June 2007 Grocery Challenge

JAMIEDODGER

Im doing ok so far this month. Dont really need to buy anything other than milk and fruit this week but am going to check out lidl and tesco today to see if they have any BOGOFs or 342's that I would use. Hoping to keep within my budget for the month. Doing the inventory really opened my eyes! The stuff that I have is quite unbelievable! This should really help my grocery budget this month:D

Angelraesunshine

lil_me wrote: »

Have you thought of online shopping to resist the temptations? Helped me stick to a list etc when I started trying to reduce spending and there is usually codes for free delivery or money off on the discount codes part of forum.

Meal planning and working from a shopping list was the most helpful, looking at what we had in, what I needed to go with it to make a meal etc.

Thanks, Yes i do 1/2 my shopping online and use at least £5 -£10 off in coupons each order have done for about a year and that does help me.

Meal Planning i should of done this sooner. Last night i set about it and did started a 3 week plan and checked out all the cupboards both freezers a the fridge and come up with almost 2 weeks worth of diners without problem.

So i must fight temptation to go shopping this week as i know really i can last i have enough bread milk etc, then next week i will only need a online shop for the rest of the meals for june and the lunch box and essentials i think. In theory i will not need to step into a store ( we will see)


OOOOOOOOO this might work for me i really do hope so fingers crossed for me:T

redsquirrel80

Spent a few quid in the last few days on bits and pieces, bread, cheese etc, oh and some reduced veg which I've left in the fridge at work for two days and must remember to take home tonight! It's amazing how much all these little bits add up to. Should be able to stick to my budget but only cos I've got that £10 Tesco voucher.. hmmmm.

Spooky_Pooky

Angelraesunshine wrote: »

I have just started to buy cheaper mixed cards found some in asda you get 6 for £1 or something so i got one for each of the birthdays years coming up and a plain set for everyone else, so that should help.

it might be worth thinking about making your own cards as well - or getting your little darlings to - I've just started doing my own version of this as I was lucky enough to get a photo printer for xmas so I'm currently giving people cute pics of my cats or flowers etc that I've taken simply stuck to coloured card... it's the personal touch which people seem to really like too. If you've got children it should work even better if you can bribe them to do some pretty pictures as everyone loves receiving home made kiddy cards?

Just an idea... but could keep the kids entertained and save you a few pound on your budget?

JAMIEDODGER

Just come back from shopping:

Lidl: 9.08

3 packs yoghurts (pack of 12 for 57p!)
2 large bottles of washing up liquid on offer
utterly butterly on offer

came to 6.48, should have been 9.08 so 9.08 gets added to my grocery total and 2.60 goes in the PMS jar:)

Iceland:

havent had the delivery yet due 4-6pm but saved 4.60 here. total bill 39.40 added to grocery total, 4.60 in PMS jar, actual spend was 34.80

i bought things like washing powder, toothpaste, cereal, tea bags, toilet roll: all on offer and a few freezer bits plus all our milk for the week:)

So, my stock cupboard has got larger and Im still spending lots but Im bulk buying now and mostly stuff on offer so this should filter over in the coming weeks:D
Spooky Pooky - Thats a great idea about the photo cards!

gems2381

Need to start getting a grip on my spending, I've bought dinners at work for the past couple of days instead of bringing food from home. I know its wrong but M&S do lovely duck wraps!

katzen_2

Is there anyone else on here who lives alone? I started this week really well, cooked up a storm to fill the freezer over the weekend but am now bored of the food I have to eat all week How does anyone else overcome this?
Also, I try to shop for fruit & veg at the local grocers but sometimes I find that it just doesn't last as long as the suprtmarket stuff, and that's even being careful not to pick the old stock off the top of the pile-anyone any ideas?

Other than that, budget is going well this month, I'm learning some really valuable tips from all you guys and about myself, which should help me do proper budgets over the coming months/years so- thanks!

rosieben

katzen wrote: »

Is there anyone else on here who lives alone?

Me! I dont enjoy the same meal all week but have built up a nice variety of ready meals in the freezer over the last couple of months and using them up for this month

This weekend I did lamb shank in the slow cooker, ate it one day with mash and veg and the next day with new potatoes and different veg. Blitzed the remainder as soup and thats 2 portions in the freezer for later in the month.

I've noticed that veg from the local greengrocer doesnt last so well but I think that's because supermarkets spray with so many chemicals to keep stuff fresh. I'd rather eat it without; because its difficult to buy enough to last all week anyway, I use frozen and tins for the end of the week. I refuse to shop more than once a week - end up spending too much money!

kiwi88_2

Angelraesunshine wrote: »

OMG i so need this HELP

And my 2 nieces i have 4 mornings and 3 afternoons week & 1 evening.

June so far is
Tesco £87.80
Asda £00.00

Just a thought Angel but do your nieces family help re funds or food It's just you have them a lot so maybe they could pay a little or bring over bread, milk, breakfast cereal? Sorry if I'm treading on toes and I know it's difficult being family but as I said it's just a thought.

Other than that the meal planning and bulk cooking will really help.

katzen_2

rosieben wrote: »

This weekend I did lamb shank in the slow cooker

mmm! Sounds lush! I think I'm just having a grumpy day, need to add to my stocks in the freezer too I think, then I can rotate-although I do finally leave Uni in 8 weeks so need to be careful not to go OTT, don't think mum will appreciate all my leftovers migrating to her freezer!
Will continue with the market for fresh stuff I think, it is sooo much cheaper, will just have to be careful that I pick the good stuff I guess