August 2013 Grocery Challenge

couponchaos

Spent £30 between lidl and tescos. Will update signature.

smokies

Just been to Mr S needed Milk (thought what I had left would have lasted, silly me to even think that)

Spent 2.79 on two morning roll, 4 pint Milk and a paper

she_who_can_not_cook

I have been doing so well then this morning i asked for a lift from him . To farmfood and lidi. Got the very cheap bacon and from lidl got crisps and salami.

Mrs-s_4

Spent £8.80 in mr s on Friday, on a huge bottle of surf for £5, iced tea, carton drinks and sour cream.
Need to go to co*p tomorrow for milk and maybe bread.
Will update sig!

CountingPennies

*sneaks in*.....

Had a fab holiday, been back a week, but don't dare add all my reciepts. I know i have gone crazy. No money left, get paid Thursday, will tally up and check in later. Lots of post for me to catch up on!

.... *sneaks back out*

lizalloareds

spends today £11.94

£2.72 Ald*
£4.08 Mr A
£2.37 FF
£2.77 £S

K9sandFelines

NSD at long last

Peggybabcot

angelatgraceland wrote: »

Yes you did try a rather big leap! On the plus side you must have been spending a lot before and you are sure to have done somewhat better! How many of there are you? £170 sounds a lot to me? If you just tried £150 per weeks it would give you chance to adjust and then maybe knock off another £10 per week until you feel you are comfortable with the result. You may have to be extra firm with OH and the kids on your spending if you want to reduce it. I would introduce the 8 day week if you can-that is, say you shop on a Friday-wait until Saturday-or make your weeks shopping money last 8 days instead of 7. The NSDs(no spending days)are essential for success I think-they teach self control. you may have 3 or 4 things on your list but ask yourself-do I really need these today or could I wait until tomorrow? This will also save time and fuel as you will be doing less journeys. It helps to stop impulse buying-if you hold back a day you may not buy some of the items.
If you can plan 2 days of meals from your stock cupboards and make them NSds you will saved £28.50 on a £100 pw budget or £48.60 on a budget of £170.

Thanks there's some good advice I can work on. The huge drop was out of necessity really as I was due to have 6 weeks off work due to an operation (self employed so no income coming in from me just OH) but one operation turned into 3 and under strict orders to not go back to work until November and I've been off since February so the money we do have is having to stretch much further than we expected. The £170 per week wasn't an issue before as we're foodies but we don't drink, smoke or go out much so it was our treat. Obviously that changed. There are 4 adults to feed, I cook everything from scratch and I meal plan. Because I enjoy cooking SO much I'm always trying new recipes, maybe it's time to stick to some tried and tested (cheap) recipes for a while. Like you say, next month I'll try and shave £10 off per week what my total was for this month. I'm also hoping that by the time I do get back to work I won't slip back into my old ways and be able to save for a very much needed holiday. Because of my operations this year and 1 last year, we haven't been camping since 2011 and I'm getting withdrawal from living under canvas. Lets hope I do better next month eh? X

Florenceem

Off to September thread.

b_girl

Gone over budget by spending £28.44 in last shop of the month

Need to try harder next month especially as I'm back at work after maternity and need to get organised. On to September! (Can't believe how fast this year is going!) :eek: