person instead of getting a Mr A/T delivery and totally misjudged how heavy the list would be - had to get a taxi back

Spent £44.13 + £3.50 on the taxi, which was a bit more than planned but still within budget. Meant to go to Mr W as well to pick up organic pork but ended up not having time so got a chicken instead, everything else was on the list:

Savers plain flour 60p
Savers bran flakes 97p
Pepsi x1 £1 (will need more later in the week)
4 pints milk £1.49
Savers frozen sweetcorn £1
Whole free range chicken £9.38
Savers mayonnaise 48p
6 bananas 90p
Cheddar £2
Cauliflower 97p
Savers onions 75p
Savers coco pops 83p
Savers feta 75p
Broccoli 69p
Pistachios £2.84
Red onions x2 24p
Chickpeas x3 £1
Butternut squash £1
Paprika 95p
Green beans £1
Ham £1
Pizza £1
Savers butter £1
Aubergine £1
Savers cling film 60p
Icing sugar £1.89
Toilet roll x2 £3
Pak choi 50p
Salad x2 £2
Spinach £1.30
Savers white bread 50p
Free range eggs £1.50
Taxi home £3.50

Roasted the legs of the chicken for dinner with some mash, savers yorkies (normally make my own but OH bought them ages ago), carrots, green beans and HM gravy. Lovely! Have dissected and frozen the rest of the chicken for next week.

XSpender

I forgot to get coffee for DH yesterday so picked some up at m&S when out Christmas shopping. Also bought some cider and a GF cake as I have been so busy this week I haven't baked anything. DS keeps asking for chocolate cake so will try and find the time to do that and make another 2 Christmas cakes for gifts.

Is it too late to make a Christmas cake?

Had lunch out today and still stuffed so DH is making the chicken I defrosted into curry for tea tomorrow and a couple of lunches for me and the turkey into a super hot curry for himself. I had thought both were chicken but one packet turned out to be turkey escallopes:o. Must remember to use labels

We have tons of food in so I have told DH that I am going to only do a basics shop next week for bread, fruit, booze (it's a basic in our house), milk and a few bits. I will cancel the veg box due Friday too.

Will then do a decent shop for the Christmas bits and enough to last us into the new year. It will make this month a lot longer but I will still aim for the same budget even though it is going to be very tight.:eek::

redbooties

I'd like to join this thread too please, my budget will be £400 for December, that's for 3 adults, 1 child, 2 large dogs and 1 cat.

DanielleNic87

Went to T's today with the OH. HUGE mistake :mad:

£32 spent on nothing really. Only need things for our pizza toppings nearer the time (this is what we are having on christmas day ).

Still hoping to come under on the budget.

msgnomey

Went shopping today and spent £73.09 :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: in A*di and £7 in cat food in the Co-o* (cats wont eat A*di food) made the mistake of not taking a list

But I'm taking £15.40 off the total because it was for Xmas gifts which don't come out of the food budget!!

I also did a bit of a search for renewing my car insurance (getting a new car on Saturday) and even though it's a better car the premium has halved!!!! So I've saved around £22 a month on that!!

siggy updated!!