August 2013 Grocery Challenge

cattysmum

Hello all, well I have not done too badly for August, we were away on holiday last week so used my GC as normal for the week but any extra we spent on food, eating out etc. came from holiday budget. Just in the process of totting up and it looks like Im more or less on target with my budget for August as I have £15 left in grocery bank account, which I will use before I get paid on Friday so I will say that my spend for August has been £200 which Im really happy about. Right am popping off to September thread and to read back to see if I have missed any scrummy recipies. Thanks to the Mods and everyone who keeps thread running smoothly, dont know what I would do without this thread to keep me in check I would certainly be spending a lot more money.

girlatplay

Last Wednesday (I haven't had a chance to update since then) I spent a total of £38.41 in Mr M's on this week's shop. Week and month end tomorrow and I have nothing else to buy so I declare a grand total of £155.88 for August's challenge. That is £4.12 under budget I am pleased with that as I have reduced my budget to what I think is manageable already, I joined the challenge as I wanted to stay within budget, not always a strong point with me

I won't join September's challenge as I am going into hospital for an operation on Wednesday and things will be a bit up in the air for recovery. I will have people running around after me and cooking me stuff . On the bright side, I will be in hospital for around 5 days so that is 5 days worth of groceries I don't have to buy :j. On the not so bright side, that means 5 days worth of hospital food .

I have been loving reading everyone's posts and getting loads of ideas so I will be back to join you all in October's challenge and I am really looking forward to it!

gap

mothershipton

just totted up this month, 361 so not that bad. However there is probably going to be another shop this month so probably over 400 again. Im spending a lot on snacks so might cut back on this and leave the kids to buy their own! they are 15 and 20 and have lots of their own money...

NickJW

I hope that everything goes okay girlatplay

Spent £12.95 in M+S today, but finally made use of my £10 Groupon voucher which cost me £5.

So the total bill was £5 + £2.95 regular money (£7.95 total)

For that I got everything I need for lunches at work this week plus a few staples needed for dinners. Spends, if all goes to plan, should be zero or minimal until payday on the 2nd Sept!

Will update signature.

hollieinbloom

All budget gone! We spent it all and I am using up all the veggies and stuff today. Just made a vegetarian chicken and vegetable pie. I used some green beans from OH's mums garden, carrots, potatoes, veggie chicken pieces and some philli cheese. It smells so scrummy I can't wait to eat it!.

We have a tonne of food in the cupboards so we actually need to use it up before we go shopping again as there isn't any room left. Too many tinned veggies and beans sounds like a thick veggie soup will be coming up tomorrow for tea with some half baked rolls from the freezer xx

elsiepac

Hi all

Just a very quick update as I've posted in September ready to go!!

Declaring August a big fat fail with around £180ish / £110

Epic fail really! But mostly convenience food buying due to poor planning when I know I'm likely to be working extra hours! So I need to remedy that pronto!

Well done all for August and good luck for September!

LC x

angelatgraceland

Peggybabcot wrote: »

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

Well the good news is that you CAN actualy get it down to £100 per week for four adults! However-you need to care for yourself for the next 6 weeks and everyone else has to get into this plan with you! I've made it a life-change-I shop a certain way not from necessity but from seeing the benefits. A lot of us in this group I believe have "become foodies" but in a money-saving way. We experiment with things and enjoy far more variety than ever before. I go to a restaurant and so often return thinking "well that was nice but ours is better".
When you get back to work do stick with your quest! You can then put those savings towards the holiday-I am guessing a couple of holidays each year. If you actually do manage to get down to £100 per week that is a saving of £3640 per year! Set your plan in action and make your wish list! Someone I know did this when she gave up smoking-she now has a cruise booked! This may be the turning point in your life-sometimes things go pear-shaped and we have to make changes-let them be positive! good luck and get better soon!

Sequeena

Waiting for a £51.17 tesco shop. Stocked back up but do need pet food which will cost another £20 at least.

Now up to £179.37/£250 with just under 2 weeks to go. We'll make it but it's not accurate because my OH forgets the receipt!

smokies

Ok went a little over today £7.95, on the positive side I shouldn't need to spend anymore on Food this week as its only 3 days left...

So must tighten my spends in "my" money as this is where the over spent money came from.....

Feel like robbing peter to pay Paul ....

have updated my Sig

angelatgraceland

I am now making dog biscuits by the second recipe on the list. however-Ive set my quantities as my pizza recipe plus the egg and an extra bit of flour as Im not sure about using cup measurements. I will let you all know how it turns out!