January 2017 Grocery Challenge. NEW BEGINNINGS!

freyasmum

Franalamadingdong wrote: »

I'll be doing a fresh inventory of everything in the morning. Thanks for the noodle suggestions. The way DS has been getting on my nerves I feel like feeding him stir fry just to annoy him back!

:rotfl::rotfl: They know JUST the right buttons to hit sometimes, don't they?

I've done a freezer and cupboard inventory and we have enough either ready prepared meals (I always deliberately cook more than we need and freeze the rest for OH's work 'lunches') that just need to be defrosted or the ingredients in to make at least 42 individual meals, and the main components in to make many more.

I'm determined to really stick to our budget this year and, during our chat this afternoon, OH and I have resolved to only spend what we absolutely need, at least in January. We do have Christmas money if there are any 'wants' . On the plus side, we haven't spent a penny aaaalll year so far

cw18

I really, really need to get back to this.

My grocery bills seem to have crept up over the year, and my huge stock mounting isn't decreasing :eek:

Whilst some of the increases can't be avoided I know I've not always considered if I really need something before buying it. I'm still adapting my diet to low fat due to high cholesterol, low sugar due to being at risk of diabetes, and no/low dairy due to being mildly lactose intolerant. And that's on top of burning so many calories at work I need about 50% more calories every day than I would in an office job, which means more food / higher grocery bills!

But with a built in fridge/freezer that's long overdue being replaced (getting more unreliable on a monthly basis) and a car that seems to be hinting it's time it was 'retired' by giving me regular repair bills and developing faults that are too costly to repair (but won't cause an MOT failure) I need to be getting some savings together, and this is one of the very few areas where I think I can still make savings - so back to meal planning, using up of stocks, and recording every single grocery spend it is

My budget for January is £151, which includes the replacement value of anything I use from stock (the replacement value then being put into my savings). That's for 31 days of feeding me, plus 9 days of feeding OH. It may also have to stretch to a couple of days of feeding his niece, but she's young and without a huge appetite so shouldn't really impact it much.....

lynnejk

Evening all

Guess we all started with an NSD :rotfl:

Islandmaid wrote: »

Quick question - I was given some vouchers before Christmas and have used some to fill the freezer - should I count this as part of the budget or not? Sounds daft but I don't want to 'cheat'

Personally I would count it. It's kind of like 'cheating' yourself if you spend money outside your gc budget ifswim, as you are 'spending' money on things you would otherwise spend from your budget. Of course, it's entirely up to you how you run things

turbo5019 wrote: »

Also how do I make bread crumbs do u put the bread in the oven before blitzing them down?
Thanks

I leave the bread out on the side for a few hours to dry, turning now and then, and then blitz and freeze. Can then use as or toast if required.

Hope you all have a super Monday
Lx

olaf2014

Just seen this I would like to join but I'll have to have a read in the morning hope u don't mind

t14cy_t

spends of £9 yesterday on basics. keeping to a budget of £80 for the 2 of us this month, doesnt include pet stuff though! xx

Islandmaid

Well I spent £45 of my vouchers and have filled my freezer with meat and fish - £30 of vouchers left for next month - well chuffed....

I have read your replies (thank you for that) and have plumped for using the vouchers like a second purse, like a lot of us I had run the freezer down to make room for Christmas stuff, so was pretty sparse after.

I will 'buy' stuff weekly from my new stash.

I still intend to scoop and savings into my CC account I want to kill that account ASAP.

Florence_J

£1 on milk, also bought tissues yesterday for 80p. I'm not sure if I declared them.

My food deliveries come today so I will post how much they come to once confirmed.

Poor_Single_lady

£30.31 left broken down as Lidl, lunch and breakfast roll at work, Iceland and Tesco.
25 days to go but a lot in the cupboard and this doesn't include toiletries or house things.
Tonight frozen pizza from Iceland with mushroom and onion and extra cheese. It's been in there about 6 months and every time I see it I think "that needs eating" then I order a dominos.

The new year and this thread are both making a difference. Thank you to everyone, and to Coxy for running.
xxx

summerlady_2

Could I please join with £200 for January?


I haven't been on the forum for a while and my spending, food waste and weight have all gone up. I know I spend far too much now, but don't really have any idea what I spend on since I stopped taking my notebook out with me.


I have been using up stocks so I need to replace some less frequently used items, but plan to reduce my monthly spend by at least £10 a month by better habits.


Off to read through the thread now for inspiration.

Frugaliza

Please put me down for £300/month. No I am not feeding an army but I've not done this before and so not sure where to start....