It's time to start digging up those Squirrelled Nuts!!!!

Mrs_Z

Thank you Sea Shell for the update and break down, always a fascinating read! Our household can't get anywhere near those figures, despite consisting of just 2 adults.  OH is not (and has never been) very MSE, I am definitely the MSE in our household, but I'm also in that category where I need to learn to SPEND.
We have a number of pets - and cost of these do add up - food, vet, insurance etc. However, this is an area where I'm happy to spend vs for example getting myself new clothes....
Having just completed the 2023 figures - couple of interesting things to note - overall, food expenditure was little bit down compared to last year, which is remarkable given the high inflation.  This I think is owing to OH's reduced alcohol consumption which has to be a positive from all angles, both health & money!  On the health side, couple of visits to the dentist (1 rootcanal, 2 crowns later) did bring this total well into 4 figures for myself alone. Possibly an area of expense that needs seriously taking into account as we get older, having also felt just a couple of tiny niggles on my left knee lately.....and reading about the queues for operations in the NHS!
Overall, having packed up work 3 years ago, the 'bottom line' on the spreadsheet is well on positive, in fact much more so than anticipated BUT this is due to one of life's curve balls - a totally unexpected inheritance (not a fortune but a respectable sum nevertheless - bitter sweet as it is). Again, serves us as a reminder that you can't take it with you.
Happy and healthy 2024 to everyone!

WYSPECIAL

bluenose1 said:

I have just retired from work, actually officially employed until 2nd January 24 so not quite but using holidays. 

I am going to take over the shopping budget from my husband and try and do all our shopping in Aldi / Lidl and Home Bargains as we waste money going to local village co-op, tesco express etc. Plus going to reduce our Sky TV and BB, paying well over £100 per month.
Have enjoyed reading your figures as ever Sea Shell, thanks for posting.

Congratulations on retiring. Did you get VR in the end? I remember reading your posts a couple of years back as I was heading to 55 at the same time and they were very helpful.
Enjoy your retirement.

Sea_Shell

Happy New Year everyone.

Big deccies clear up done, everything back in the loft!

QrizB

Happy New Year!

(I rarely post in this thread, but am an avid fan 😀 )

inflationbuster

I retired August of 2021 @ 46 and am now 49 and thoroughly enjoying my time.  I do not miss work one bit.   
My net worth excluding my home has continued to rise and I'm spending as much as l did when l worked, so my life has not been compromised despite the increase in bills.  I'm single no kids so no doubt that helps!  25% of my income is from interest and 75% from dividends (invested in individual equities).    If l have some capital gains then it's a bonus   I read this board quite a bit before taking the plunge.

zagfles

Albermarle said:

Sea_Shell said:

The other thing that is possibly a factor, is that we're not big eaters.

What about portion sizes?
Puddings or desserts?
Branded soft drinks?

You have made me have a double check  of grocery expenditure and of what might be the 'problem'

Ignoring December, average monthly expenditure minus alcohol is around £675, but taking into account that the two young adults are only here around two thirds of the time, my previous figure of £750 for 4 looks about right.

Even looking at the bills nothing really stands out.
Branded soft drinks - Yes but bought in 24 packs from Costco + cheap fizzy water
Fresh Salmon - Yes also bought in bulk from Costco
Puddings - only a few yoghurts

I think it is a cumulative effect of.
Generally not buying supermarket own label stuff. ( Soup, beans, coffee, tea etc)
Not buying 'Value' ranges for most things
Some experimenting in the kitchen
Use 5% fat mince ( more expensive) and chicken breasts ( not thighs or wings)
Large  supply of all kinds of fruits.
Eating 3 meals a day and rarely eating out or getting takeaways.
A few 'faddy' items ( not for me ) like a certain type of oat milk, different types of seeds
Family weakness for crisps.
Use expensive Persil liquid and cleaners ( not my choice !)
Large free range eggs

We do not waste much food either.

So nothing exotic, and all a bit middle of the road, but it just seems to add up. 

Supermarket own label stuff is quite often as good or better than branded stuff. Same for "value" ranges. I remember crisps being described in a Trivial Pursuit question as "what incredibly expensive way to sell potatoes was invented by ...". I cut out crisps last year, for health reasons more than anything, cutting out rubbish snacks like crisps, biscuits etc which are tempting even when you're not hungry is a good way to lose weight. Fruit is far healthier as well as being much cheaper.

cfw1994

Sea_Shell said:

Happy New Year everyone.

Big deccies clear up done, everything back in the loft!

Crikey….our neighbour over the road (a pal) took his down today, we had to had to berate him for spoiling our view this evening: we like to eek them out towards 12th night to make the most of them!

HNY fellow East Midlander. 🎉
If you want to increase your entertainment budget, head to the Curve!   A fine theatre, & plenty of shows of all sorts on offer there to absorb more of your hard earned pennies 💪

Sea_Shell

Did a big Aldi food shop this morning.  No toiletries or wine (that's next week😉) and it came to a few pennies under £70.

In other "value for money" news, I've been keeping track of gym membership £ vs times used, and it's currently sitting at £3.08 per visit (gym or swim).  😇

Better than one of my friends who paid over £500 up front ( as an "incentive" 🤣) for an annual membership at a "posh" chain...and has been about 5 times so far!!

saucer

We have a household of 5 adults, youngest 18. Groceries are about £850 to £900 pcm That is based on a combination of Lidl weekly with a top up at Waitrose (free papers) and bits and pieces during the week. We make nearly all meals from scratch with lots of.fruit and veg.

My expectation is that when the kids are independent we would be spending at least £250 pcm less, but I haven't looked at it in detail.

Sea_Shell

Seems I've been mentioned in dispatches, but I hadn't seen it because the wrong SeaShell had been tagged.   

If you want to tag me I am with an underscore space, not hyphen.