February 2013 Grocery Challenge

Solstice_3

maman wrote: »

Solstice, reading your post got me thinking. I've never done the challenge before but I'm thinking ahead to March. I have read the first couple of pages of instructions but wanted to ask a few questions, please.

I tend to shop weekly to a meal plan which I've based on what I've already got in so my list is just essential extra ingredients and basics like milk BUT.... I also buy any offers that I see which I know I'll use up (non-perishable/can be frozen). This can be when I'm doing my weekly shop or if I'm near somewhere like Poundland or Iceland or Farmfoods. I'm really building my storecupboard as I go along with good price groceries. This is how I can make a good value meal plan based on my stores with a few fresh bits added.

I know it saves me money in the long term but how do you account for this in the monthly challenge? One week/month I might buy lots of 'offers' others none.

Also, I know it's called a Grocery Challenge but do most people include cleaning stuff and toiletries? Booze? Any other exceptions?

I suppose some of the answers are down to personal choice but others experiences would be helpful.

TIA:)

Hi mamam

I've never really thought about the offers and balancing them out, I tend to buy meat twice a week in advance and then we pick up YS sticker items on top of that. They way I do it in respect to that is count all money spent as it balances out in the end, the following month I will have some stock left over and then buy less meat. I menu plan weekly too, though I have lost my mojo this week and just ordered meat that I can make lots of types of meals from, I'll figure it out when my menu planning mojo comes back

As for what you include it's personal, just imagine you had two pots which one would you use to pay for each item. I buy household items out of the grocery pot and personal items like shampoo out of the personal pot (I buy quite a bit from Lush though so it's a luxury for me). We buy pet food separately and booze comes from both pots grocery and personal

The way I look at it personally is grocery items are items that benefit the whole household so if you share the same brand of toiletries you might take it from the grocery money and if your family members tend to buy their own stuff you don't but like you said it's personal to you and your situation

I've rambled on there a bit sorry about that, hope you can get some sense out of it though. Good luck with your challenge, see you on March soon!

bargain_hunter_2

Just had Mr T delivery (mainly special offers) filling up larder etc -took me over budget and I still need to get bread milk fruit for the rest of the month.

Think I was a little bit optimistic with my budget this month as was using grocery budget to buy some toiletries (which I would normally pay for separately) and picking up bits and bobs for party next week.

Still, it's definitely making me more aware of what I spend on groceries.

GreenFairy

Baked tofu and broccoli satay last night, with rice. Was really yum. Am trying out a lot of new recipes at the moment and this was one of them. Will be adding it to the regular rotation.

Veggie bolognaise tonight, and I've even remembered to start soaking the chickpeas for tomorrow. Freezer bursting, so no excuse for picking up YS bits in the supermarket.

january_23

We have £2.64 left until the 28th of the month!

We ran out of vegetable oil so bought a big 3L bottle for £4.39. Unfortunatly we couldn't wait until the stock up March budget to get it. So we will probably end up over budget this month just like last month.
I know why last month we were 'over budget' and it was because £9.33 of the budget went on laundry liquid that was on offer.
Oh well last month and this month we did restrict the budget quite a lot so I don't think we are doing too badly.

£47.36/£50.

January

Billie-jo

Still no more spends to report even though today is usual shopping day. Have a really rotten cold so decided to stay in and keep warm, hoping that I feel better tomorrow and will go then instead. We have enough in anyway although the only fresh fruit left in the house is one solitary orange and three lemons. If still not up to it will send DH but dont really like doing that as it always proves expensive, he takes a list, consults it, then like most men totally disregards it and spends a fortune on stuff he THOUGHT I had forgot to put on the list in the first place!! :mad:

xxlouisexx56

£22 today, mostly on rubbish I must add.

Popping to Iceland when I pick DP from the station.

Kitchenbunny

Evening, just popping on to report a spend of £3.99 yesterday, taking my total to £289.42 for the year so far. Things are a little bit hectic at the moment and it's very difficult to keep track. I shall try!

Today has been an NSD though, which is lovely. I'll have to get a few bits for the weekend tomorrow and then I need a big push on clearing some of the storecupboard stuff - I know I'll use it but I want to get things rotated a bit.

Have a lovely evening everyone. Chicken curry for us tonight.

KB xx

Princess_nola1

Another £3.27 spent in Mr A and £3.05 spent in Mr M. Total now stands at £49.91/300.

thehappybutterfly

Hurrah! Another successful month under budget. I'll try and bring it down again so I'm going to go for £375 in March.

lushlifesaver

Another £9 spent today. Pay day is Monday but I will keep the whole of next week in my February budget I think.

Will need bread, ham, biscuits for lunch boxes, pasta tubes, mixed and I think maybe some tuna for me for sandwiches as a change from ham/cheese. Might get some fresh veggies too - peppers and cucumber, some carrots to start having some fresh salads at work all in should be about £10 - will budget £15 to be sure as there's some offers on in Mr M's that I may stock up on

Will update my sig with today's spends now