October 2014 Grocery Challenge

Happygreen

Unexpectedly I was offered to put an order in with the local wholefood co-op, which I did as it's not going to happen again before next February. Depending on the amount I might put it through for November as it will arrive on Halloween, lol...
NSD yesterday and today .

Solstice_3

Was going to be an NSD today as I'm not going out but had to ask DH to pick up a loaf of bread on his way home tonight. Will update signature tonight.

Have a good day everyone.

dingdongsaving

Well done everyone!...& a massive reduction Maria! :T I agree with everyone else...think of the dent it'll have on your annual grocery spending if you can do that each month!!

We picked up 8 pints of milk yesterday evening on our way home & that'll be us done for October. Sig. updated & £59 saved for C* & Jan food sales! We're over the moon with that (even though we know it's partly good luck that we had some excellent nappy vouchers & only needed dog food once). :rotfl:

We've planned for the whole month of Nov. as it worked so well for Oct, & we got the Nov challenge £££ out yesterday too...I'll be over there once we're all home from our spooky antics Friday evening ready for the 1st on Saturday! :beer:

Caterina

As November approaches, I have two things to consider:

One, I need to do a serious bulk stock-up of essentials and will have to budget it within the annual spend. Not sure whether to bite the bullet and offset it in 2-3 months or to spread it over the year. For example, with a monthly budget of £300, if I spend £250 I could have 3 months at £215 (ish) or should I have the next 12 months at £280 ish? The second option is easier but I might lose focus over the year. I am also quite an impatient person and want to clear my debts, even the in-house ones, as soon as possible. Christmas is in the way but I don't spend much more than usual and any booze and extra come out of a different budget. I shall have to have a think, but would welcome ideas and suggestions, thank you.

Two, I am away for 5 days in November, Italy, so it will involve buying cocktails before dinner (really much cheaper than in the UK, at 5 Euro for a massive, drunkenness inducing one that comes with mini pizzas, nuts, olives and vol au vents), and ice cream and at least a pizza! This money is already budgeted for! for two of us, but DS still needs food at home. Perhaps I shall deduct £30 from the monthly budget for DH and myself, this would make a November budget of £270. More than feasible.

Not planning to buy any food between today and Friday so with a bit of luck I should come to the end of the month under budget.

bmma

Hi computer down yesterday -spent a lot of time talking to provider-aahh!
anyway tues and wed NSD'S x

Mrs_Cheshire

NSD for me today!

lynnejk

Caterina wrote: »

As November approaches, I have two things to consider:

One, I need to do a serious bulk stock-up of essentials and will have to budget it within the annual spend. Not sure whether to bite the bullet and offset it in 2-3 months or to spread it over the year. For example, with a monthly budget of £300, if I spend £250 I could have 3 months at £215 (ish) or should I have the next 12 months at £280 ish? The second option is easier but I might lose focus over the year. I am also quite an impatient person and want to clear my debts, even the in-house ones, as soon as possible. Christmas is in the way but I don't spend much more than usual and any booze and extra come out of a different budget. I shall have to have a think, but would welcome ideas and suggestions, thank you.

Two, I am away for 5 days in November, Italy.... but DS still needs food at home. Perhaps I shall deduct £30 from the monthly budget for DH and myself, this would make a November budget of £270. More than feasible.

I have given it some thought and come up with the following:


How about you work out how much you think the bulk-buy will cost over the year and divide it by 4.


Spend this quarter at beginning of year and pay it back into the budget over the next 3 months. Use the other 3/4 to pay off some debt.


Do this every 3 months for the year and you will probably find you have monies left to use for C* next year :T


This is how I started my bulk-buy fund and I just top it up when I have some overs now.


Don't forget to put it on your signature and keep it running so you don't lose track.


HTH and good luck


I think your 2nd paragraph eminently sensible and way to go


Managed another NSD and will just need some milk tomorrow I hope fingers xd


Hope you all have a thrifty Thursday
Lx

Caterina

Good morning,

Thank you Lynnejk, you always have very wise advice, I know I can count on you! The only problem with estimating bulk buy for the year is that I tend to stock up when I catch an offer. But the quarterly idea is good.

I need two NSDs to make it to my 10/10 challenge so today and tomorrow I shall have to be disciplined. If DH or DS say they need something (usually it is building stuff) I am just having to ignore it in my challenge, because I know I have planned for NSDs and cannot be responsible for their lack of planning.

This is a long term argument I have with DH, he will say "I need one tub of primer" and gets a small tub to save money, but does not think that all the windows need doing, so we end up buying 3 or 4 small tubs instead of a large, much more economical one. Men....

End of rant, have a good day.

Happygreen

I'll go into town today and will go into Lidl (mainly to catch some specials for DD1 and some basics) and £ stetchers for tinned tomatoes (29 p , can't beat that). That will probably finish the month off not too badly!

piglet27

Hi all sorry i've been absent for a week or two, oops! I've totalled all of my receipts and my remaining month comes to £33.15. I think all this brings me under budget but haven't checked my signature yet. Will see you all in November, when hopefully everything calms down a little!!!

Sarah

Declaring at £193/£275 Whoop!