August 2017 Grocery Challenge

JingsMyBucket

Also, over the last few days I've returned about $23 worth of stuff I don't need or will be too big for me to lug back across the pond. I'll return another big item in the next few days to Target too that's about $5 but weighs a good 5lb at least. That'll be a relief for my luggage and my bum shoulder. I bought a trial size version of it yesterday in Target that's much more portable.

I'm not really conceptually adding these returns back as credit to my grocery balance but maybe that's where my buffer can come from later on if need be?

pamsdish

Thanks armchairexpert will give it a go.

euronorris

Popped to Morrisons on Saturday with DD to get some wine for me, wine for SIL (which I then forgot to take yesterday!), beer for DH, bread, dr pepper, a few treats, other things I now can't remember. Anyway, came to £28.29 (According to bank statement).


DH will have bought some sandwiches or something on his way to fishing on Saturday as he wasn't organised enough! Grr! Need to get figure from him.


And I spent £5.29 this morning on cashew nuts, mini marshmallows, newspaper (for the token inside), diet pepsi and crisps.


New total: £262.03/£300


The real challenge begins now, as don't want to go over that budget!!


I am so tired this morning! Spent most of yesterday chasing DD around SIL's garden, as she kept trying to put anything and everything in her mouth (pebbles, leafs, petals, slugs.....bleugh!).

pipkin71

PipneyJane wrote: »

Anyway, that's why I'm doing this. What about you?

A change of finances meant that now was as good a time as any, to return to the grocery challenge and old style, generally.

My health isn't great but I was working from home doing permitted work, then I started earning too much per week to continue that so had to cancel my ESA claim and start claiming working tax credits. Child tax credits and child benefit ends this month as well.

Whilst our finances have changed, I would still like us to enjoy the things we like so focusing on one area of spends and making the most of what we have / what we buy, means that there is more money for other luxuries

euronorris

In response to PipneyJane, we are doing this to cut down our spends on food as it a) forces us to cook more meals, which are typically more wholesome b) cuts down on wasted food, which we hate and c) allows us to save more money towards replacing our car (or repairing it in the meantime if needs be) and eventually towards saving for a house deposit.

DaisyWalker

thought I was doing so well bought a YS bag of new potatoes at the weekend and used a third for dinner then a third for a tortilla that was going to last for four breakfasts. Except I wasn't careful enough so this morning I had a tiny amount of edible tortilla surrounded by loads of runny egg. I got off the train feeling both sick and hungry so had to buy myself something quickly and got a pastry for £1.60. Hopefully tonight I can put the three remaining pieces back in the oven so they won't be wasted too (haven't got a microwave which would be the surest solution).

But after hours of cooking and preparing last night I've brought my lunch with me and today is the seventh day in a row with no takeaways. Hurrah! Still buying sandwiches but that's providing a bit of variety for my partner so £2-3 a couple of times a week is better than my buying and preparing meat for him separately to our usual meals. It's hard enough getting back into cooking without learning entirely new skills.

I'm interested reading people's different motivations for doing the challenge. For me it's a moral-cultural thing rather than financial. I'm OK for money (though there are many things I'd rather spend it on than groceries) but I don't believe I should be wasting it so much. Adding to this I think food is really important and that I should put care into its preparation and consumption. I am unhappy with the lack of control over food buying I've been experiencing so want to regain a structure to shopping, planning, cooking, and eating that's healthier and more ... loving perhaps?

dangerbadger

Just done my second shop of the month - £4.15 in L1dl on veg, so total spend so far is £56.96.

Ginmonster

In answer to why I've joined the GC it's to get some control over our finances, stop us ending up overdrawn on a regular basis and plan to not have to work until we're 102. Well, the current figure is 68 but who knows if it'll still be that by the time we get there!

pamsdish

I wanted to get some control over my spending, I had no sense of values, I was in a good job dealing with money, £100s and £1000s, it was just figures to me, very well paid, my most expensive commodity was time, eg, husband in hospital for months, I was buying new pyjamas as I had no time to put in wash and dry them.
Now it`s just me not a great pension but I still want to enjoy life, so watching the pennies to grow into pounds.

MrsSave

Just a quick update. 2 out of the 4 shops done this month, and a few extras for a family get together.

So far I have spent

£108.91/£200

.