January Grocery Challenge 2015

Chloris

Hello All. I would like to return to the grocery thread as it is that time of year for a budget overhaul and good intentions. Budget set for £440 for the whole month. We are a family of 5. Sorry can't do colour on my phone.

Thank you to zippy and coxy and all contributors to the thread. Xx

rubiesr4eva

Thank you Mrs Cheshire for suggestion, but that's where my problem is. He won't eat spag bol (hates pasta) and doesn't like stew/lobby's etc, as he likes his food to be presented nicely on a plate and not just thrown in a pan!! Fussy or what eh!! Will eat all veg & meat, not salad apart from lettuce, and a few pieces of fruit. Think smaller portion size is good idea though, will start that tonight. Need some red meat tonight, had enough of this white meat now haha

redmel1621

Thank you for sticking me on the annual budget list.

Can I go on the monthly one for £441.64 too please. Just to keep me in check as each month goes by... Weekly/Monthly spends may vary as I 'experiment' with different ways of shopping but at least I have a guide.

Bobarella

Hi All
Logging £13.12 from yesterday. I had to go out for butter in the end & saw so many useful YS items that I couldn't resist stocking up. Bags of jacket potatoes reduced to 25p from £1. Soup. Pizza. Bacon. Vegetables for pennies. So although that means I am now a bit over budget for my daily spend I really don't need any food for at least 3 days probably more.

Solstice_3

Hello, hope everyone had a good Christmas Quick update on spends

24/12 £14.00 £16.75 and £8.68
25/12 NSD Ha ha of course
26/12 NSD
27/12 £11.75 £0.95

Total so far £52.13

I've got a bit of leftover chicken to make into soup tonight then a Gammon to roast tomorrow. In the freezer I have 4 portions of smoked salmon I got for £2.80 and a replacement pheasant (£0) so I am good for meat for next week. I know though that I'll end up having to top something else up and I've just under £30 to last until Fri, not a great start.

gayleygoo

Hi all, I'd like to get back to doing the grocery challenge this year The last few months has seen my spending go out of control when I lost my spending diary and never replaced it. Meal planning and planned shopping meant we ate very well and healthily, but December especially was low on fruit and veg since we were just shopping and eating without any planning.

For this month I'm going to try to stick to £320, (£64 per week) and work it lower in the next few months. Today is the first day of my January spending, so it means a 5 week month.

There are 4 of us (until April when baby number 3 is due!), 2 rabbits, and a cat who lives here when she feels like it. I'm not sure if I should include pet food spends in my grocery budget, or if I should budget separately, what do others do? They cost £20 a month at most, so I'll probably include it this month and just see how it goes.

115K

I am going to be a right geek and go through my fridge, freezer and cupboards and make a list of all the meals I can make and stick it to the fridge. Meal times will be easier as I can just pick one meal idea from the list.

I realised I have been giving my cats too much food, I give them bowls of two different types of dry food but four of them also eat the wet food sachets and I haven't been keeping track and they are getting through them at a good rate. I will put each day's wet food out to one side each morning so I can keep track.:)

naturaljazz

Hi.. I'm in. For the cost cutting and the amazing recipes
I spend £14 per person (adults) per 7 days on food at home. Three meals and snacks. home cooking, almost all meat-free. Any meals out or a take-away are taken from my spending money and are very rare.

miss_try_to_save

hi all first nsd of Jan and im making my milk last till tomorrow if push comes to shove I can use some of dd2 s lactose free milk so my total left for the month is still £300/£330

merzal

Can I be put down for £100 again please?
Failed last month because I decided to include alcohol. This month will also include it but can't see us actually buying any. Need a bag of dog food, this costs £18 but lasts our little pup over 6months! Well stocked up on most things. Planning on doing a biggish shop in the next few days.
Anything spent after Christmas I'm counting towards my Jan spends.
So far spent £3.35, all on YS things, got 5 carry bags full for this so not so bad!