July 2007 Grocery Challenge

mikeD

Curv wrote: »

Hands up if you think I'm taking this a bit too seriously...

Sitting on hands!

I'm in again this month. Went over a bit in June but not to worry, shall keep on trying at £55 pw for 2 adults and 48yr old DS. Next big shop at Mr t online next Wednesday. Have a couple of vouchers but they only give you more points.

By the way Mr T will deliver without bags now and they say the delivery man should unload the boxes but one should help him. On my last delivery where I had specified no bags the delivery man refused to unload the boxes saying that all he had to do was bring the boxes in. I don't really want to complain as I like a to keep good relationship with with the tradesmen. Am I right?

Good luck to one and all.

flanno_2

I recently discovered MSE and am hooked

Started the June GC on 12th June but it hasn't quite worked out as expected. However, I'm ready and willing to try again for July. Will be going on vacation on 14th July but its self catering and we are going to our holiday home in Kerry so should be able to keep tabs on the budget.

I have really learned lots from this site, even if a lot of the stuff dosnt apply in Rep of Ireland however, being money savvy applies no matter where you are in the world!!

:j Flanno alias Marie.

BerkshireBird

Hi Everyone, count me in.
Officially started this week after several weeks of strange meals, using up freezer stuff.
Went to Lidl followed by Asda to get stuff Lidl don't do, Spent £48 instead of usual £90!!! Completely amazed. A friend has tracked down an Aldi not too far away so will try there next week for a bit of variety. Any tips for best days?
Best bargains?

Bought Martin's book from Play and it arrived yesterday, I've read it already!
Obviously not thoroughly so will read again and digest properly this time.
I'm becoming MSE bore already.

Don't know if I can stay that low every week so will aim for £60 per week (that's for 2 adults and 2 pre teens, 1 cat and 2 guinea pigs). Sound reasonable?

Good luck.

Curv

GreenNinja wrote: »

£10.50 worth of vouchers! where do you find these elusive things? ... Please divulge your secret! :j

They were clubcard vouchers ... it's probably a bit frivolous to use them on groceries when we could get 4 x their value by using them elsewhere, but we don't go to theme parks or get out to many restaurants - with 2 kids under 18 months babysitters are hard to come by! So it seems better to use them at the checkout rather than not at all.

Having said that, I was on the freebies board this morning and thanks to a couple of the links on there, I'll be getting some Huggies vouchers soon and also some Kingsmill vouchers... give it a go

Curv x

P.S. the Kingsmill thing really works - I've just this second had an email back from them asking for my address so they can post the vouchers :j

lil_me

Curv - with the vouchers, even selling them on ebay you could get more. I have sold a set almost out of date for over double the face value, just converted them for the buyer then sent them out, worth looking into. The ones for Blackpool Pleasure Beach already converted also seem to go for a lot at this time of year. Days out ones can aswell, that is what I'm doing with mine this year for sealife centres, zoos etc.

Mike, to be honest I think I would 'enquire' about the policy and what the driver is supposed to do. I always feel guilty shopping a member of staff but if that's what they are supposed to do, it's his job, he should do it.

Curv

Wow... lil, I had no idea you could do that! How naive am I?! Next time I'll do it - thanks ever so much.

And I agree, Mike... they ought not to offer a service if they don't tell their staff about it. Or maybe the guy was pulling a fast one... either way, there's potentially a training issue and they might be ever so grateful you brought it to their attention.

irishwexford

I am ready for July. Usually spend £200 + for two of us but am allowing £160. Made menu plan and will spend just what I need for these meals. Made a few meals in advance so hopefully will keep within budget. I decided to just use this money for food and household items, things like make up and personal spending I will pay for from own money and when I get this budget in line I will try it with my personal spending. I have had two good weeks of just sticking to buying what I need and planning meals and the best part is no food thrown out. I am really enjoying this. Thanks:T

Nova5

MikeD - I would definitely complain as you are not receiving the service that you'd expect from them - you are paying a delivery charge and I believe that Tesco's are usually hot on customer service. My usual delivery driver is female and does not have a problem lifting the boxes into my kitchen while I unpack them onto the work surface or kitchen table. A while ago a different driver appeared and hinted that it was all a lot more hassle getting no bags, but I'm more interested in doing my bit for the planet, (more clubcard points help too!), than saving a bit of hassle.

This is, of course, my opinion and I complain about everything! :mad:

I also make a point of contacting organisations when I think I have received exceptional customer service.

lindsaygalaxy

Hi

Im in, I always say im gonna do it, but after a week i forget to keep track. but july is VERY poor month for me so need to save lots. or me and my 2 year old, includin packed lunches for us ( my mum looks after her half the week, nursery other half) im gonna go for £35 a week including toiletries.

vixtress

went over budget by about £50 in june :eek: its the first time ive been over for months and i did need a lot so it prob wasnt that realistic, it was also my first 3 weeks of getting my veggie box and i hadnt accounted for that in budget so this moth should be better.

well my cupboards and freezer are still full so i am budgetting £164.....strange amount i know but £64 is 4x£16 that is my veggie box, this leaves £25 a week for everything else, i know this doesnt sound much but we really have got tonnes in so it should be plenty.

good luck