March 2019 Grocery Challenge

Lifeisforliving19

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

Welcome dollypeeps, tracking this month is a really sensible way to start.

A good next step is to make a log of everything you already have in - cupboard staples, freezer contents and lurking things you bought a while ago. It is a great way of using what you have and making your shopping list shorter

I agree....I have enough pasta in the cupboard for the next 6 months I think....:rotfl:

tighteningthebelt

shirlgirl2004 wrote: »

I joined last month and allowed £400 per month, unfortunately my month run 15th -14th which doesn't work with the MSE challenges. To combat this I've decided to set a budget of £85 per week (or to keep things easy per Saturday in the month). So joining her from Friday and as there will be 3 Saturdays before the end of the month that'll be £255; sounds a lot but hoping the April budget will be less because of it (although the children will be off school so maybe not).

My dates don't match up either, one reason I've gone 'annual'. Whatever works is fine.

shirlgirl2004

tighteningthebelt wrote: »

My dates don't match up either, one reason I've gone 'annual'. Whatever works is fine.

I think if I went annual it'd all be gone by September. As I'm just starting out I need the short term accountability. Hopefully once I'm in the groove I'll be able to go longer term.

euronorris

£3.47 - Lidl
£2.23 - Lidl - tinned veg, paracetemol & ibuprofen, pasa
£19.82 - Tesco - Fizzy pop, kitchen roll, teabags, tinned tomatoes, butter
£0.85 - Lidl - Chocolate
£14.47 - McDonalds - I am weak.....
£4.92 - Lidl
£8.91 - Lidl - more tinned veg, pasta and some bits for parents who are visiting this weekend
£2.79 - Lidl - cereal and pickle
£8.05 - Morrisons (drinks for parents who are visiting this weekend)
£1 - Morrisons (pom bears for DD)


£270.37/£300


This only leaves me a small amount to last until payday. But, only need to buy a chicken later this week and then next week will only be top up stuff (bread, milk and fruit/veg etc). Have obviously spent more this week in anticipation of parents visit, and have been picking up little extras here and there to build up a bit of a store cupboard in case of you know what.

Merlin's_Beard

£24.64 spent which takes me up to £86.37 for the month... oops? I should only need to do one more shop this month but I don't think £13 is going to see me through!

I might not have to go shopping for anything but bread for the next six months though, got a cupboard full of tins and a freezer full of veg, meat and emergency pizza.

K9sandFelines

K9sandFelines wrote: »

Found missing receipt, so altogether £12.52

£2.54 spent last night (11th) in work and impending Sainsburys shop tomorrow, which should come to £44.90.

Off to add up now as it might shock me into not spending so much the rest of the month

Doom_and_Gloom

Since last post we have spent £60.57.

For dinner I'm having vegetable stew with courgetti.
OH dinner will be steak and garlic bread.

£173.62/£248
£74.38 left.

dollypeeps

:mad::mad: OMG WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TEABAGS.....THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!!!!! I don't think I've EVER run out of teabgs!!:mad::mad:

Well I suppose it's a good thing that I'm noting my spending and as I was suggested earlier to start doing an inventory ......

I think I'm just as mad at having to note a 'spend' today too thinking I was going to have a NSD ......this is soo addictive ....but sooo maddening and almost embarrassing highlighting gaps in what should be a cupboard staple........

Right today list will comprise of my daily housework to get the house looking ok .....one dept clean task...making sage and onion stuffing to freeze and shopping for teabgs ....slinks off and hangs head in shame

Ginmonster

dollypeeps wrote: »

:mad::mad: OMG WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TEABAGS.....THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!!!!

That's a proper emergency. I'm having palpitations even thinking about no tea!

I did a stock up on some fruit, salad bits, cheese, butter and a couple of random things we'd run out of. My only not really necessary purchase was rhubarb and custard hot cross buns. Hopefully they'll be as nice as they sound.

I spent £21.85 so I'm a bit over where I should be for the month but nothing too bad.

63.22/120

EdithB

Thanks for the welcomes, hints and tips upthread. I've been reading lots on here and am much more aware of my spending now. I'm currently at £206.39/£395.00 and am sure I will be able to stay pretty close to budget.

The second purse thing has fascinated me and, since I use cards, not cash, I've opened a savings account linked to my current account for that very purpose. I've got a bit of a stockpile going on (for the B-word-that-shall-not-be-mentioned) and when I use something from that I'm going to pay into the 2ndP account, so hopefully that will build quite nicely.

Next, I need to do an inventory and plan meals around that, rather than just thinking of what I fancy and popping out for it. What do you guys use for tracking cupboard and freezer stock? I saw that someone had mentioned the 'Out of Milk' app, which I'd never heard of before - is it good for stock management purposes or do I really need to do a spreadsheet?