February 2020 Grocery Challenge

Flat_Eric

No supermarket shops sat/sun but did do a shop for lunch bits yesterday then home delivery last night but now should be sorted (I think) for the next week or so.

Aim this week is to stop visiting the shop and impulse buying - fair enough buy just what's needed but not half the shop.

elsiepac

Budgets updated to here

Ap[ologies for being a bit absent the last couple of weeks - work is manic and I've been doing a ton of overtime with very little mental capacity leftover for anything else. Slightly concerned I'm randomly crying at frequent and inopportune moments but I'm putting it down to stress and hoping I'll sort myself out before needing to address it!

Budget wise I'm not even setting one this month. I've spent a load, probably around the £200 mark but my fridge, freezer and cupboards are groaning so it's all good.

I FINALLY got a second fridge! When I moved house back in July I went from having a large fridge freezer to having an undercounter fridge with a freezer compartment at the top and a full freezer in the garage which you have to go outside to get to. I have really really struggled with the fridge space in particular as if I did a full weeks shop there wasn't enough room for all the veg I buy and then if I prepped with some of it, no room to store the prepped food properly!!! It was really getting me down but I've been keeping an eye on FB marketplace for second hand ones as I have the room inside the house in an out of the way place - and finally a couple of weeks ago I hit the jackpot 13 minutes after it was listed, 10 minutes from my house, a CLEAN and only 2 year old Indesit fridge freezer for £50! Suffice to say I snapped it up and got it installed where I envisioned, where it is perfect, gave it a good clean (although they'd done it it's nice to do it yourself isn't it!) and life is suddenly so much easier food wise.
Shame I've been living on a lot of convenience food due to lack of time!

boultdj

Another £4.02 to add, just bread and satsumas needed, but got tempted by the fruit/veg box in Lidl.

fairy3

First spend to report this month - £11.43 spent on top up and veggies. Did have a bit of a haul from the Cwarp - £15 worth for £4.09 which included smoked haddock, veggie sausages (little willies) not had before so will try out, minced beef, warburtons thins (20p) and a cheeky strawberry tart for 20p.
Great news on the fridge Elsiepac it will make such a difference am sure. My fridge/freezer is on its last legs but will have to wait as saving for a new kitchen so replacing like for like might not work - hoping for a new layout.

menu plan (rough)

Today - creamy steak fettucine
Wednesday - Fish pie with veggies
Thursday - Chicken fajita's with nacho's and refried beans (thank you PipneyJane for recipe)
Friday - Freezer roulette
Saturday - Chinese chicken curry with rice

Doris1965

Hi
Have not been near a shop so spending wise a good couple of day, sticking to our menu plan, going to see how long I can go with out buying anything food related, I did not realise just how much food we had in the freezers and store cupboards,
Dx

lantanna

£13 today shop near work, garlic bread, bacon, bagels and a salad for lunch. 15 more days left of Feb for me. I will come in under again. Hoping I can come out with at least £30 to move into my holiday pot.

nannygladys

Hi everyone
Starting tomorrow it starts to be serious, fell off the wagon a bit, not big time but could turn that way if I let it.
So tomorrow - budget reset for the week (as get paid next Weds)
menu plan, using stuff I have in and making a list of items needed.
Seeing if there is anything else I have to spend on and after making a note see if I can do without!!

So, here I go again, I don't have problem having nsds (haven't been out the house since Saturday) but when I do go to the shops I will have to be more careful to not open my purse.
Nannyg

thriftwizard

Nice bargain with the fridge, elsiepac!

£16.23 spent by accident today; dropped into L!dls on the way to my mother - she loves their flowers - and ended up buying some fresh bits (DD1 was with me, which inevitably leads to More Vegetables) and two of their "When it's gone, it's gone" double packs of Gold filter coffee; i.e. 1Kg for £4.29, x 2, is 2 months worth of coffee for me for £8.58., when normally the 500g packs are - what, £3.29 each at present? So a good bargain if you're hooked, like me. I just have two cups in the morning in my cafetière, and that's me; I don't drink instant & am not fond of the barista stuff either!

candygirl

Just spent £20/ 120 in Morrison's :j Got loads in now for the next week or so

Suffolk_lass

Off to the Cash and Carry shortly, my stores budget is quivering in fear. I do have a list but also some optional extras. Must keep control.