September 2007 Grocery Challenge

irishwexford

After failing the August challange I am going for September. Will allow £150 for us both which will include everything. Never ordered food online before so may give this a go. I have become a better cook since joining here and never waste any food now. At present I am freezing all the free apples I get and will be picking blackberries next month. I feel now I have made a personal budget as well I should not have to dip into the food money. I printed a copy of my bank statement and crossed off all the spending I didn't really need and found I could have saved £350. That was the shock I needed to get me on track. Best of luck to everyone.:rolleyes:

dlb

Well as iv just blown the Aug challange by £20, im signing up again for Sept!!
Starts Sept 1st for me, budget of £250 plus extra £50 for pack-lunches (decided to keep these seperate to work out if 4x school meals will be cheaper or not) So £300 in all for me,hubby, 4 kids with hollow legs and the cat!!
Good luck everyone, i almost made Aug target must do better in Sept!!!
Donna

curlywurlygirly

My monthly grocery spend is currently about £300 (me, DH, DD and DS - plus pets) - and it has been suggested to me that this is rather high.

Should I aim at £300 (which I believe may be an underestimate) - or try for lower?

lil_me

**Another August failure sneaks in and waves, hello everyone **

Right this month I am not going to be stupid and try to aim lower, I'll stick with what May was (was a 4 week month as last one was 5, July was lower because of massive overstock) and add the overspends for August into it then once I am comfy try to reduce again.

So that is - £300 for the month, for me, DP, & 2 sons. 2 Large dogs, lizard and fish. This is for everything inc food (all meals as DP works evenings and takes food, sons packed lunches etc) cleaning, toiletries, takeaways, food out etc.

Curlywurlygirly I would find out what you are spending first then go from there. Most recommend 10% off max at a time. I halved mine because I was spending over £800 a month.

redsquirrel80

Damn Tesco! Two days after I do my big stocking-up shop my clubcard vouchers arrive! :rolleyes: There's a couple of £2/3 off if you spend £20 which are dated so I won't be able to use them.. mind you I don't think I could have carried any more on Thursday so would have been struggling if I'd spent £20! Oh well, shouldn't grumble, £6.50 of 'free' shopping this month!

irishwexford

how can I get rid of the edit sign on my posts please.

stiltoncheese

Mr T's arrived today - came to £68.57 which is my bulk shop for the month plus enough fresh for the week. Everything is bulging which is great (I love shopping delivery day).

That should leave me £19.43 to buy fruit, veg and milk for the month (only me to buy for so should easily achieve this).

Galaxy bar was lush by the way (threw some in the freezer to prolong its lushness!)

Sig updated so good luck everyone for the new month!

spendaholic

First shop of the new regime and I failed dismally. My budget for the 5-week month is £150, which is £30 per week, and yesterday's came to £51, despite sticking to a list.

Not to worry, though. I'll just reduce the next 4 weeks to £25. My Tesco vouchers arrived so those should help next time.

Anything below my "shopping budget", rather than going towards my PMS pot (I have "going out" money and "change jar" money for that), I want any difference to pay for a ticket to the ballet, which I'll be going to to celebrate finishing my OU exam in October.

Bobbykins

Hi Spendaholic. I'm no expert at all, having only been doing the challenge for a couple of months and having failed myself last month but, if it's any consolation to you, I've been finding that I tend to spend a lot the first 2 weeks of the month and then it sort of "evens itself out" and, because I've stocked up my cupboards in the first couple of weeks, I don't need to spend as much towards the end of the month.

So, don't despair yet! Good luck!

JAMIEDODGER

in again for september. 4 week month for me so £280 for all food, pet food and toiletries for me, 4 kids, a hamster, 2 chickens and 4 cats.

i have more than enough cat food in:D huge 10kg sack from local pet food centre for 15.49, toiletries i am pretty much ok for most things but will need to get a few bits. hoping that kids going back to school will reduce shopping a bit as they seem constantly hungry when at home! will need some more chicken food though.