July 2013 Grocery Challenge

sefilby

have updated sig with the spends from the weekend. £44.64 in Mr T & £1.50 in coop

Could really kick myself - had bought extra bits to make up for lunch on sunday as we were supposed to go to the NHM in london; but DH ended up having to work so we didn't go. So spent more than had anticipated for no reason as it turns out.

It's not looking good, going to come in over budget I think. Mini dilemma got a £5 off £40 spend - do I attempt to get £40 worth of groceries & go over budget or do I ignore the voucher & attempt to keep shop under £25 ...

CountingPennies

sefilby wrote: »

Mini dilemma got a £5 off £40 spend - do I attempt to get £40 worth of groceries & go over budget or do I ignore the voucher & attempt to keep shop under £25 ...

This is the dilemma i have found myself in a couple of times this month. I've ended up trying to stick to budget. So unless its something you NEED, i would stick to under £25, or else you just buying for the sake of buying (or at least thats what i would have done, which is why i'm on this challenge in the first place :rotfl: )

CP xx

pixiedust09

A NSD for me today just finished my Nigella Lawson Ultimate Chocolate Cake for garden party this eve, can't wait to eat some. I really enjoyed licking the bowl.

WantToBeSE

Updated my sig to reflect some beer and chocolate spends yesterday

Going to do some baking today, as it'll keep the kids busy and also provide them with some snacks. Need to keep an eye on elec usage too though, so not sure i'll be able to do it that often.

sefilby

CountingPennies wrote: »

This is the dilemma i have found myself in a couple of times this month. I've ended up trying to stick to budget. So unless its something you NEED, i would stick to under £25, or else you just buying for the sake of buying (or at least thats what i would have done, which is why i'm on this challenge in the first place :rotfl: )

CP xx

Thanks CP - I'm glad I'm not the one who had to think about it!

I'm going to sit down & write what I need this week. Then another list for next week, see if can get a both out of it. Thus splitting the cost between july & august. I may be spending it now but won't (going to try really hard not to) spend it next week. If I buy the "dry" shop in advance then top up with little fresh shops as and when needed?

Oh I don't know!:mad: lol!

CountingPennies

sefilby wrote: »

Thanks CP - I'm glad I'm not the one who had to think about it!

I'm going to sit down & write what I need this week. Then another list for next week, see if can get a both out of it. Thus splitting the cost between july & august. I may be spending it now but won't (going to try really hard not to) spend it next week. If I buy the "dry" shop in advance then top up with little fresh shops as and when needed?

Oh I don't know!:mad: lol!

You sound EXACTLY like me! My dilemma at the minute is I have around £80 left in the budget and get paid in a week. I'm amazed, as i have plenty of food in and should only need to spend around another £20 this week for bread/milk/fruit/veg. Now should i use the remaining to try out approved foods? Or shall i pay it off a bill/debt?? I really want to try AP, so was considering just getting snacks and bits for my holiday for next month, which means next month i might be able to stretch the budget out more so we can have more treats on holiday. Does that make sense?? Oh i don't know what to do either! :rotfl:

If spending more this week for you results in an overspend, but your buying stuff for next month, then why not buy it and whatever you overspend , reduce it from next months budget (as you would have been buying it then anyway).

I know, i'm not much help, but can totally see where your coming from.

CP xx

Suffolk_lass

I am declaring today as we will be away for the rest of July and therefore no more shopping. We are back in the green for GC on our annual (just) with 57.57 out of 58.33% spent. I need to make savings or there will be no extras for Christmas and we already have 8 confirmed.

All the best
SL

AimingForBetter

Hi everyone

Just added up the receipts for recent spends total is £137.62 to add on which takes us over but does include lots of ice lollies and salad stuff which I hadn't anticipated needing!

Got a few good YS bargains in local Tesc Xprs - 3 x posh bread for 20p a loaf and pack of 2 decent size british pork chops for 44p . Also went YS hunting in W/rose and picked up some reduced fish and other bits so have added several things to the freezer for very little.

On the plus side, as it's been so hot we haven't eaten a great deal of anything so stocks remain pretty good and won't need to get too much next shop!

Need some milk and possibly more bread but that should be about it for July as next big shop will be from the Aug budget.

Overall the reduced budget target of £200 is just about doable and so will keep to that next month.

AFB

malamay

I went over budget today. Mr T has some petrol voucher offers on that I took advantage of. We now have enough cereal for a couple of months, as what we buy was on offer anyhow.

The savings on diesel will probably make up for the overspend, but as I feel I've gotten a good deal I'm not too bothered.

Still another week to go, and we will need milk.

sheeppappar

Hello -- hope you are all well.. can't believe it's nearly Aug already!

just after some advice again! Is there a particular time you find it good to go to sainsbury's for YS bargains? I know especially MrsCautious you seem to go there a lot.. am sure there has been some discussion about best times to go but I can't find the conversation although I've looked..

Anyway the reason for asking is that I have a voucher for money off and about 99% of my spend is going to be booze for a family party at the weekend (MIL and FIL paying so not coming from our budget) .. but thought I may as well get some bargains for myself while I'm in too...

In other news I did my weekly shop at the new tesco extra that has just opened near(ish) to me.. It is lovely and all the value ranges are easy to find if you make sure you look.. but I don't think I'll be going back.. I was in there over an hour wandering round!! I love aldi + lidl for the fact that they are small + you get in + out within 10-15 mins.. and less possibility for deviating from the list. The cost of my shopping wasn't too bad but still feel like I'd have got more for my money elsewhere ... I did manage to find beans / tomatoes at the same price as the everyday value range hiding away in the "world foods" aisle though - a lot more interesting choice as well. I think I will venture back there for spices / exciting food like what that NickJW cooks but not for my normal shop !