May 2015 Grocery Challenge

UMD

So £3.20 for the rest of the week didn't work out so well... I nipped into the shop for tea and milk and spent £2.15, then did my 'fruit and veg' shop yesterday and managed to spend £13.62! :eek: I did get some bits and pieces that will last me a couple of weeks though (frozen fruit on two for £4), and I caved in and bought hot chocolate which wasn't on my list. It's just so good for keeping the chocolate cravings away, which means I don't buy chocolate, so technically I'm saving money... right?

I can't believe I'm up to £54.22 spent this month so far for just me! This is such an eye-opener, I never would have thought I spent so much on food as I've always assumed that I was quite a frugal shopper - never buying the expensive options, always getting the value/basics ones instead and checking the discount section regularly. I guess I need to have a serious evaluation!

scotmumof3

£5.02 spend for me yesterday at Tesc*. Today will be a NSD as I am not going out

lynnejk

mummysa wrote: »

Newbie here so going to set £125 for two of us plus two extra mouths, twice a week initially for the rest of the month.
Going to have a look through freezer today, meal plan and then do an online shop so not tempted to pop in for anything and buy things we don't need.

Welcome to the Fred and good luck with the challenge

UMD wrote: »

I can't believe I'm up to £54.22 spent this month so far for just me! This is such an eye-opener, I never would have thought I spent so much on food as I've always assumed that I was quite a frugal shopper - never buying the expensive options, always getting the value/basics ones instead and checking the discount section regularly. I guess I need to have a serious evaluation!

I think lots of people find this if they're not used to running a budget - don't worry though - you will get there if you keep trying. Can I suggest you have a look at the first posts for inspiration


Spends today are Morrys = £5.22 and A*di = £11.36 so a total of £16.58. I have adjusted my siggie and as hope not to spend again until Thursday then seem well within the budget so far.


Hope you all have a marvellous Monday
Lx

Frizzle_2

Popped to farmfoods today to get some margarine, bread and fruit and veg for the week. I had a voucher so got a few extra bits so the freezer should see us until the end of the month now.

£21.09 to add to signature. £2 was from another budget. Pleased with this as didn't go far over £25 to use the voucher!

Yummy casserole for tea tonight. I had some beef in the freezer and bought some carrots today. Also added some passata, a bottle of ale (which we don't drink) and bought some frozen veg mix and chopped swede as farmfoods didn't have much fresh casserole veg! It was delicious and enough to make another meal if not two!

sheba

£6.80 to add to signature, not going anywhere near a shop tomorrow as they just seem to leech money from me- in the fateful words off my school report, in order to achieve her goals (Sheba) must try harder!!

Ttfn

Sheba

mmharko

Morning all, slightly worried about my total spend to date, £275.44! And I have a sains shop being delivered this morning which will be around £40.... really though, that should only leave me with milk, bread and f&v to get for the next 2 and a bit weeks.....


This thread has been very helpful as has actually recording and writing down my grocery spend, it really makes you much more accountable. I think going forward I need to meal plan better and try not to be drawn in by special offers or 'cheap' items that are not on my shopping list!


I am hoping that next months total comes in way under budget as I have enough meat in the freezer to do us for at least the next month! we'll see......


I agree with you Sheba, the shops just suck money from me! best to avoid all together!

dobs

Hi all just a quick question do you include pet food/ cleaning products etc in your budget or food and drink only? I need to do this from next month as spending way too much (5 of us) but not sure what things to include in budget, thanks! X

joedenise

dobs wrote: »

Hi all just a quick question do you include pet food/ cleaning products etc in your budget or food and drink only? I need to do this from next month as spending way too much (5 of us) but not sure what things to include in budget, thanks! X

Everybody deals with things different but most seem to include food, cleaning stuff, nappies, pet food etc. It is entirely up to you what you want to include in your budget.

For example I don't include alcohol in my budget I keep that separate in another budget. I don't have pets or babies so don't need to include anything there either so mine is basically food & cleaning stuff.

Denise

cw18

dobs wrote: »

Hi all just a quick question do you include pet food/ cleaning products etc in your budget or food and drink only?

Totally personal choice.

I have different budgets for toiletries and cleaning items. When I had pets I also had a different budget for pet food.

But some folk include some or all of those in their grocery budgets.

scotmumof3

mmharko wrote: »

. I think going forward I need to meal plan better and try not to be drawn in by special offers or 'cheap' items that are not on my shopping list!

I used to have a big problem saying no to BOGOFs and specials and YS items that I didn't need and it's taken me months of being really strict with myself to get to the place where now I can walk by but it's not easy A meal plan is definitely the way to go. I would be lost without mine and even though sometimes we deviate from it it still keeps me on the straight and narrow . Good luck