September 2014 Grocery Challenge

Caterina

Just over £20 on my shopping, bang on budget, spoiled by DH having to shoot off extra early and not giving me time to pack him a lunch, and so having to spend £3.50 on a cheese baguette.

Running quite low and wondering if I should aim a bit higher. We can afford it but I really want to test how low we can go without suffering too much hardship. I would be up for tightening up more but DH works hard and feels he wants the odd treat. I find it so difficult to deny DS his lovely treats, and feel I have to look after him and feed him well. After 31 years in the UK I still function like a 100% Italian mamma!

cw18

LynseyLou wrote: »

Just to clarify - as September is technically a five week month. Should we be making our budgets stretch to the w/c 29 September or would that count as the first week of October?

Personal choice.

I work on calendar months (so last month was 31 days and this month is 30), and set my budget according to the number of days.

judi24

Just totalled up my spends and up to £278/300 - got plenty of store cupboard and freezer stuff - bought fresh bits today but may need milk before next Friday which is payday!

meanmarie

Total spend to date is €126.91, leaving me €53.09 to last to end of the month.....just need to stay out of shops as OH doesnt understand the concept of budgetting.

Marie

Cottage_Economy

LynseyLou wrote: »

Just to clarify - as September is technically a five week month. Should we be making our budgets stretch to the w/c 29 September or would that count as the first week of October?

I'm making mine stretch, but then I tend to shop on a Sunday for the coming week so for me it is just an extra two days to account for. I only shop once a week so I'll put 2/7th of what I spend that last week on to September's total.


I'm really surprised at how well I'm doing. Makes me feel a bit ashamed that I've been spending £200+ every month without much thought. With a few minutes spent on meal planning and monitoring I've only spent £76 so far and haven't wanted for anything.


Going to put the difference between my usual average monthly spend and this month's (hopefully) low total towards the Christmas budget.

Meezel

Good Morning


I had a long weekend been nice to have days off work unfortunately, my dad was taken into hospital but is now back home..


With this happening I never did a meal plan for the week but suppose to be doing a quick shop on Monday for the week which came to a trolley full at Al*I & £79.84 poorer .. I got loads but not sure if I needed it all so this week yet again I am going to try and get in to the planning of meals to see if this will save more money.


I need to save money more than ever now as the heating fan has gone in the car completely and do not have spare cash. I mentioned it to someone this morning at work then have said it can be costly so fingers crossed they are wrong!!


Anyway trying to remain positive, hope everyone has a good day

just_the_two_of_us

Just popping on to update signature - £153.18 spent - over £4 of that on cold stuff as I caught DH's and we were out of nice tissues and paracetamol!! Have enough main meals until end of September so should manage easily on what is left for fruit and veg and milk etc.


I usually just try and get enough stuff in the last week to go the extra few days depending on month end.


Anyone got anything put away for Christmas yet? We picked up some booze in mr T on half price or reduced then additional 25% off for 6 bottles and used some vouchers!! Cost 39p!!


Keep up the good work.

p-pincher

Just added up what I have left til the 25th and it £40.50. Nothing major needed, just the usual bread, milk, fruit etc. No chance of saving anything towards my costco membership but hopefully I won't go over and may even be able to put a couple of bits away toward Christmas.

As I've got no big shop to do I've worked put I've got £4.05 a day for tops ups!!!!

Ellie_BB

Finished tallying up and think I've spent £209.67 so far. 5 days till the end of my month so should be doable, but I want to get the 3rd morrisons voucher so will need to spend £40 in there to get it. Gonna be tight! Just need to avoid any little spends. Should be ok as I have stuff in and going to use the morrisons trip to stock up on pet food

cw18

just_the_two_of_us wrote: »

Anyone got anything put away for Christmas yet? We picked up some booze in mr T on half price or reduced then additional 25% off for 6 bottles and used some vouchers!! Cost 39p!!

Presents : yes (but not as many as normal - need to pull my finger out now)

Booze : don't drink, and don't have visitors I need to supply any for

Food : don't really do anything special (taken to sausage meat or steak and chips on the day, then if I find a good sized whole turkey or turkey crown in reduction after the day I pick that up to cook/freeze/use for butties and left over meals )