June 2014 Grocery Challenge

[Deleted User]

Hi Lynnejk


This weekend we celebrate Matariki, the Maori New Year, and their start of the winter season. Traditionally a time of renewal and new beginnings. Although none of the whanau (family) have any Maori blood, we still celebrate and honour the season. And its a darn good excuse for a get together.
Cheers

Happygreen

I declare this month as officially failed....
I'm about £ 60 over budget so will make some changes. My booze will no longer be included in the family budget as it is really my own personal luxury. I'm taking a break with the GC in July as away for a week. August will be interesting as DD1 will be leaving. I can not see for the life of me how I can change my cooking habits to serve 3 instead of 4......

peony40

For the first time ever I have come in under budget, with money left in my purse.

I struggled a little near the end as tiredness kicked in and menu planning slipped more than I wished, but this is what I will concentrate on in July.

Not been able to read or post much as for some reason my vision is becoming very blurred. Hope you are doing well, and I will see you all in the July thread.

Suffolk_lass

Happygreen wrote: »

I declare this month as officially failed....
I'm about £ 60 over budget so will make some changes. My booze will no longer be included in the family budget as it is really my own personal luxury. I'm taking a break with the GC in July as away for a week. August will be interesting as DD1 will be leaving. I can not see for the life of me how I can change my cooking habits to serve 3 instead of 4......

I think for me the trick was to cook for 2 with a little bit extra and stretch it so the reduction was bigger. This was rather than think of "reduce by one portion".

For example I would cook two chicken pieces and cut them into slices or pieces and that way I could stretch it. We now share 1 piece between 2 and it is enough with a few more veggies (and probably healthier too!)

After a couple of months of a smaller household I started to see the difference but you have to get your head used to it first. Your first baby "fledging" is definitely the hardest thing. And I don't just mean for your grocery budget. I still insist on daily texts so I know all OK their end.

SL

Cleosmum

joedenise wrote: »

WOW, that's absolutely amazing! I'm happy if I actually come in under budget - even if it's only a few pence, LOL!

Denise

Going back a few years ago when I did this I had a budget of £250 which included all pet food. Money was tight back then, OH has a really good job now and I'd got into this awful habit of shopping when I liked, spending what I liked, no lists, just throw it in if you fancy it. I knew it had to stop and we are going through buying a house so that gave me the kick up the bottom lol. I've set £400 for July, £500 in June as that was less than I had been spending and really had no idea how I would do (should have had more faith in myself!). Hoping July goes as well as June and I can knock more off in August :beer: I think £300 might be my budget from August onwards but who knows if I can get it to less

marris

£67,63 so far. will update my signature. trying to keep myself away from YS as got plenty in my freezer but it's so hard lol

piglet27

Hi all, sorry I've not been on here much. I have followed but due to outside issues haven't been able to post.


Well I declare £306.93 so not sooo bad as I have never done this before and until this month have never kept an eye on my spending, so quite happy with that. However my bf has bought 3*2 large pots of b+j ice cream when on offer this month, I haven't counted in for that.


Hopefully we will only eat homemade ice cream this month, loads cheaper and just as yummy! Will try to keep on track this month, maybe break it down to weekly amounts.


See you all in July. Well done to everyone for attempting and keeping to a budget, it is quite challenging! :T:T:T

Billie-jo

£21.37 spent today. I got strawberries, grapes, peaches, cauli, potatoes, carrots, sweet corn, tomatoes, ham, milk, lemonade, bananas and bread. Loving the fresh fruits about at the moment.
We are having ham rolls and salad for tonight and tomorrow will have roast chicken if all goes to plan.
Need to start July's meal planning so think that will be a job for later this evening.
You know that yesterday I said I had freed up about a drawers worth of space in the freezer - well today I managed to fill it up again by buying a large joint of beef and pork that was on over in L!dl. This has been cut up into 3 beef joints, 3 pork joints and 3 pork steaks. Will pay for this as and when its used. (must try harder at emptying the freezer)


Some good under spending this month so well done to all who have achieved this and keep trying to those who haven't made it.

K9sandFelines

£18.03 spent today in HB on various bits then £2.00 in Will*s on loo roll. I also bought Dylon dye to try and spruce some bath mats up, which i'm not including (as I am sick of them looking grubby all the time with being white).

Solstice_3

Another smallish spend today, went to Sainsburys today as I needed sea salt but forgot to buy it Had a 50p price guarantee voucher so total came to £2.69. Also went to Lidls on the way and Asda after as I forgot Pitta Bread. Total spend today £8.13