June 2007 Grocery Challenge

katzen_2

Hi everyone,
did my weekly shop this wekend and have managed to only spend 13.47-feeling rather pleased with myself as this is the 4th week in a row I've managed to keep my spending under control

Just reading through the posts from the impulse buyers (Angelrae, Herbaholic) don't mean to sound all shrinkish and I may be way off the mark so apologies in advance-but have you tried sitting down & thinking about why you do it when you clearly know you shouldn't?

E.g Maybe you buy your kids things because you like the smile on their faces? So maybe you could think about other ways to make them smile that don't cost money, like playing in the garden with them when you get home? I'm not saying that you don't do this already or anything-clearly I don't know either of you- but it's just a suggestion. I guess what I'm trying to say is I know that if I feel the urge to but something I don't need then sometimes I can think about why I want to buy it, then think of another way to satisfy that need.
I don't know-maybe I'm talking rubbish but that's my 2pen'th anyway...

Katz x

lemanie

Angelraesunshine wrote: »

Yes i know exactly what you mean i am always getting things for the children admittedly i do pick up the odd book while out as i love reading but even when i do i feel guilty even though it only costs me £1 or £2 a book.

Books have always been a thing of mine - especially for the kids, those pesky Book People/Red House catalogues, there is always something lovely at a great price but am really pleased with self for resisting since Christmas . We are spending lots of time at the library as we are all avid readers especially DD and it's a good job DS2 still has buggy 'cause don't know how I'd transport them otherwise, may have to invest in old lady shopping trolley when he's too big. Our library is great and 'cause I don't have time to browse for mine I just grab a handful from the new in this month shelf and have added bonus of new book smell and no-one else has read it yet. :rotfl:

Should have enough in to last rest of week, except maybe for bread but DD and DH away helps as they are biggest consumers. May try and put off shopping till Monday and then I can walk to Aldi - this limits what I can buy 'cause I can't carry too much!

Gemmzie

Can I join in? We spend £400 a month on food And £152 is gone from June's money already!

Not sure how to cut it down but ready to learn

rosieben

Gemmzie wrote: »

Can I join in? We spend £400 a month on food And £152 is gone from June's money already! Not sure how to cut it down but ready to learn

welcome Gemmzie, love your avatar! Its a good idea to keep receipts and then check what you've spent at the end of the month - it'll be a bit of an eye opener if you are like the rest of us! That will give you a better idea of where you can cut spending; meal planning and shopping lists are the way to go I think. Cooking from scratch can be so much cheaper (and nicer) but may mean a bit of a layout for supplies initially. Check out other OS threads for meal plans etc. Good luck!

! spent £27.85 this morning; I expected it to be about £19 but bought toilet rolls on offer and toiletries which I had missed off my list so that accounts for the extra spend.

Already over budget this month, but not going to beat myself up. I have lots of stuff in the freezer and cupboards and so wont need much else before month end. And when I look back to how I used to spend ...... :eek: I dont feel so bad!

Gemmzie

Thanks Rosieben, I think some serious planning is in order, I need loads of tips!

Nova5

Hi everyone. Although I'm trying hard to keep away from the supermarket this week, I'm drawing up a very large shopping list and can't wait to get there.

I've baked scones and fairy cakes (strange for me) as DD (nearly 3) has sweet tooth and will only eat one packet of raisins a day - probably a good thing. Also I am usually grazing all day on snacks, as breastfeeding 3 month old DS and constantly hungry.

Been emptying out store cupboard and freezer and have amazed myself on cooking ability. Cut back on takeaways (usually 5 a month) to none so far this month.

Guess I'm pretty pleased with myself - especially since selling DVD on Amazon yesterday :j

All this because of this site. Thanks to everyone. :money:

gems2381

I'm doing my best to keep away from the shops, might need to get some milk tomorrow but that's all.

Angelraesunshine

katzen wrote: »

Just reading through the posts from the impulse buyers (Angelrae, Herbaholic) don't mean to sound all shrinkish and I may be way off the mark so apologies in advance-but have you tried sitting down & thinking about why you do it when you clearly know you shouldn't?

E.g Maybe you buy your kids things because you like the smile on their faces? So maybe you could think about other ways to make them smile that don't cost money, like playing in the garden with them when you get home? I'm not saying that you don't do this already or anything-clearly I don't know either of you- but it's just a suggestion. I guess what I'm trying to say is I know that if I feel the urge to but something I don't need then sometimes I can think about why I want to buy it, then think of another way to satisfy that need.
I don't know-maybe I'm talking rubbish but that's my 2pen'th anyway...

Katz x

Thank you Katzen

there is always theory to my madness, for exmaple i spent £1 on 100 sheets of coloured card that were reduced from £4, my idea that they can make lots of cards for birthdays etc ( but i do have stuff at home adn dont really need the card).

I bought tons of ice cream but i bought double the amount because it was on offer dnsa might not be next time, but we really did not need that much will last me a quite a while.

I just can not pass up a freebie or somehting on offer and half the time i really dont need it i just cant pass it up.

its not about the kids yes i like to get them stuff or know i got a bargin for the next birthday party that comes up. Just most the time its me i suppose it must make me feel good.

teedy23

here,s my take on impulse spending on this thread. You know when you think about going on a diet, you almost immediately feel hungry ! It,s just the thought of going without something, I think it,s quite a .... forget the word now, anyway one of those things like when we were cave-girlies and had to hoard things to feed our babies in tough times....primeval is that the word? doesnt look right to me, anyway it,s not our fault, so, although we try to curb this instinct sometimes it completely takes us over. Well thats my excuse

Angelraesunshine

teedy23 wrote: »

here,s my take on impulse spending on this thread. You know when you think about going on a diet, you almost immediately feel hungry ! It,s just the thought of going without something, I think it,s quite a .... forget the word now, anyway one of those things like when we were cave-girlies and had to hoard things to feed our babies in tough times....primeval is that the word? doesnt look right to me, anyway it,s not our fault, so, although we try to curb this instinct sometimes it completely takes us over. Well thats my excuse

Oh i love your idea Teedy23 natural instincts passed down from our ancestors fab i'll stick with that one.

why should i pay £x more if i can buy it for £x amount now things go in the freezer its not like they dont get used. I dont go about buying lots of trinkets cos they look nice and it all just tat. lol oh well