January 2019 Grocery Challenge

YorksLass

The separate freezer fund idea came about because we like shellfish and, if DH goes to the fishmonger in the market, he gets a bit of a discount if we buy big bags of frozen. We probably replace the stock about every 9 weeks or thereabouts, so it's much more affordable to have the cash already there instead of having to take the money out of one week's budget.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say I won't be shopping at all this week. Yesterday I went through the fridge/freezer/cupboards and was taken aback at how much food we have. Although we didn't go overboard at Xmas (definitely didn't buy as much as I usually do), there seems to be an innordinate amount of "stuff". Tbf, some of it came from a hamper that we were gifted so I know we definitely don't need cheese, cheese biscuits, chutney, sweet biscuits, cakes or chocolates. Honestly, the chocolates alone will probably last all year!

Today I've frozen slices of roast pork in gravy (we had roast pork for Xmas), chunked some up to make a pork & pepper loaf for tomorrow and have thin strips ready cut for a sweet & sour stir-fry on Monday. DS & DDiL brought us some cooked roast beef slices, some of which we've had and the rest will make a curry. Then there's a gammon joint in the fridge for NY, so that will be yet more meat to deal with! The menu seems to have been so meat-heavy of late that it will be nice to have a salad tonight by way of a change.

I've also hoicked out some veg that needs using up and have made 4 portions of veg soup. Plus I have some ys leeks that have been earmarked for leek & potato soup. Good job there's wriggle room in the freezer.

pennywisepoundstupid

Please can I join in as I really need to get a grip on grocery spends as December was a spendy month.

I've budgeted £300 for January this is for groceries and cleaning stuff for 2 adults and 2 teenagers with big appetites. Lots of toiletries received for Christmas so shouldn't need anything but toothpaste and I have loads of boots points which I could use. Pet food/animal feed comes from a separate budget and buy in bulk from agricultural feed place. Chickens have thankfully started laying again so can start baking cakes and egg based dishes a lot more.

debtfreeforlife

I fell off the grocery budget wagon about halfway through 2018 but this seems like a good time to get back on. Can I set £200 for the January budget please?

becky170

Hello, can I be put down for £450 for January? Was slightly over budget in December so hoping to stick to the budget in January! Thank you

Bexim

Rejoining all of MSE this year. I'd like to be put down for £300 this month this is staggeringly high to me, but I figured out we are probably at about £60 a week all in, and it's a 5 week month for me. The aim this month is to be aware and start trimming down next month, so if I can get it under I'll be thrilled, and extremely disappointed if I've underestimated our spends! This is going to be all groceries and household stuff, but not currently including the cats or OH's lunches when he doesn't take his, as he pays for those. Sometime this month we become a family of 4, but will still only be feeding 2 adults and one extremely picky toddler, so it ought to be ok! I just need to remember to check back and stick to this now!

MadamMim2013

:hello: to everyone & thanks elsiepac for bringing us into 2019 with heaps of enthusiasm, it's great to see so many of us supporting each other.
I am in again for £300 will see how this goes as we seem to have so much stuff left & I really didn't buy a lot in for Christmas..
Have already set up a bag of items for the food bank, we do not need 4 tins of sweets, 2 boxes of biscuits etc so shall be sharing (also stops the choc/biscuit overload).
Wishing everyone the kind of new year they want/need/deserve! :lovethoug

ancientmum

Hello all, and thank you elsiepac for starting this thread.
Please can you put me down for annual spend of £2000.This is to cover groceries,cleaning stuff, everyday toiletries, takeaways and pet food.
This is for me and DS3 when he is home from uni, two cats, and a crested gecko.

[Deleted User]

I did a YS shop at Mr T last night and spent £13.47. We were mostly looking for bread for to put in the freezer for OHs lunches so did quite well.

Planning another small spend today on bits to make broccoli & Stilton soup.

millionaire_in_training

Well I have just cleared out my fridge and I am horrified at the amount of food I have just thrown out. My kids have opened so many things and they have just been left . I'm annoyed and will be having words with them later. I am happy for them to eat whatever they want but not when the rest of the pack gets wasted. Does my head in

Novice_investor101

Stopped by T on my way home & spent £1.44 on a loaf & some cereal bars for work pack up. I was good & bought just those two things. Helps to go straight in & out rather than getting caught up in browsing. Total for Jan now £3.28/£50.