July 2007 Grocery Challenge

Bobbykins

Hi Guys.....oh dear, oh dear oh dear.....My first month of the challenge and already I'm thinking I'm not going to make it .

I've got a budget of £200 for the month and I thought this was quite achievable seeing as I spent the last month batch cooking and had plenty in the freezers.

Went away in our caravan last week so I had allowed for the fact that I would have to buy quite a lot of ready meals when we were away but was horrified when I got to the til at Morrisons and had spent £45.00 :eek: :eek: for 5 days food.

Then, when we got home yesterday, realised I needed some basics and bobbed into Aldi. Then into Sainsbury's today for a couple of bits (ha, ha....over £20.00!)

I've been reading what you guys were saying about only going once a week, having a list and sticking to it etc. and I guess that's my answer.

Trouble is, I see stuff on offer and end up buying it for my storecupboard.....still, I suppose that is being thrifty in a roundabout way isn't it???? (somebody please say yes, just to cheer me up and stop me feeling a failure!)

In fact, I think I'll deduct the stuff I've bought on special offer from this months "spend", as it's in the cupboard for next month and all of it was at good prices.....maybe that will make me feel a bit better, or is that cheating????

teedy23

hello boys and girls, havent been on for a few days. Very stressy time at work, but hopefully calmed down now. Been quite a good girl and only bought milk this week so far, But didnt do all my cooking and freezing, so will have to get ripped in tmrw, or risk losing a lot of my fresh stuff. Hello to all the newbees on the thread, if you stick in you,ll soon see a difference.
BOBBYKINS, your not a failure at all. The first step is taking note of what your buying, achieved, then working with it to reduce you overall spending. Dont overstock, but if you do, you know you have plenty and you can take a whole week without shopping at all. it will all work out in the end. Best not to deduct from what you,ve spent so far, better to see ho little your going to spend in the coming month, that will boost you no end. Good luck

misery-able

Well, I've done all of my shopping for the month - we're going on holiday on monday for a fortnight - yippee!!! I have gone over my budget by £3.92 which was disappointing BUT have been quietly doing the pms challenge as well for the first time and a huge saving of £31.29 for the month (fortnight) so am realy really chuffed about that, plus the freezer is (almost) full so hopefully will have a cheapish month in August, will join the next challenge when I get back from the sun! Hope you all achieve your goals!

shell2001

Well after a few top up shops in somerfield I now have £130 left of my £330 budget. I have done a meal plan up to the end of the month and have all the main ingredients in the freezer/storecupboard so it should just be milk, veg and fruit. Still have quiet a bit of fruit in too so should be ok there.

We are meant to be having a bbq (have invited the in-laws round) so a chunk will go on that, although a tray of chicken breast and pork steaks from the butcher will only be a tenner. Will get DH to get his mum to bring the ribs. I have sausages in the freezer so just rolls to make, salad and potatoes and sorted. May make victoria cream sponge for afters (just the cream to buy that way). Now I have got it all sorted in my head it will probably rain!

Need to cut down the trips to somerfield though, especially with DD1 as got conned into buying babybels (tasteless rip off if ever there was) and laughing cow dippers - gggrrrrr. Caught in a week moment. Have kept all receipts so will go through at end of month as see where I can cut back further.

Shortie

Hi

Very quick update from me as I'm on 'shower stop' at home. DS was admitted to hospital last night with what they believe is gastroenteritus (hmmmm... definately looks like it's spelt wrong). As he's Type 1 diabetic and his readings and temp are all over the place, they're keeping him in. We've been told to expect until at least till the end of the weekend :eek:

Anyhow, mu Mum as gotten into coupon combining etc at Mr Ts so has been getting my shopping free or really cheaply for me. Yesterday was the first spend since last weekend, at £1.47. I'll update the sig in a mo.

Not sure what other shopping we'll be getting (if any) but next weekend we're away for a long weekend with friends (depending on DS ofcourse) but that's out of next month's budget (we run 19th-18th of each month).

Home now to freshen up and I'm cooking yesterday's dinner (not wasting the now defrosted meat!!) and cooking up the other meat I defrosted yesterday for tonight's dinner, which is chicken noodles with veg.

rosieben

Well done Shortie, hope your son is well soon and that you enjoy your weekend away

Linda32

Hello all,

Previous total £122.54 - finish 27th July - Budget £265.00

Tesco £22.62
Co-op £6.11
Co-op £3.00
Co-op £7.96

Total £162.23

Deffinately doing a bulk shop of dry goods at the beginning of the month has helped. :T

teedy23

hope all goes well with son shortie

Solwaykid

Bobbykins wrote: »

Trouble is, I see stuff on offer and end up buying it for my storecupboard.....still, I suppose that is being thrifty in a roundabout way isn't it???? (somebody please say yes, just to cheer me up and stop me feeling a failure!)
In fact, I think I'll deduct the stuff I've bought on special offer from this months "spend", as it's in the cupboard for next month and all of it was at good prices.....maybe that will make me feel a bit better, or is that cheating????

Yes it's still being thrifty and no it's not cheating! There now..

I work on this kind of logic too, one month I overspend ,the following I underspend etc etc. If there's just one or two of you I figure it makes sense to still buy bulk of the basics (more initial outlay but cheaper in the long run) and special offers (though they are only offers if it's something you'd normally buy). Then if it takes you a couple of months to get through them all and you don't keep stocking up on more of the same you're still on to a winner!!

I spent all of this week's £30 in one shopping trip. It did include washing powder - which lasts for 2 months- and bogroll bargains. I bought a chicken which has so far done (just me at home) Sunday roast, Monday and Wednesday sarnies for work, Chicken, chickpea and spinach bhuna Tuesday (with 3 portions for the freezer), 2 litres of stock and was so fed up of chicken the cats had a mid week treat with the rest of the leg meat!
I did have to borrow £2 from myself for milk but that'll come off next week's £30.

Hope you're all doing well. Don't beat yourselves up too much if you're not.
Catch up in a week's time.

lil_me

If your kids dislike the rice crispies for brekkie why not make them into crispies cakes etc? I also mix cheap ones in with my museli.

Shortie hope your DS is feeling better soon, bless him, I know a few kids with diabetes and it can be such a rollercoaster at times.

Bobbykins don't give up just yet, I've seen my totals at similar levels mid month and haven't gone over.

Need to find receipts as bought for other people today aswell, I have spent quite a bit I think, will be close to budget I think.

I really need to get on top of the impulse and unneeded spending, have about 16 chicken breasts in freezer but went to buy fresh ones as I forgot to take some out for dinner, must get more organised!!!