June 2007 Grocery Challenge

teedy23

only count what YOU spend, anything gifted is just that, a gift. If it stops you having to spend, so much the better. If you really want you could start a pinmoney challenge, I,m not up to this yet, so many things going on allready, one step at a time

OliviaH_2

Hi there,
even though I am able to afford a good life after many years in business, every few months I set myself the challenge of surviving on £20 per week, that's eating healthily and very well, with three square meals per day. Let me tell you if you can cook, then it's easy.
I will search through the reduced fruit and veg for knockdown bargains and also the meats section, bread also down in price. Let me tell you it's surprising what you can get for five pounds.
I make chicken broth, corned beef hash, hotpot, stirfries, shepherds pie and many more mouth watering dishes, all from good quality produce and then freeze most of them There's always some over to take me into the second week and I love to see how much less I could spend, if I needed to drop down even more. Nescafe coffee, only one pound per jar at the "Pound shop".

Try it and rise to the challenge. Believe me you will feel as though you have achieved and learned a good lesson in home economics.

Solwaykid

I din't do my weekly update yesterday 'cos I thought I'd blown my budget but I think I've about £20 left for two weeks. I'm hoping not to go food shopping at all and tonight did a bit of an inventory of what's left. This 3rd week of the month is always a hard one for me. All the easy stuff is gone and I really have to put some effort into imaginative meals. Come the last week of the month I'm eating very random things! Hey ho at least I'm having a go.

Hope it's going well for everyone else, I never find the time to read all the posts but I'm here in spirit willing you all on!

rosieben

lemanie wrote: »

The spending diary is at least making me more aware of how much I'm spending

Been thinking about this. Can I ask how you keep the diary please - book? spreadsheet?? - and do you keep note of all spends including food, petrol, utilities etc?

I think I could use something like this, made good progress on food budget but still need to get other spends under control so I'm looking for ideas! :think:

mikeD

rosieben wrote: »

Been thinking about this. Can I ask how you keep the diary please - book? spreadsheet?? - and do you keep note of all spends including food, petrol, utilities etc?

I think I could use something like this, made good progress on food budget but still need to get other spends under control so I'm looking for ideas! :think:

If like me you are a bit of a spreadsheet nerd then use one by all means. I find it so simple and you can easily tot up the weekly/monthly spends. I use Open Office 2 (free to user) and it is quite like Microsoft (spit) Excel. Using pen/pencil and paper is sooooo old hat. :rotfl: For all other spending I use Quicken v6, not free I'm afraid. :mad:

rosieben

mikeD wrote: »

If like me you are a bit of a spreadsheet nerd then use one by all means. I find it so simple and you can easily tot up the weekly/monthly spends. I use Open Office 2 (free to user) and it is quite like Microsoft (spit) Excel. Using pen/pencil and paper is sooooo old hat. :rotfl: For all other spending I use Quicken v6, not free I'm afraid. :mad:

Thanks Mike, yes I am a complete nerd for spreadsheets and anything else computer; trouble is I do so much stuff on the computer already that I'm afraid one day I'll pick up a pen and won't remember how to use it!! :rotfl:

might be a good idea to let the computer do the maths though, given my GCE maths result

GreenNinja

Oh my goodness!

Just totted up all my receipts for this month and I am about 2 quid away from my target of £80 for the month, with still another week to go. Empty cupboards/fridge also so no hope there!

I didn't realise how many trips to buy bits I did during the week! Definitely must try harder to get everything for the week apart from milk, in one go rather than bits and bobs. Maybe it will be easier that way to see where the spending is going a bit wrong.

Curv

Well done to everyone! Even if we miss our targets sometimes at least we know where we stand by keeping track. Keep up the good work!

I'm feeling a bit giddy 'cause I've done my Tuesday shop and managed to come back with £8.29 to feed to the Mortgage Pig DH made me laugh when I got back from Tesco... the first thing he said was 'Well, how much did you spend? Did you manage to stay in budget?' I think he's getting the budgeting bug too...

Nova5

I am on target to finish within budget, well, that's if you don't count the last day of the month! I am due a Tescos delivery tomorrow which should bring me up to £247.12 but need to use 700 point voucher for £70 spend instore on the 30th. The groceries bought then would be for July so I think I'll count it as part of July's budget - who am I trying to convince eh?!! :rolleyes:

Technically it's still June so should it be classed as this month's spend or next month? I am going to my Mum's for a week next month. She lives in France and I always do a BIG shop there before coming home so I maybe I should cut my losses and add it on this month.

My DH pointed out last night that we haven't had any takeaways this month and that in itself has saved us about £70, and hopefully our shopping bill should of saved us the best part of £200.

I have really enjoyed this month. Eating out of the cupboard and freezer has been good as I've really had to try and be creative and have surprised myself. Tonight we're having tuna pasta bake - reminds me of my student days! We never have things like that nowadays so I am looking forward to the nostalgic dinner conversation.

Thank you all for your inspiration :T

poohbear59

Help, I've already spent £324 on June's grocery budget and still have some meat to collect from the butchers tomorrow. About another £10 I think. We are really well stocked with all staples, will last about 3 months, plus toiletries etc and meat but still need to last until 24th. I sent DS1 to Co-op because we had no cheese and he came home with £2 change from a £10 note. He says he bought 'stuff'. He is making dinner tonight, but plan is for tuna pasta bake for which we had all ingredients except the cheese. Maybe I was being unrealistic planning on £320 for 6-8 adults! None of whom contribute anything to household budget.