Horrendous supermarket overspend this month... Need HELP to change our habits!

balletshoes

I think theres definitely a knack to getting the whoopsie/yellow sticker items for pennies in supermarkets, but I don't have that knack.

I do most of my supermarket shopping online, and on the rare weeks that I don't, I spend way more money in the supermarkets, as you say, finding stuff getting into your trolley while you're browsing the aisles.

Stay away from the shops, especially when bored, uninspired, or hungry!

Oh, and keep totting up what you spend OP, then you'll know if your change of habits result in a good reduction in what you're spending. I do it, even if I don't really have a budget to keep to some months, because when I do (ie if theres a big bill coming up etc) then I can see straightaway where my money is going and can make efforts to curtail that expenditure.

Richard53

When I needed to get my spending under control, I did all the sums and worked out exactly how much a week I had to live on (after utility bills etc). I took that amount out in cash on a Saturday (actually a little less, to leave a small buffer), and that was it until the next weekend. If I didn't have the cash, I didn't get it. That tends to focus the mind on essentials - no point in buying a few impulse clothes and gadgets if it means you can't eat.

It worked for me. Cash is great because it is visible and tangible. Plastic is pretend money, and it doesn't feel the same when you spend it.

echo_and_narcissus

This is all really good guys, thanks.

We were flummoxed when we saw our balance. We barely go out (me rarely, hubby for a beer or two once or twice a week and that's it) so we are ALWAYS saying to ourselves, we don't waste money, we're not frivolous... Clearly we are VERY frivolous at the supermarket! I feel so embarrassed at myself!

I started today by breaking a habit. Usually pop to the shop after school drop-off to pick up anything we need, and get the toddler a treat. I had brought my purse with me in my bag, but claimed I hadn't got it and we could go home and have a lollipop:)

This idea was approved lol, and I'd bought a big bag of lollipops with the last big shop for this exact purpose. Everyone's happy.

I like the idea of leaving my purse at home and bringing cash for what I need. Think I will do that.

Not sure whether to go with online or in person shop. Undecided yet.

CH27

I always use cash & only withdraw what I what to spend.
I mentally tot it up as I go round the shop.

Pixiechic

I always have a list when I go to the supermarket and a meal plan. I'm not strict about what meals when but I know the meals that we will have.

I make things in double and freeze one of them, that way, for lazy days you can still have a nice healthy homemade meal.

I have a breadmaker so I just make bread or rolls as and when we need them. Not big bread eaters though!

I make a big batch of veg stock and freeze them as a base for homemade soups and things.

I buy good produce so our shop isn't cheap but its just two of us so its nothing like your bill!

floss2

echo_and_narcissus wrote: »

.... We barely go out (me rarely, hubby for a beer or two once or twice a week and that's it)...

Sorry to highlight this, but unless he regularly drinks in a Wetherspoons, this could easily be up to £12-15 a week depepnding on where you live & what your hubby drinks, so over a 5-week month the 1 or 2 beers once or twice a week could equate to £60-75.

Also, try and take out the clothing, toaster etc from your shopping, and see what your spend was for purely groceries.

paulineb_2

Id also say see how much you have left of the 817 spend. I appreciate there are 6 of you and theres only one of me, but this month I have been very skint, more so than usual. Ive just added up what Ive spent on food this month to date, comes in at about £45 and Ive just spent £15 on an approved food shop. And thats including the food for my cats as well (Ive got 6 of them).

I think you could be looking at spending £350-£400 a month on groceries, less probably.

This board has helped me massively, just the realisation that you dont need to be in and out of supermarket every day or every other day has helped me cut down what I was spending.

Also, you could consider building up a stock cupboard of staples such as pasta, rice, lentils, tins. Have a go at baking your own bread.

fluffymuffy

We found we could save a lot of money by not going to the supermarket at all. We've found a local petrol station with a mini-market attached which sells everything we need and no extras. Some of the prices might be higher than the big supermarket but there just aren't those extras you don't need. Also they don't have a trolley so we have to use two hand-baskets. We have to go every few days but it's still way cheaper then the big weekly shop where everyone puts the stuff they fancy in the big trolley.

claire16c

Ive started to use the self scanning machines at Tesco that way I can see the bill adding up, and it definitely makes me more careful about what I put in the trolley.

tessie_bear

when i was spending too much i stopped going to asda and went to aldi...i was buying too much in asda such as a pair of shoes/t shirt for the kids/seasonal stuff such as a bbq or halloween stuff....i wasnt buying food but stuff...aldi has such a small choice i spend so much less

you seem t have 2 difficulties here u spending too much and too much on groceries...work out how much cash was spent on food and what u could have done with out...write a meal plan/use up what is in your cupboards

how much do u have or want to spend ? when my kids were small i wanted to get out everyday for an hour or 2 so i went to town everyday for the walk/freshair and used to come home with just milk or bit of veg

hope u sort it out...good luck