October 2013 Grocery Challenge

Peggybabcot

Just a thought but I've been reading how many of you have lost track of your spends so I thought I'd share what I do. Although it might not help everyone, some of you may benefit. I have a free app called account tracker and it allows you to have as many accounts as you wish so I have my current account, my savings account as well as my petrol and GC account. I operate it like the envelope system in so far as I add a virtual amount to my GC account at the beginning of the month and every time I spend anything I deduct it from this account. This way I know exactly how much I have left. HTH.
My October challenge doesn't start until Friday but hubby announced he's getting 20% staff discount at Mr S for a few days this week so rather than doing a weekly shop I've rejigged everything and I'm going to do a monthly shop on Friday. Usually we shop at Aldi and only buy what we can't get there, at Mr S but the 20% discount has made a few more items cheaper at Mr S this week. I'm only going to bulk buy non perishable/non treat like stuff because if I bought enough crisps say for the month they'd be gone within the week and that would be no way to save money! This'll mean we only have to buy fresh stuff weekly thereafter and we haven't done our shopping like this since 1996. It's a bit of an experiment to see if this works better for us or not. Time will tell Anyone else do their shopping like this? Any tips? x

lynnejk

mam_of_five wrote: »

Hi, another newbie here,
need to drastically cut my food budget down.

Just to say welcome and you will find loads of help on here

robberbutton wrote: »

Scones are a good snack, and really easy to make. You can add different things like cheese or raisins. My fave recipe is Nigella's - recipe posted here.

I used to give my kids a slice of toast and marmite and a few nuts and raisins. We also used to make our own crisps in the fryer sometimes.

Nicki_Sue wrote: »

My October starts on Thursday but a quick question for you - what do you all put in sandwiches for packed lunches? ).

My DH has cold meat from Al*i. They do lots of different stuff at 99p a packet. Also get crisps and stuff like wrapped biscuits from Home B. They do cheap ranges which are just like named brands.

I also have a problem doing the LARGE RED AND BOLD as can't find how to get type any larger - wish same went for my hips :rotfl:

Start new month today - so good luck everyone and hope we all come in under budget

L.

MummyBobble

Well, having failed miserably to live out of the cupboards/fridge/freezer in September I am starting my grocery challenge properly from today. I am going to aim for £200 for the month for myself and DD15 and DS13. Not sure yet if October half term holiday is likely to scupper the plan or help. When they're on school holidays they sleep more and eat less, and a packet of smartprice noodles is much cheaper than a school dinner :rotfl:

I'm home all day tomorrow having a new boiler fitted so will take the opportunity to check stocks and meal plan. Hoping not to have to buy anything other than milk before the weekend. DD and DS are at their grandparents Friday night/Saturday and will have tea there both days so hopefully very little spend this week

One day I will get a grip!

Note to self - you do not need any more jars of smartprice curry sauce, 27 is more than sufficient :eek:

CH27

I had a NSD yesterday & will have another today as i'm carless.

sneakyspender

Hello all.
Not quite a newbie but not been around for a while. (Building works in kitchen so meal planning /storage challenging to say the least) Anyway back to school etc and need to get back on track, with fully functional kitchen. So aiming to spend £300 in October (shouldn't need much household this month)this includes lunches for me and dh, dcs like school dinners. Just finished meal planning for this week. Off to Lidl.

XSpender

My total is a very scary £302.98 leaving me £72.02 to cover 21 days:eek: In reality all I need is milk, bread and fruit and the odd fresh ingredient. It is certainly do able but I am not sure I am actually capable of doing it.:o:(

I have created a detailed meal plan for the month but have hardly stuck to it for over a week, I have rejigged it and we still had something different last night:mad:

This month (started 20th Sept) I have included absoloutley every penny spent such as a can of pop bought at the garage, spends in the work canteen, 3 months worth of vitamins, a clothes horse and £12 of medicine for the new fish. It soon adds up:eek:

We have 50+ sausages, 1.5 lb of mince and 22 chicken breasts, lots of frozen veg and baking supplies so I dont think we will starve if I stick to my budget. I need to be stricter about buying snacks at the supermarket and food out. If I make sure DH is fed before we go anywhere and take some juice this should help. Or I make him use his own spending money.

I also need to start making the meal that is on the plan as soon as I get in, this way I cannot be swayed to make something else and DH will happily eat it if I put it in front of him.

Tonight I am planning to make spicy bacon pasta bake with HM garlic bread and have some of the lemon cake from the weekend with custard and some extra lemon sauce.

K9sandFelines

K9sandFelines wrote: »

Also just signed up for Mr T anytime delivery saver for half price via a code on hotukdeals (please shout if anyone would like it) as I prefer them to Mr A. So need to add a third of that which is £6.

Just adding this to sig as haven't so far, and don't want to forget to do it. I need milk today (can't believe twelve pints have gone since Saturday!), cucumber and iceberg if i can find any cheap enough ( wish i had remembered to put it on the Mr.A shop as it's only 50p there). However, i have to wait in today for a courier collection, so will either have to nip out later or do without.

dreamingofmoney

Hiya

After a distasterous Sept i am totally onboard for Oct (need to be truth be told). Have got 2 totally jam packed freezers, a full tin cupboard so if i fail it will be down to me not being organised. Must keep at it and must try my best.

Good Luck to All

£250 please

Many Thanks

want2Bfrugal

Today I don't plan to spend any money. I have pasta and meatballs planned for to night - all out of the freezer.

sefilby

spend of £5 on pork loins 8 in a pack so will cover two meals, nappies x 2 @ £1.41 each + 1 pack value wipes 46p minus price promise voucher 22p & 35p off Mr T value nappies 35p - total spend for the weekend £7.71 woop!