December 2014 Grocery Challenge

joedenise

Have done a biggish shop today following our long weekend away spending at Ald!, Mr T, Mr Ms & Icel*nd and have now spent a total of £87.60/£250.

Shouldn't need much else this week although will probably need to pick up some milk & veg for the weekend when I go into town on Thursday.

Denise

CRANKY40

Bobarella wrote: »

I read what you said Cranky and completely agree, I am fortunate that I either go when D'S is at school or when OH is at home.
I haven't tried Approved foods yet but lots of people seem to swear by them is it worth trying for you both?

I don't think Approved Foods would work as we don't have a lot of storage in the house we have now and they seem to work in quantities that would take us months to get through.

I've done my shopping and the kitchen cupboards are stuffed full. I was thwarted in my aims by some of the items that I needed not being in stock so I had to go to a different shop this morning, but we just need bread and milk on Friday now for this week.

Total spend so far including last weeks online shop is £197.86 which leaves £102.14 for a last minute online shop of cheese, milk, eggs and a few other bits, and some top ups of bread and milk from the co-op.

Solstice_3

Updating, not doing well with NSDs this month! Spends so far £269.33 and off out today to buy veg for the next few days dinner, plus toothpaste.

Caterina

Is it me or is Approved Foods going a bit expensive, and it also does not seem to have as much useful stuff as it used to. I used to get things like grains and pulses, their rice and pasta were always really cheap compared to the discount supermarkets, there was always stuff that could be cooked from scratch, but now it seems to be more about cookies and biscuits and junk food. I keep getting offers for 1p cocacola and chocolate bars, but the useful food seems to have almost disappear. I haven't seen anything worth buying lately, especially paying their delivery fee! Has anyone else found this to be the case?

Bobarella

Caterina wrote: »

Is it me or is Approved Foods going a bit expensive, Has anyone else found this to be the case?

I havent actually used them but was hoping to, this doesnt inspire me. A few bloggers really seem to rate them. I have shyed away in the past as I like to see what Im buying which is why I dont use online shopping generally anyway.

CRANKY40 wrote: »

I don't think Approved Foods would work as we don't have a lot of storage in the house we have now and they seem to work in quantities that would take us months to get through.

Fair enough, it has to work for you. My only other suggestion was maybe getting up a buying circle with any other like minded people near by. That way you could all take advantage of bulk buying & do it in a way that suited all of you. Sounds like you are fairly all set now though?

Bobarella

I went to do my Aldi shop which is my first time there. I went with a list & stuck to it except for switching sausages for bacon in the end. I so wish it was closer, I could save a fortune there. I wont bore on but for me the main high lights were the super 6, which today meant I got 3 lemons for 49p (they are 33p each in Sains) a 6 pack of tomatoes for 49p, (would be 70p in Sains) & 1kg of white onions for 49p (80p in sains)
I was also overjoyed to see they do a store brand cheese string at only £1.49 for 8 vs £3 in Tesco for the actual cheese strings. My son loves them but I only ever buy on offer as I appreciate what a mug I am being to pay so much for effectively less cheese than you get in a simple block. But it is nice to be able to treat your child to something they like a lot.
I also rate the full size baguette for 45p vs £1 in the supermarkets.
Total spend was £8.48 which was a little over my budget for the day, but as I said earlier it hasnt ruined things due to no shopping day yesterday.
Funny enough the only thing I did notice is they dont do a cheap loo roll option like Lidl. Cheapest I spotted was 4 for £1.45 unless I missed something?

15 days to go on Dec GC for me.

Bob

Caterina

Bobarella, please don't let me put you off, go and explore the website, you might find something that you and your family like and use. I bought many good bargains from them in the past so they might come back.

I pop in and have a look on their site quite regularly, hoping that they will have something worth buying. If you subscribe or go on their facebook page they sometimes have delivery offers, sometimes even free, in that case it is really worth ordering, stuff like toilet paper and cleaning stuff.

Hope it helps.

First_Trouble

Wow. I forgot how quickly this thread moves.

Ok, so have already got myself in a muddle this month. Haven't spent much more of the budget cash that I withdrew and put in my purse. I may have accidentally merged with existing cash in my purse. Whoops.
I think next month I will have to put all cash into a plastic bank baggy to keep it separate.
At least I am keeping a tag on what I have spent so far which is as follows.

£101.10 - provisional shop Mr T
-£3.29 for items that were not included once delivered
+ £5.72 on top up bits yesterday

Hubby also phoned me saying he has just come out of Mr T's for some bits for dinner as he didn't feel like cooking what was in the meal plan :mad: . I should be able to recoup the meal later in the month but still very annoying. I have asked him to leave the receipt on the side in the kitchen so I can mark it up later.

I also have a £1.54 price promise and double points voucher to use before 28th Dec so may use this to get brown sugar and milk chocolate to make up the last of my Christmas hamper present items.

Off to update sig with new total.

NewShadow

Caterina wrote: »

Is it me or is Approved Foods going a bit expensive, and it also does not seem to have as much useful stuff as it used to.

I used to use them for pasta and loo roll, plus trying random products I wouldn't buy anywhere else (got some white chocolate dip that was to die for).

Nowdays I have a look and try and fill a basket, but you're right - for the amount I'm saving I'd have to place orders for £100+ to make up the delivery costs.

I started to find them like that when they started to do the fresh fruit and veg. It's a couple of pence cheaper at most.

Coxy11

Hi everyone,


Budgets updated to here


Welcome to:
StrawberryJam132 and amandaatnumber7


Nice to see you back Florenceem


Good luck all
Coxy