February 2015 Grocery Challenge

[Deleted User]

scotmumof3 wrote: »

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

We have lived a relatively self sufficient life for many years. It has allowed us to make large financial gains, and we have learnt many very useful skills, but it does come at a huge cost in time and effort. Even the "guru" of self sufficiency John Seymour and his partner always had a cash paying jobs (broadcasting and writing, pottery etc) while living the life.


We now live a lifestyle that is as self sufficient as it suits us to be without the hard work, and for a lot of our needs we barter which preserves the cash to pay for what is needed (neither DH or I have an income, receive no benefits and live off the interest from our investments.) It is a good life, but not an easy one. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

skintmum2012

Yay I had a nsd today just wondering does anyone use the market meat vans? Or muscle food? Really want to try them as they are much cheaper worried I will food poision us though. When I was in town yesterday the van was selling a huge amount of meat for almost nothing you can hear where ever you are in the market as he wears a loud speaker and my mum turns round and said makes you wonder what's wrong with it they sell it so cheap I would love the saving though. Does anyone use either a meat van or muscle food?

Caterina

Starting 1st Feb and hoping to do it with £280

It should be more than enough for the 3 of us, cat food all in and we are fairly well stocked up on food. DH and I are away for 4 days, plus it is DH's birthday (meal out) and these all come out of separate budget.

scotmumof3

kiwiblue wrote: »

We have lived a relatively self sufficient life for many years. It has allowed us to make large financial gains, and we have learnt many very useful skills, but it does come at a huge cost in time and effort. Even the "guru" of self sufficiency John Seymour and his partner always had a cash paying jobs (broadcasting and writing, pottery etc) while living the life.


We now live a lifestyle that is as self sufficient as it suits us to be without the hard work, and for a lot of our needs we barter which preserves the cash to pay for what is needed (neither DH or I have an income, receive no benefits and live off the interest from our investments.) It is a good life, but not an easy one. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sounds absolutely wonderful I can only dream. You are very lucky but i guess you know that lol :)

K9sandFelines

£280 for me please.

e4rly

I'd like to join, with a budget of £100 for groceries (excluding alcohol, toiletries and cleaning products). Jan was tough at that limit but I've checked my cupboards and its time to get serious about using up my stock piles of dried beans and lentils

Daisychain1

Morning all. I have just started a diary on the debt free boards and my aim is to set myself mini challenges every month to try and reduce my debt. My challenge for February is to reduce my food spends as much as humanly possible.

We are a family of two adults and normally spend approx £200 per month including cleaning products.

Please could I have your opinion on what is a realistic amount for me to be spending on food per month and any tips you have to help me on my way.

I have plenty of food in the cupboards and freezer so as long as I use it wisely I should do ok.

Many thanks DC1

Bobarella

Hi Daisy
We are a family of 2 adults and a 6 year old boy, plus 1 cat. When I started doing the challenge back in October I was spending £260 a month the last few months I've trimmed it down to £200 last month and I'm trying for £180 this month. The way I plan to save that additional £20 is doing as much of my shopping at Lidl or Aldi as possible as they are so much cheaper. I normally buy all basics if I do sains or T's but even with that the pennies definately stack up. So its an experiment to see if it's possible that way.
£200 a month for 2 of you should be fine. Start there then see if you can shave a bit off.
The tips I've got from here that have helped the most are
1. Shop your cupboards first so you know what's in there before you meal plan for the week.
2. Make a plan of all the meals you can make with what you have already.
3. Write a shopping list of what you need to supplement what you have in already.
4. Try to go shopping at a time when the marked down items are available. People call them yellow sticker on here (YS)
5. Try and have days that you don't go into the shops at all.
6. Use your vouchers to the best advantage.
7. Keep a good track on your budget however that works for you. I keep a note in my sig below and update after every shop.

Think that's it. There is also batch cooking and making a stock pile of foods when they are on offer which some people swear by.

Bob

Tidy_Up_Tash

lynnejk wrote: »

Hiya
There are lots of ways to run a second purse.
...
Feel free to pm me if you want to ask anything


Lx

Thank you, I may take you up on that I'm going to start it simple with £20 and see how we manage maintaining it. Basically, I plan to purchase bargains for the stockpile and, when we need it, "buy" it from the stockpile at full price using money from the Grocery Budget. I can see the long term benefits, even if it does sound detrimental to our Grocery Budget. The "profit" in the 2nd purse will go towards paying a debt, initially. In the long term it will go into a holiday savings fund.

Yesterday's delivery from Mr T came to £63.23 and OH popped to the 99p shop for some household stuff that I missed. Total to add to my spend this month is £67.19. Almost half the budget gone, but I think we have enough to last us for over a fortnight.

Today we're having a takeaway with my Bro and his OH. This will be coming from the Grocery Budget. We also have to get some drinks in. Looking to spend £30 or less. OH is under strict instruction not to over order on food (even if the leftovers can be "eaten for tomorrow's lunch", which is the usual excuse )

Hopefully tomorrow will be the first of a run of NSDs.

Daisychain1

Thanks for your welcome and all the tips Bobarella. I definitely need to do store cupboard shopping more as I have loads of stuff which could be used up before buying anymore. I think tonight I will sit down and menu plan for the week using the bits I already have.

Another area which I feel I could improve on is brand shopping. Now I don't have a problem with lower brand items but OH is a food label snob. I wander if I go shopping without him and unpackaged it before he gets home if he would notice a difference. There's only one way to find out

If you've tried going for own brand stuff what is good and what is best avoided?

DC1