November 2007 Grocery Challenge

flossyblog

Hello everyone

Things are going pear shaped, instead of improving, I’m going downhill. Spent €149.92 so far and it’s only the 14th November.

kbl

Have just updated my siggy, knew I was doing really badly but didn't update every day as I should, counted all receipts and have already gone over budget. My freezer is packed, have all toiletries, washing powder, cleaning stuff and pet food etc. but am low on milk, veg, fruit, you know the every day stuff you want to buy fresh. The way I was trying to do it was working the same way as usual, just cutting back. I get 400 a week, 200 of that goes on outstanding bills, while the other 200 is supposed to do all of above and clothes, kid's school lunch money (27), catalogues, birthday pressies etc. I usually borrow from Peter to pay Paul but am sick of it, that's why I decided to try this. If I could stick to budget, that would free up an extra 80 a week so I could pay off extra, bit too ambitious eh? will have to go lick my wounds and rethink everything again. Sorry for the rant, most of my friends are well off so can't talk to them and my oh is worried enough.

rosieben

flossyblog wrote: »

Hello everyone

Things are going pear shaped, instead of improving, I’m going downhill. Spent €149.92 so far and it’s only the 14th November.

Hi Flossy, sorry to hear you're having probs. is it because you've had extra expenses, people for dinner? your OH filling your trolley with goodies not on your shopping list ??? you do have a shopping list? I find thats the best way of keeping track.

dont give up! could you give yourself a week challenge to use up what you have in the cupboard and freezer, and keep shopping to an absolute minimum??

dont have any more suggestions but please post more details if you like and I'm sure other people will have some useful tips.

rosieben

kbl wrote: »

Have just updated my siggy, knew I was doing really badly but didn't update every day as I should, counted all receipts and have already gone over budget....
I usually borrow from Peter to pay Paul but am sick of it, that's why I decided to try this. If I could stick to budget, that would free up an extra 80 a week so I could pay off extra, bit too ambitious eh? will have to go lick my wounds and rethink everything again. Sorry for the rant, most of my friends are well off so can't talk to them and my oh is worried enough.

Hi kbl, dont get disheartened! sounds like you have a really good stock of everything so next month's spends should be less.

meantime, are you meal planning for the week/month? that would help as you could be using what you have in stock, rather than buy more stuff.

only other advice I can think of is to make a shopping list and stick to it; make the list to match the weeks menu and that should avoid last minute runs to the shop for one item and coming out having spent £30 (I used to do this!! :eek: )

meanmarie

Hi kbl....are we talking 400 in euro or sterling? From what I read here I think that I would be going to Derry for my shopping as its nearer and shopping in Tesco...have to admit I know nothing about Sainsburys

Can't remember if you have a Lidl or Aldi close by, they are good in my opinion for fruit, veg, cheese and ham/salami stuff, so maybe you could get your fresh stuff there and add in milk...but tbh, I think that the only way to go is to make absolutely sure that you only buy what you want, either by meal planning or eating out of your stores.

Good luck, you can do it, but don't be too upset if it takes a while to get yourself sorted

Marie

belfastgirl23

kbl wrote: »

Have just updated my siggy, knew I was doing really badly but didn't update every day as I should, counted all receipts and have already gone over budget. My freezer is packed, have all toiletries, washing powder, cleaning stuff and pet food etc. but am low on milk, veg, fruit, you know the every day stuff you want to buy fresh. The way I was trying to do it was working the same way as usual, just cutting back. I get 400 a week, 200 of that goes on outstanding bills, while the other 200 is supposed to do all of above and clothes, kid's school lunch money (27), catalogues, birthday pressies etc. I usually borrow from Peter to pay Paul but am sick of it, that's why I decided to try this. If I could stick to budget, that would free up an extra 80 a week so I could pay off extra, bit too ambitious eh? will have to go lick my wounds and rethink everything again. Sorry for the rant, most of my friends are well off so can't talk to them and my oh is worried enough.

kbl you're still fairly new at this and it does take a few months for it to properly bed in so don't be too hard on yourself. Also in the spirit of sharing experiences are you by any chance a comfort shopper? As one myself I think I might see the signs - licking wounds also equals packed cupboards for me. If you are, it's much better to stay away from supermarkets as much as possible. I know I am not to be trusted in a supermarket unless I have a very specific list and for small purchases it is better to go to the corner shop (even if more expensive) cos I won't be tempted so much.

But these are things you learn about yourself as you keep going on. If you could get there all at once it wouldn't be called learning so don't beat yourself up about it!

BTW off MeanMarie's suggestion there is def a Lidl in Derry on the Buncrana road. I've also used it a few times and found it pretty good.

belfastgirl23

flossyblog wrote: »

Hello everyone

Things are going pear shaped, instead of improving, I’m going downhill. Spent €149.92 so far and it’s only the 14th November.

Hi Flossie, I'm going to say something a bit controversial on this thread cos I know there are people out there who are spending tiny amounts of money on food. Hats off to them, I am astonished and impressed. But I'm not one of them. If your motivation for cutting down on spending is debt or whatever then you're right to aim so low. But I just wanted to say that to me 130 euro for 2 people for a month is a very challenging target. I'm going for £160-£170 (240 euro) for two people.

What I'm trying to say cack-handedly is that you might be aiming so low that you're setting yourself up for failure. That's why I started aiming for a range rather than an exact amount, it made success much easier. And for me success breeds success.

Just a POV, you know best your own motivations etc and if you are really overspending or not..

Good luck anyway. If it was dead easy we wouldn't all be on here all the time for support.

LouiseJ

Just had my beef in ale casserole from Lidl reduced steak bought this morning £1.04 for 400g easily made enough for 4 of us and used a Knorr beef tonight in ale (2 for £2) served with roast pots, broccoli (reduced to 10p) carrots and yorkshire puds. It was B****y lovely and I'm stuffed, really can't be bothered with night class tonight!

Will use other pack of steak at the weekend with other Beef tonight (Bourginion), hope its as nice.

Keep going everyone, halfway through the month already!

rosieben

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

H
...
What I'm trying to say cack-handedly is that you might be aiming so low that you're setting yourself up for failure. That's why I started aiming for a range rather than an exact amount, it made success much easier. And for me success breeds success.

Just a POV, you know best your own motivations etc and if you are really overspending or not..

Good luck anyway. If it was dead easy we wouldn't all be on here all the time for support.

Well said, BF :T

I think there's something in the first post of the GC threads about not aiming too low, better to do it gradually until you find your comfort zone.

We shouldnt be too worried about what other people are spending because we'e all in differing situations, with differing tastes and different reasons for joining the GC.

egon

I haven't joint the challenge for this month, but I am still keeping a record.

So far spend this month £ 165.94. Budget is £240 for 2 A and 2 kids, including baby stuff, toiletries etc.
I also just done my T order, which comes in around £72...
So, by tomorrow evening we will be over......
But I am still thrilled, as we moved three weeks ago, and had to stock up on everything!

Just reading about Lidl (my favourite! for xmas sweet.....)
I think, from next week on, I'll buy my friut, veg and meat there. I do know, that their veg is usually cheaper. Just couldn't be bothered this week. How lazy! :mad: