July 2007 Grocery Challenge

Gemma7_2

Redsquirrel i keep meaning to go to the market too is it cheaper to but fruit and veg that way? i used to go at the end and bag the bargain bowls but havent been for ages.
I can't get my twins pushchair our butchers but also i'm vegetarian but my little boys eat meat, i don't mind cooking it but the smell of a butchers is too much for me to bare! lol

lil_me

Gemma7 I'm trying to cut 10% off at a time until I get comfortable, now I've knocked another 10% off to test myself. Admittedly I did start by cutting mine in half and did it in December, possibly the worst time and was a real cold turkey as such for us, I was spending around 700-800 a month however, this was excessive and was a lot of ready made foods and take outs so once I knocked that on the head was better.

mikeD

Welcome newbies. Hope you have fun In this emporium of economic savviness.

Haven't spent much since last post only some bread and milk. Did have to lash out on a new filter for the water jug. We've been having tiny black coming out of our mains tap lately and the DW (who is extremely fussy) has had me buying bottled water. But this is far too expensive don't you think.

We've also got the breadmaker out and started to make our own again, so much nicer that the sliced wrapped stuff we buy fro the local convenience store. Not too sure if it's cheaper though after taking into account the power use.

We've got 8 tins of tomatoes which we got on special off from Mr T. I can make tomato sauce for pasta and I sometimes cook sausages in toamtoes with harbs and spices, but that's where my cooking skills end. Any ideas folks. Suppose I could look at the recipes threads but I got to go and get the lunch now.

lil_me

I use a water filter rather than buying bottled usually Mike, I personally wouldn't drink it without filtering it from my taps after seeing what has come out of it in the past. I have a Brita one but there are cheaper ones out there.

Curv

I have a Brita water filter too... I've been filtering so long that I can't stand it straight from the tap anymore. Anyway, last month I tried Tesco's own brand 'universal' filter cartridge - works a treat and the water tastes just the same as from a Brita filter but for about two thirds of the price

lil_me

Will have a look at those Curv, mines the Maxima type I think it's called, thanks for the tip hopefully they'll fit mine as I've been buying them on 3 for 2 in Argos, still expensive however. They reckon it works out something like 3-4p a litre which isn't too bad I suppose.

Bobbykins

Blimey, you guys make me realise how lucky I am....DH works in the local Victorian "spa" town. There is a huge bottling plant there, but there is also a free spring outlet in the town centre. So, every week he takes a load of empty bottles and fills up for free!!

They charge 50p a litre for it at Sainsbury!!!!

As you can see from my signature, it looks like I'm going to come in under budget! ( after all my panicking!) It's all sort of "come together" at the last minute and the stuff I've got in stock will easily see us through to the end of the week. I may just need a little bit of fresh fruit, we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for all your support to me in my first attempt....you've been so helpful and come up with some really good tips.

Bring on August!

Gemma7_2

I've followed everyones advice and tomorrow i'm off to do a trial run at a cheaper shop armed with my shopping list from my weeks meal plans! I'm really looking forward to it which is really unusual as you can imagine shopping with 20month old twins isn't fun!! I'm all set to start my pms challenge to!

sharon59

am really chuffed as have done all my meals this month as planned and am in budget.this week as hubby came shopping and needed educating!the cupboards are still stockrd and freezer not empty still so proves l bought too much in past.!

millionaire_in_training

omg omg !! I think I might just do this this month. Going away for weekend but shouldnt cost too much in fact I'll make sure it doesn't. Very excited about this. :j