February 2014 Grocery Challenge

Ladyluck1

twigpig wrote: »

Hi everyone, I remember doing the GC challenge years ago (before I moved to this new id as i was trying to conceive) and need to get back into the habit. I still track all my spends and my shopping has crept up to a staggering amount! I'm at work and budget sheets are at home, but think I'm pushing the £450 this month! I won't declare yet as I'll still buy some things before my month ends......

I'm thinking £200-£250 as a new starting point, but would appreciate advice on anyone with similar families. There's me, hubby, a 2 year old and another baby due in 7 weeks. My 2 yo has a lactose intolerance, so he has some special requirements, but in all honesty, I don't think that adds too much extra to my budget.

My budget is pretty much everything except petrol. So my budget covers toiletries, cleaning stuff, nappies, clothes, birthdays, eating out or anything else that crops up.

Is there anyone else with a similar family size, and budget inclusions that can tell me if my target is a realistic starting point.

My month starts around the 26th of the month so I hope I can work out a sensible target ready to start the March challenge on Monday.

Thanks ladies, looking forward to March. :beer:

Similar family size;
Me, DH, 3 yo DS and 3 month old DD.
We generally spend £130 a month and this sometimes includes nappies.
I buy nappies and wipes from aldi or amazon as they are cheaper. Also shop between aldi/lidl and coop for reductions as they are mostly good!
We eat well, a few veggie options and I look out for reduced meat/fish and ready meals if very cheap almost daily as I can walk to the shop

Frugalsod

I have done well this week with NSD's. With a full set of cupboards I hope to make next month an even better month for NSD's.

twigpig

Thanks ladyluck - I would be amazed if I could get close to £130! I'll watch your updates with eagerness. I think from memory, before little one came, hubby and I were under £200 - maybe something like £160 when I was actually trying to spend less :rotfl:

I'm a big stock piler so tend to bulk buys offers. It does save money long term but does mess with my budget a bit. Tend to shop in most supermarkets but do have a 10% off discount at Morrisons as family member works there.

I've found a decent sainsbury's nearby in the last few weeks too that I often pick up ys items, so hoping this will be a help to us too, while it lasts....

poppycracker

my new month started today as its payday, but the March GC is not up yet so I will just update my signature until it appears. Declared last week at just over my target.

lushlifesaver

Lunchtime walk resulted in popping in to Mr M's for a colleague and I bought myself...a 30p bottle of squash for my desk at work and that's it! Despite some YS bargains to be had I resisted as we have lots of food at home to be getting through! proud of myself haha


Bf is away for a training camp and a 2.5 day tournament in March and I'm only working another 3 weeks after this so hoping March will be a fairly cheap month. Will need to send bf with some supplies though to make sure he eats something during the day at the competition (he has a nasty habit of eating brekkie then nothing until tea time unless I remind him!) .. not sure what I'll be sending him with.


Declaring February as complete now as the next few days are guaranteed NSDs (taking me over my target of 15!) so total spend has been £74.83!! A grand 17p under my tight budget.


Can't wait for the March thread to go up

LESLAMP

Well I think I'm still within my budget but not sure as had a few days where I couldn't get about so hubby took over the kitchen and things went a bit to pot. Great as in at least he didn't resort to takeaway every night but I did lose track of what was spent LOL :rotfl:

Might try and get a rough idea this evening once I get back from puppy classes.

Did get a helping hand today as Quidco are offering a £15 off £60 shop at Tesco code. Also you get £5 cashback . What with that and a £3 off a £15 spend on household cleaning products a £71 shop cost me £51.00 and I've stocked up on cleaning stuff for the next couple of months.

Sequeena

Today is my last day of my February budget and it is my best month ever. I'm under budget by almost £70, that's a weeks budget! So I'm going to reduce my budget by £10 a week for March. See you on the March thread

mouche

Hi twigpig...we are two adults and a two year old and our budget is £175 with another £50 for eating out and another £10-ish for nappies. So I think your thought of £250 is spot on.

newthrift

Well today was my first proper food shop day on a budget (as I didn't see the grocery challenge until last week, so today is like a dry run on a budget and going to properly start on March next week). I set a budget of £200 per month (£50 per week) and today I have spent £38.49, £11.51 under budget YAY!!:j


I have still got to get my beef for Sunday and 500g mince but I think this should only come to £10 and I did have to buy 4 x birthday cards which I have included in my working. Fingers crossed next month I stop in budget every week!!!

Ches

Smallish shop of £22.65 in Lidl today which should be the last shop in February so well under budget. Very pleased with this as I have a full cupboard and freezer which will be enough to see us through to the 28th. Should also have enough in to start March on the 3rd. We are away the days in between so not planning a big shop until about the 10th.