2020 Frugal Living Challenge

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

willow_loulou wrote: »

It’s the food budget I’m struggling with, we’ve swapped to Aldi but I don’t know what realistic for 3 adults to spend. I took my eye off the ball and just shopped conveniently. Any suggestions- planning is hard with sons shifts forever being messed about so things need to be reheated. Is £50 realistic in Aldi? So far we’ve just bought things to try out.

I found this bit hard as well. Everyone else seemed to be doing their shopping much cheaper than me. I am pleased that I have managed to bring my monthly budget down to £200.00 a month for me on my own. That includes all things such as cleaning products and toiletries as well. That is still high compared to a lot of people but I am also trying to buy things environmentally so not buying lots of stuff in plastic packaging (which I noticed some discount stores tend to have). I also have stopped doing a weekly big shop. I tend to do one monthly shop and then just buy bits and pieces when I need it. This week I am trying to just use what I have to get me through to the end of the calendar month. Even though I have been paid I still have a little bit of January's budget left so I will try and keep within that. If I can manage this that means I will have made my grocery budget last nearly 6 weeks.


The first big thing I did that has made a difference is I meal plan for the week. I also batch cook at least one meal a week so there are usually 3 portions left, one for the next day and 2 for the freezer as well as making myself a soup which I portion up to 5 portions and that is my lunch for the week. It is obviously a lot easier for me as I just have to worry about myself but this might be a place to start for you. Good luck.

Finstickle

Hi, I'd like to join the 2020 challenge please.
Currently on last few months of maternity leave so money is getting very tight. We're a fairly frugal family (love charity shops and bargains) but have a weakness for spending of DD and am trying to buy more locally and ethically which is definitely impacting on cost.
Wanting to be as Frugal as I can whilst living my beliefs

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
I see people on here beating themselves up because they can’t shop as cheaply as other posters. Please bear in mind that no two families are the same, with different likes and needs. All you can do is your best and that will be good enough.
Cuddles xx

DawnW

cuddlymarm wrote: »

Hi guys
I see people on here beating themselves up because they can’t shop as cheaply as other posters. Please bear in mind that no two families are the same, with different likes and needs. All you can do is your best and that will be good enough.
Cuddles xx

It is also the case that many foods have gone up in price due to the fall in value of the pound. We don't hear much about this, but think for example about the changes that have taken place in the price of butter over the last couple of years. And that is just 1 item. And of course, wages and benefits haven't gone up for most people. It is also the case that prices vary between regions, and people are limited in any case by the shops and supermarkets they have access to. All of this may explain why it might be harder to make ends meet, so I agree with Cuddlymarm, please don't beat yourselves up

natnat13

Hi all, is it me or is January very long?!
I have had a good month, sold some bits on ebay to help clear my CC debt. I've meal planned and taken lunch to work. Most importantly I haven't spent on my CC or if I have (online) I've transferred the money straight away. DS1 needed trainers and a coat.
MOT is next month, my car is only 4 years old so hopefully it sails through.

SummerDays

Still trying to be mindful of my spending. I’ve been so tempted to buy a budget planner notebook/journal - this sort of thing is my total weakness - but I have a whole load of unused notebooks, so I have chosen one to use to record my spends and do some planning. Baby steps!

Thanks for all the advice on this thread

willow_loulou

Hi, so my Aldi spend was £58 for 3 adults and 2 dogs. I hope what I got for them will be okay.
That did include vitamins and a few bits for my fianc! to try.
I think £50 is achievable for us, especially once the veggies are growing again
My only tiny gripe was how busy and noisy it was so trying opposite direction Aldi next week at a slightly later time.

willow_loulou

SummerDays wrote: »

Still trying to be mindful of my spending. I’ve been so tempted to buy a budget planner notebook/journal - this sort of thing is my total weakness - but I have a whole load of unused notebooks, so I have chosen one to use to record my spends and do some planning. Baby steps!

Thanks for all the advice on this thread

I’ve done this in a note book I got for Christmas, I’m addicted to writing every money saving idea down and looking at my budget so it goes everywhere with me! I’m still hankering after a budget sheet though😂 going to try and draw one in

Jazee

I can live fairly frugally as long as I don't go to the shops. Went on Thursday to stock up on toiletries for the next year and got tempted by stuff. Which is still sitting on the kitchen side while I decide whether to take back for a refund tomorrow.

DH is definitely not frugal as he deserves treats apparently.

Today I will be repairing a bedside table rather than getting a new one. This is frugal as it's an expensive piece of furniture. £10 for repairing materials as opposed to £150 for a new one.

I'll also be planting seeds as I like to grow my own fruit and veg.

Tanya12345

Hi All,
Back in please.... Took my eye off the ball for a while, resulting in grocery money gone, half my vouchers gone, EEK fund depleted.... You get the picture !
So starting again, a priority for me is to spend locally ( food) so that is nearly always a bit more costly but I'm determined to trim budgets to make this possible. On the plus side we have freezers full of meat - we grow our own and still got some supplies from last years harvest in the cupboards. Sadly the beastly rats got into the garage and destroyed loads of apples and squashes.... Sometimes it's hard to love all that nature gives !!
Onwards and upwards, thankfully this thread keeps me on track, inspired and smiling xx