August 2007 Grocery Challenge

JAMIEDODGER

hi all.

Im in for August Challenge. Came in £20.17 under budget for July:T

My month runs 1st- 31st August but that will be four shopping trips for me. Aiming for £240 for me, 4 kids, 5 cats and a hamster:D

Any leftovers will be going to my PMS jar so I am eager to spend as little as possible.

The last 3 weeks I have done one online shop per week keeping it under £50 and putting by £10 in cash for milk, fresh fruit and veg and anything else i forget on the big shop. It is really helping me keep within budget:D

In-my-shell

Hi I've just updated my monthly totals and am very pleased that I came in under budget so this month I'm looking to reduce my total from £200 to £180 I will be looking for more ways to help reduce it even further so any tips and advice will be greatly received thanks Shell
ps month runs from 28th July 28th August.

Spirit_2

Pink-winged wrote: »

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the eighth Grocery Challenge of 2007.

Another new month is about to start for most of us, while some of you are already well into things.

As always this challenge is to reduce your own grocery budget to levels that you will be pleased with, not forgetting that we always recommend that you stay inside your own comfort levels and take things gently one step at a time.

If you are new to the challenge I have quoted the advice from Galtizz below which will help you get started.

Please post into this thread for help and advice and support at any time. Good luck to everyone taking part!




I hope it's a good month for all of you!

Pink

I have been directed to old style by a recommendation from DFW forum. This is my first challenge.

Currently spending 600 per month on cleaning and to feed three. We do have a lot of waste and recently have eaten more 'rubbish'.

Some rather 'silly' questions but it will help me to plan:

I will be on holiday for 10 days but Daughter and her friend will house sit. Do I count this as a normal week or 2 weeks (us in Italy, them at home) or something else?

Does the challenge include cleaning materials (I use relatively few - lots of washing soda/white vinegar/Bicarb/Borax) ie washing powder/dishwasher tablets.

Does the challenge include pet food?

Pink.

Spirit wrote: »

I have been directed to old style by a recommendation from DFW forum. This is my first challenge.

Currently spending 600 per month on cleaning and to feed three. We do have a lot of waste and recently have eaten more 'rubbish'.

Some rather 'silly' questions but it will help me to plan:

I will be on holiday for 10 days but Daughter and her friend will house sit. Do I count this as a normal week or 2 weeks (us in Italy, them at home) or something else?

Does the challenge include cleaning materials (I use relatively few - lots of washing soda/white vinegar/Bicarb/Borax) ie washing powder/dishwasher tablets.

Does the challenge include pet food?

Hi Spirit,

Welcome :hello:

What you decide to include is entirely up to you. The great thing about the grocery challenge is that it's a personal challenge and everyones needs and expenses will be different. The aim is to bring your total spending down to a level that you are comfortable with. Good luck with yours!

Pink

teedy23

Hi SPIRIT, and welcome to the g/c. Most people do count cleaning materials and pet food, and some have had a battle of wills with fussy pets,to eat a more ecenomical brand, and most have pulled through lol. It is up to you wether to count the time you spend on holiday, but as you still have family eating in the house I would, this may not be a true reflection on your normal monthly spend, but it,s somewhere to start. Good luck and hope to see you again (well hear from you)

I came in under budget for July, but I dont think I,l lower it this month as it,s 5 weeks. Had a bit of waste this month so have to pull my socks up, and maybe put garters on em, this time. Nice to see more newbies joining in as well as regulars, and all doing well despite various upsets. Some of you know I,ve had one of these this month, but ofset it by having a car boot sale and had a bit of luck with bank charges, so that paid the counsil tax and the electicity, yes it,s been that scary this month, but not as bad as some, and I know I,ll get past this bit and on to better things lol. Good luck all

Bobbykins

I'm in again please!

I'm not reducing my budget this month because it's a 5 week month plus, as I think I've already posted, we are away for a week in the caravan (a few ready meals called for I'm afraid).

To any newbies - listen to what the experienced members say on here - they are SO good at this.

I normally spend about £80-£90 on my first "big" shop of the month.

As advised on here, I did a "virtual" shop to get an idea of what my stuff was going to cost - it came in at £59. I took £60 out of the "hole in the wall", stuck it in a separate purse and off I went with my list. For the first time EVER, I managed to resist all the so called "bargains" and came out with everything I needed, plus I treated myself to a small bunch of flowers and STILL had a little bit of money left in the purse! (mind you I've spent it since then!:rotfl: :rotfl: )

Thanks again for all your help, wish me luck!

Spirit_2

Thankyou - the waving smiley made me smile. I am definately going to join this challenge. I will set a limit of 400 which incudes pet food and cleaning. It will be for 5 weeks commencing today 29/7/07 and end on 31/8/07 and but exclude any spend on holiday. I am even looking forward to reviewing what we already have in the cupboards. I can't believe I just said that!

lindsaygalaxy

Hi All
This month I am determind to keep the challenge up, as i usually waver by endof the first week, but got a little holiday at end of month and need some spendng money.

So budget for me, plus a 2 year old (nearly 3) is going to be £240 ( £60 less than usual) then i will start dropping it from there.

This will run from 1st August to 31st August. I wil be in Ireland until the 5th, but on self catering hol in the last week in the month.

All the best everyone. x

Linda32

Hello all,

Now, last month I came in under my budget by a couple of pounds, so I'm going to try for a slightly modified £260 due to holidays.

We are away for one week at a B&B so no food needed. Eating out money already saved up.

So we're going to go for £195 for August, We're away from the 18th to 25th and these a week left after that so the end date will be 01st September and start date will be 04th August

So that I can copy and paste this for future use

Budget £195 end date 01st September only three weeks in August

I ought to add in what I've already spent as its come out of my bank and will be used during August

Asda £99.09

CAFCGirl

Crikey!

First attempt for me. I'm going for £100 all in, just for me...

Spent £30 on Tesco online, thats for 14 days, breakfasts too. SHould only need some fresh bits top up, like bread and milk.
Wish me luck!