May 2014 Grocery Challenge

mountainash_2

Hello everyone!

Had a pretty good week this week! Had overspent the week before due to DS2s birthday and party which I had forgotten about when I started this (D'oh!) but was hopeful that I would be able to have a reduced budget this week and bring my finances back in line.

Well, I went through the freezer and fridge and got creative and think I have manged to fix it all! Hurrah! That is if nothing major happens in the next few days as the budget is going to be down to pence! Have had several NSDs so really pleased with myself!

I also think we have all eaten better too. And that includes DS1 who can be quite awkward with new foods.

All in all, very pleased so far!

Hope you are all enjoying your budgeting as much as me!

mountainash_2

Forgot to add, we have had great fun planting loads of vegetable seeds too. Over the last ten days or so, they have all, bar one (chillis which we weren't overly bothered about growing anyway) sprouted and are flourishing! A few more weeks and we will have loads of "free" vegetables! Also, most of the seeds were old ones we found in the cupboard or we split the cost with my Mum, so they really do feel like super bargains. on top of that, my DSs will be learning about the world and (hopefully!) trying more new foods! Hurrah!

physicsgirl

Haven't posted in ages and have 10 pages of posts to catch up on :eek: (although not as bad as I thought it might be!)

Spent 99p in Waitrose on Saturday - 40p for 8 YS croissants and 59p for 8 YS crumpets. I wouldn't usually have gone in but only recently found out that the little Waitr0se near me now has a self-service coffee machine so I can get my free tea/coffee there! Not sure how long I've been missing out on that, but intend to make up for lost time :beer:

Also spent £10.50 in Sainsbobs on YS scones and the Indian/Chinese 4 meains/2sides meal deal. I think it's a sign of how frugal I've become that I felt really naughty spending £10 on two dinners!

Florenceem

I had 5 pages to catch up with - been awol. Kept a very tight grip on the purse strings as usual.
Today is the start of my next 4 weeks budget so I am declaring for May at £59.51.

Florenceem

mumofthetwins wrote: »

Well another NSD for me ...

I work at a carboot sale and the burger van was gonna ditch a load of uncooked burgers as they couldn't refreeze .... so burgers for dinner and I cooked the other 25 and froze for next weekends bbq ... also made Tiffin cake and soup for next weeks packed lunches ... I'm starting to get organised
Lisa x

Well Done! That's the way to be frugal. Always grab an opportunity to save money.

Florenceem

Just a little illustration of how I manage to be so frugal with my grocery budget -
I bought a cabbage - whoops for 16p at Mr A - it weighed 700g. (I will not waste much at all - stalks can go in casseroles/stirfrys.) I was walking back from Mr A with a friend - around same age as me - 60s. She buys Mr A frozen cabbage - £1 for a bag - 750g. No way would I eat frozen cabbage anyway but the difference in cost is striking. The original price of my fresh cabbage was 50p so still much cheaper than the frozen.

earningNsaving

Would it be possible to add me in for this month too?

We desperately need to cut our grocery bills down, going from an average £70-80 a week for 2 people (so approx £280-£320 a month). I decided enough was enough last week and am now trying to eat a lot healthier and want to make as much as possible from scratch.

I have succeeded this week already. We only spent approx £45 so very pleased with that. So I am looking to spend £200 a month for now until we get used to spending less. We currently shop at Tesco / Asda but would like to switch to Aldi (although the carpark is ridiculously small and there is never any spaces when we go...the nearest Aldi is about 15 miles away)

Ladyluck1

Spent £6.55 in coop on YS... Again! My freezer is bursting now so no more spends till there is room!
Prawn linguine £0.95p from £3.95
Spaghetti and meatballs £0.65p from £2.95
A BBQ chicken £0.99p from £3.99
6 large Yorkshire puddings (for lazy days!) £0.41p from £1.95
Pizza express meal deal £1.25 from £5
Sirloin steak from £1.25 from £5
Diced chicken £1.08 from £4.30
Very impressed, we've also worked out exactly when to go for the best YS deals. The lady was just finishing reducing at 5.30
Another weeks worth of dinners (minus veg!) in the freezer.

K9sandFelines

I can't find todays receipt, but know i bought 4 litres of fizzy water at 18p each, milk for 99p, meat free kievs (can't remember price - will have to look online). Also, more lolly ices ( think 99p) and mayonnaise 89p.

Off to update. 18 days to go for me and struggling ...

PennyGrabber

Nsd today. Bought a chocolate bar while children at their gym class, but that's from my pocket money.

I didn't fancy much for dinner, but knew I'd pick if I didn't have anything, so I made myself a bowl of porridge. Had loads of milk to use up, so that's some of it...

No time or need to shop tomorrow or weds, out thurs, then it's half term! Hopefully this week will fly by, then I can have a brief rest as I'm not working this weekend.

Am still really chuffed with myself, for keeping so low. I traditionally lose it in the last week, so here's hoping I can stay strong!!

Night all,
PG x