September 2016 Grocery Challenge

Ladyluck1

£3.99 Lidl fresh veg/salad top up will add to total later

[Deleted User]

sharronej wrote: »

I like the idea of a second purse, how do you use yours please Donnajt? I'm thinking if I have any money left at the end of the week I could put it in there but maybe you have a better way?

There are lots of different ways to do things, depends what you think will suit you better. Some people put a set amount, but I don't want to be constrained by that amount, If I really want to get some bargains - though I don't really stockpile too much - I do a buyback. If I see something on offer, but am not maybe going to be using it that month, I will put it in the pantry with a price on. When I come to use it, I will incorporate that price into that months budget. I have some vitamins from H&B and would maybe do it with toilet rolls, coffee etc., stuff that is a particularly good offer, or maybe an Approved Food shop - not done that for years mind.

claireyfairy82

thriftwizard wrote: »

Freezer disaster! One of the Offspring left the door of the small freezer slightly ajar overnight; a drawer wasn't properly back in place... Whilst we haven't lost too much in financial terms (we do have freezer insurance but won't be claiming, as a lot of it was home-grown or saved leftovers for pies etc.) this means the budget will be well & truly bust again this month as I'll have to re-stock. Though I will do this gradually, not all at once...

My daughter did this the other month, I spent 2 days frantically cooking it all and refreezing I was lucky it was mainly frozen raw meat.


Another couple of small spends at the Co-op:
£7.36 on frozen veg, I dont buy frozen veg too often but need to save time at night just now as I have loads of late nights at work.
£6.46 on bread etc.


Started my meal plan for the month at last (not had 5 minutes to even think about it) I think if I keep myself orgainised i.e take something out the freezer I wont need to buy anything else except bread, cold meat, milk and yoghurts.


Taking something out the freezer is my biggest issue I always forget, no-one in my family seems to know where it is; I could provide them a map I suppose. There are trays of homemade lasagne, chilli's, curries, pasta bakes and pre chopped up chicken etc in there, so I can be organised if I really try very hard!! I'm going on holiday next month so hoping any underspend can go towards my spending money while I'm away, should buy a few meals out.

AccyAlly

Updated sig, and had 3 NsD! Although that is only because I have been recuperating after a minor op on Monday. Today I have tidied my store cupboards out whilst Hubby at work and got rid of all the tinned stuff from the dark ages, we didn't eat it in 2004 (that was the earliest dated item) and therefore we ain't gonna eat it now.:eek: That also goes for the herbs and spices I got for that special recipe and never used again!
My cupboards are now organised, I still have plenty in and I have meals planned for the next 20 days. Therefore only top up shops needed i.e.milk, bread, fruit, salad and wine! Feeling accomplished!:D
Now for a little rest and then a walk, hoping to go back to work in the next couple of days.

flipper_72

I had to make a trip into town so went to Iceland and picked up a few things, I also picked up a couple of bags of soya mince on bogohp from Holland and Barrett. Ithen decided I may as well go to aldi to save going on Thursday as I had my list with me so total spend yesterday £39.83.
Month to date 114.18/250

Milly-Ann-Molly

Shop number two of the month already! A lidl trip (first one in ages) and we spent just £54.07... A hundred pound cheaper than my usual weekly shop. Looks like the pantry inventory, shopping list and menu planning is starting to pay off I hope it stays like this as I budgeted £300 for the month in the hope of halving our grocery bills... Now we are at a total of £219 spent of our £300 budget... So only £81 left for September... It will be hard to do... But I have splurged on CC and bought a bread maker, ice cream maker and an actifry (in the bank holiday sales) and have dusted off the slow-cooker... So better portion sizes and healthier ingredients / left overs can be utilised better = less wastage and less cost... Also hoping to save money by not having to pay for diet class and gym memberships (plan on walking my two dogs more and using my national trust membership!!) fingers crossed the packed lunches and picnic treats keep working... Good luck everyone else with your food savvy ways

purpleybat

have made my list for tomorrows shop and costed it, £12, hopefully I can stick to it and avoid impulse buys. I'm usually pretty good at sticking to a list.

Florence_J

I don't know if this is in every store, but Iceland sent me an email today to save Cathedral Cheese is on offer at £1.50 for a 350g pack. Need to buy cheese tomorrow so will head straight there.

Made a Lasagne (Wednesday night tradition) and only used a small amount of Quorn mince as there was only a bit left in the bag and I didn't want to open a new one. Bulked it up with grated carrots that were looking past their best, tinned green lentils, courgette, frozen onions, peppers and sweetcorn.

Today has been my 3rd NSD. Just a few more of these and we might just be ok this month.

Petula

Had a Sainsbugs delivery yesterday - £65.90 which included all of the household goods I should need for the month; kitchen roll, loo roll, laundry items etc... It is early and a bit hard to tell being my first month doing the challenge, but I think I'm on track

sig updated

Matody

Florence_J wrote: »

I don't know if this is in every store, but Iceland sent me an email today to save Cathedral Cheese is on offer at £1.50 for a 350g pack. Need to buy cheese tomorrow so will head straight there.

I got that email also, going to buy the 4 packs that we can I really like Cathedral Cheese!

For my first week I spent 90.47 I made 13.67 cash back on the two new apps, so my totals minus money made will be 76.82.. as I was planning to save until December and use the amount to help toward Christmas I think I'm going to declare the total before cashback for this.. so leaves me 209.51 for the month!