March 2017 Grocery Challenge

meg72

armchairexpert wrote: »

Did the week's grocery shop on Saturday and between that and my earlier Ald! trip I've somehow spent $337 - so that's a third of the monthly budget and it's the 6th day of a long month. Doesn't bode well, considering I didn't buy anything in bulk, though. I do have a few soups in the freezer and I definitely overbought on lunch/snack things that I can stretch out for two weeks, but that's a small percentage of the costs. I spent $100 at the greengrocer, of which $80 was fresh seasonal fruit and veg: I can't get that cheaper unless we eat less fresh produce, and I'm obviously not going to do that. $60 at the butcher, that's cheapish cuts (chicken wings, sausages, lamp chops): we could eat less meat, but I already have 3 main meals this week that are veg or fish.

If I don't come out under $1200 I won't be surprised, but at least I'll know for sure.

LOL haven't got my glasses on and read it as £ sign, choked on my coffee at the thought of £100 at the greengrocers, Where do you live?

zafiro1984

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

Don't forget that one of our number who insulated her loft with on-offer toilet rolls in order to use her discount voucher... some years ago but it always stays with me, that one :rotfl:

I did a similar thing about 20yrs ago when air miles first came out. You could get triple air miles on some offers at Sain** I only bought 'deals'. I ended up with enough miles for a friend and me to go to Spain for 10days, both flights and hotels. Mind you, it was meant to be a shopping trip and I certainly spent. Bought seven horses, their national breed and all purebred.

How's the diet going, I looked up your diet, downloaded a kindle version and have started to give it a go.

Fruittea

Just back from my travels this weekend - so I haven't read back.
Whilst away I had an Hello Fresh delivery - I forgot to cancel it as I hadn't had one for months. So that will shoot the budget out of the water as it's £9 I think. I'll check after I've read back.
I just wanted to post this link: https://www.fivesoupsonus.co.uk/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Five%20Soups%20on%20Us%20Promo&utm_content=Five%20Soups%20on%20Us%20Promo+CID_7bd7dc27c58028297daa22d7b3753838&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Claim%20your%20money%20back%20here

I hope it works as you can try 5 different Cross and Blackwell soups and get the money back. Only from Tesco. It was sent to me from C & B. I give it a try anyway. Off to read back now and to add my totals.

tigerfeet2006

Morning folks.

I don't know how many of you may remember me. I was on this board nearly five years ago before we moved to the ME. We are now back in the U.K. and our looking for jobs and housing and living with relatives at the moment. Once we actually are settled some where I will be back on the Grocery Challenge as we will have a seriously reduced income and to be honest I'm not sure how we are going manage but I know with everyone's help and advice and support I can keep the grocery shopping under control. I'm not sure when we will be in our own place and able to start the challenge but I will be following the GC thread until then to learn about what's changed in the last five years.

Any one who wants to tell me their money saving secrets meanwhile can go ahead I won't object , we are probably going to be settling in Cornwall.

Fruittea

Hello Tigerfeet and welcome back. Cornwall is a lovely place to settle I'm sure you'll do fine and this bunch is very helpful. I have now spent £126.64/£150.00 so no more shopping for me and my meal plan is up the spout so I'll have to rethink things with the box from Hello Fresh as my expensive mistake.
I've also got the conditional spends from Tosco so will see what household stuff or presents I can buy without spending on food. I really must eat out of the freezer.
Whilst away I did manage to tempt family members to eat a chocolate cake and a Victoria sponge that I took with me - so there's a little dent in the freezer space - and the cakes were very nice.

Ginmonster

Had to nip to the shops again today to buy some cheese, bananas, peppers, tomatoes and apples. Mission accomplished but I also slipped and bought quorn sausages and nuggets as they were cheap. I don't really need them so I'm a little cross with myself. Spent £11.15 in total.


£27.83 / £100

Franalamadingdong

DS has savaged the bread! And he's been invited to a party on Sunday. I really wanted to stay away from the shops!

sweetpea26

Eventually update my purchases.

Cancelled Sbygs delivery as I felt a bit better.
Monday
Mr T's ...was out of cheese milk bananas and brown bread. Also bought 2 packs of paracetamol, ibuprofen, orange juice apples tomatoes.
£12.52

Also second transaction with 2 boxes of their lemon flu powders Reduced Lamb steaks and Finest Gammon steaks.
£10.95

Local grocer
Cat food (which I forgot in supermarket)
Coleslaw...yummy home made ..
£3.78

Tuesday
Popped into mrT's
reduced salad and lemons.
Potatoes, sprouts, mushrooms,
Big bag of cat food £3.50
Air Freshener
£7.55

Am disgusted with myself. I have had to throw away or put in compost lots of reduced fruit veg etc. I bought too much !!!! I didn't freeze it !!!! What a waste of money.

Really need to get a grip on waste. I hate to waste anything. Way too much in my freezer. Need to avoid shops and only purchase what I really need.

Rest of the week is use up what I have and meat will all be from freezer.

Meal plan
Wednesday
Lamb, potatoes, cabbage, onions and pre sliced mushrooms ( need used or they will be thrown away).
Thursday
Meat from freezer (unsure which yet) with potatoes, carrots peas.
Friday
Salmon (freezer) chips salad or veg
Saturday
Home made pizza, with peppers onions mushrooms mozzarella (reduced and in freezer)
Sunday
Chicken Balti and Korma from scratch.... rice (buy bulk on Amazonia) Nann Reduced and in freezer. Also little bit green salad.

Will need fresh bread on Saturday and possibly some ham for sandwiches.

That is the plan
Also I took cash out rather than use card and it certainly makes you think what you are spending.

caronc

On-line delivery today of £37 mainly on stuff for family birthday dinner of Saturday and re-stocking loo rolls and shampoo. Suspect family dinner may tip budget over this month but it's a spend I don't mind. Total so far is £72/£150

Islandmaid

I ran round Aldi today, bit later than I normally do - never again at that time, empty shelves - tired, bored school kids either running round like mad, or balling their eyes out, poor parents - it was like hearding cats!!!

At the other end of the scale, was an errrm older couple with hubby wielding the shopping trolley like a Sherman tank at anyone that came within 10 foot of him, blocking the aisles.

Hey ho made it out alive and £45 lighter