February 2015 Grocery Challenge

miss_try_to_save

hi all yesterday was the first day of my challenge and I went to the main town and went to the market there I spent £45 in total but £15 of that was from the market butcher for 8 pieces of sirloin steak extremely impressed and will definitely do it again even though its two long bus journeys away as I cant drive the only problem was carrying it I went into a aldi first time ever as not one near us and was very impressed with the prices so grabbed what I could carry today I am going to the village to get heavier bits from Tesco so will update later

redmel1621

Afternoon.

I have barely posted in the last week or two as the whole family came down with fevers, chest infections, tonsillitis, and although we are all slowly recovering I am completely wiped out.

Anyway I had to splurge on the odd chippy dinner as no energy to cook. I also failed to go to Aldi and use up my two reserve vouchers towards my Feb shopping. I was just too weak.

I have almost finalised my February meal plan, after my big boys requesting a few changes, so will need to amend my shopping list and see how close to Wednesday I can get without needing the shops.

I'm still on my annual budget which gives me a Feb budget of £398.90
I will do some sums and see if I am under that with my meal plan.

Bobarella

Hi All
Trundled off to L's again today for a top up shop. That's us for the week at £43 across the 2 shop. Have all meals planned for next 3 nights & plenty in for hungry family to make lunches/snacks whilst I'm at work. It is always a false economy not doing a weekend top up as they will only buy it out and spend more if it's not already here.
Have made a simple vanilla cake which I will ice later and that's afternoon teas sorted too.
Hope everyone is ok with all the extreme weather?
Without meaning to be an advertiser for L's it is half price weekend. Some good stuff in their sales. I am still gobsmacked at the cost difference between them and the main supers. Cherry toms are a staple for us. L's price 55p Sains price £1 even the nice pepper crusted salami they do at 65p a pack is £1 for the same in Sains. All of you who shop Aldi and L's all the time must be laughing. Wish I could but it's such a trek. Will do it as much as I can.

bob

WantToBeSE

I just did a weekly shop for £12 in Aldi..surely that cant be right?! LOL.
i literally could not think of anything to buy.


Maybe I'll end up spending more during the week.

miss_try_to_save

hi all had another spend of £15 which made £300/£360 I am determined this month to be in budget or under budget and I need to defrost my freezer badly but have not done it as I keep seeing bargains so filling it up again I have been awful at keeping to meal plans but am determined this month will be different I have what I need for the next few days and plan to spend minimal amounts over next few weeks problem is I get tempted to easily by rubbish so fingers crossed I will stick to my plan

Kim317

Trying_really_hard wrote: »

19?! That is brilliant (and quite enviable from my point of view). :T

Its basically a case of staying away from the shops altogether as if I go in to town I spend money! I used to go in to town most days for something to do whilst my ds had his nap in the buggy but now he has started preschool he has been napping at home therefore keeping me away from town.

lynnejk

Tidy_Up_Tash wrote: »

I'm toying with the idea of a second purse, as per the link at the start of the GC threads. Has anyone else tried this? Any hints and tips would be great

Hiya
There are lots of ways to run a second purse.


When I started on GC I put £100 in my bulk buy fund and I use that to buy things when I see them on a good offer - if it's something I will use like sugar or coffee. I also use it to 'bulk-buy' my butcher meat as it is a round trip of about 50 miles so try to save a bit of fuel. Then at the end of each month any left in my month's monies I put back into the fund.


Feel free to pm me if you want to ask anything


Lx

BrassicWoman

Ahh the pay day spend! I had no urge to collect as much stuff, this challenge is a fab incentive! Also I have a *tiny fridge* which helps!

Had clubcard vouchers but used them to buy a birthday gift(there is never anything I want on voucher doubling!)

However not bad on YSs - eggs on sell by with a week to use, but only got 6 as how many tortillas can I usefully use?

So, £9.97 on posh quiche, coleslaw, potato salad, a huge red pepper (making dhal), cheese and onion bread mix, sandwich thins, mature cheddar, spicy lentil dip, quorn burgers, 8 yogurts, and the luxury buy.. crumble topping! Which I'll add to a tin of peaches and pop in the oven while the bread is cooking. (I know you all make your own...!)

Quite pleased with that little lot, I think that's enough to add to the freezer goods to make lunch and dinner for the week.

In other news I was going to buy instant mash to make fast cowboy pie but I can't believe how pricey it got! Was it always cheaper to just buy spuds?!? I remember it used to be cheap... is everyone buying ready fresh mash instead now or something?

SilverBird_2

Annual GC budget again - total spend to-date is in my signature. Still using up stuff in fridge, freezer and cupboards but did a top-up shop yesterday as needed fresh fruit and also items to making using up what is in stock more interesting. Would have left this until week-end but thought it wise to go shopping yesterday before the snow made it difficult. Aiming for a thrifty February and also as many NSDs as possible

scotmumof3

CherryPie wrote: »

I'd love to live in the middle of nowhere, and be self sufficient, we can all dream can't we!!

The "good life"sounds wonderful doesn't it wish it was achievable
NSD for me today