November 2007 Grocery Challenge

rosieben

LouiseJ wrote: »

... he really isnt buying into the MS and says we are OK for money so why am I bothering with budgets, the thing is though I would rather save for our and the childrens future than overspend on groceries and booze.

Louise, isnt there something you could 'bribe' him with, whateve you save on groceries etc put towards something really nice/big that you could all enjoy (OH too!!) maybe a really nice holiday, or new car or one of those new fangled hd tv's??? there might be something that would sway him? Once you got him into the right frame of mind it might be easier to get him to continue?

if not, just give yourself a huge pat on the back for your own MS successes!

belfastgirl23

Hi LouiseJ, we are in a similar position with the alcohol thing. In the end up it comes out of a seperate budget. I contribute to it esp when good deals etc come up at tesco but if DH wants expensive wine or any extra then he buys it from his own money rather than joint money. Maybe this is a way to approach it if you have any seperate accounts?

BTW the health argument is the only one that holds any sway in our house too...

mikeD

brummiebabe wrote: »

I have been doing Tesco online shopping but have been sticking to my 'favourites' as it's easier. However, did actually go to Tesco on Friday to try & look at cheaper alternatives...did find some, but not sure what difference they'll make long term!

Anyhow...sorry for rambling

Why don't you try https://www.mysupermarket.com It's pretty easy to use once you've got through the registration process. You can upload your Favourites from either Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury or Waitrose (Ocado). When you've finished your shop you have a facility to compare prices and substitute if you want to. Also if you're registered with ipoints you get points based on the value of you shop.

Did routine fortnightly shop at Tesco using MySupermarket. Came to around £74 including delivery, but saved myself £7 by using MySupermarket's Swap options. :j

irishwexford

Well I am within budget this month.:j Received money off vouchers from Tesco for December and as we still have so much food I will not do an order until the second week when the offer is £7. off a shop of £50. I have decided to buy air miles with my clubcard vouchers but have £14. top up to spend plus £75 from jam jar challange. Found some carrots bought at local market in fridge, normally would have thrown these out but added pototo, basil, onion and garlic and we have just eaten very tasty soup. I am a bit worried I am turning into an earth mother. Will be knitting tea-cosies next.
Bank balances are looking very healthy.

elly2

Although my Nov gc doesn't end until the 31st i think i have lost it again i think i need to start keeping a spending diary tbh, visited the meat man on saturday and spent £70 although this should do 30 + meals so wont be going to see him again until january. Not sure of the total spend this month and am thinking about next months now, i need to stock up on pasta cereal cat food and other bits and pieces. Roll on december :rotfl: (have £48 for morrisons for xmas treats) so will see if i can keep to budget again. Just thought it might not be as bad as first thought I have a sack of pots,full cupboards, full freezers, 3 healthy start vouchers, £5 tesco voucher and enough cat food to last till sat so might get away with a £20 budget this week.

nopot2pin

I have gone over again.... I think I have anyway.
I still have another week left of my GC.

I had a bit of a set back last week... as I lost my bank card. I thought this would help me not spending.
But it didn't, as I used money from my bill paying account :eek: :eek:
So when I do the number crunching later tonight I will have to do a little bit of shuffling of the money....

I dont think that I have gone over as much as I did last month... but will post later to let you all know.

Well done to all those who come in on budget:D :T

WelshWoofer

Just a quick question....
When will the December thread start up?
I'm still basking in the afterglow of not going over the November budget and want to get to grips with December whilst the momentum is still with me!

I'm thinking of starting the month on Dec 3rd (when I get back from Canada) and ending on the 23rd (but my sister is staying with me for a week of that time) - Christmas (with 4 visitors!!:eek: ) will be budgeted for separately and I'll live on what ever's left until the 31st!

So for the 3 weeks prior to Christmas I'm going for £75 for all toiletries, household stuff, food and dog food.
We'll see.............

tattycath

Hi Everyone.
My December challenge will start on 1st December through to 31st. I am going for £200 for groceries, toiletries, cleaning materials & cat food. I also have £100 Morrisons savings stamps I have been buying over the last few months-I have included some of them in my November budget. The question is - seeing as though I have already paid for them do I have to include them in my £200 budget? or can they be extra to that? If I did have them as extra would I be cheating on the budget?

Bobbykins

tattycath wrote: »

The question is - seeing as though I have already paid for them do I have to include them in my £200 budget? or can they be extra to that? If I did have them as extra would I be cheating on the budget?

Hi Tattycath....my vote would be that it isn't cheating!

You have already paid for them so, really, they are now part of their own separate "Christmas" budget IFSWIM. Spend them and enjoy it...well done!!:T :T :T

rosieben

I had the same dilemma with my morrisons stamps, I used it to buy christmas extras but also bought quite a lot of store cupboard stuff. I didnt count it in the GC, as bobbykins says, it was already paid