February 2020 Grocery Challenge

jasminesaver

Hi all, last week I spent £52.37.... which is way out of my £25 budget!! Basically due to the bad weather I didn't fancy walking all the way to Lidl so I did my shops in the Co-op which is just round the corner. I also went to a party and I bought alcohol, so I included that in my shop. Also, I have decided to shop around more, not just in Lidl, as I think the quality of some food isn't as nice as the other shops. Don't get me wrong it is mostly fine, but for example I will only buy Heinz baked beans from now on as the Lidl own brand ones are really bad in my opinion. I just think it isn't always worth it for a bargain. To be honest I have spent money on unnecessary things this month, for example, buying Tropicana juice when I could have spent less money on a similar quality brand. I don't know why but I have felt like being lazy and buying the more expensive brands recently. Maybe next month I will increase my budget as I can afford only the most basic stuff at £25 per week.

Chrystal

I really dislike Heinz beans since they changed the recipe and have found that I LOVE Branston ones (and they're cheaper to buy than Heinz) 

lantanna

Closing the month off here. See you on the March thread.

lantanna

Don’t think it’s up yet I’ll stay n here Til we get going. Budget for March from today to 20th of March is £400. This includes toiletries, cleaning products, groceries including takeaways, meals out and alcohol.  I’ve increased my budget this month as I plan on doing a bit of stock piling and having a few treats. 

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Feb £75.65/of £100 Month (Annual 27 Dec 19 - 26 Dec 20) £77.77/£1,325 cat food £48.05
Spent out of £100: Jan £77.77 Feb £
Jan cat food £71.33, Feb £

Hello all, i'm really annoyed with myself for spending more than i should have done shopping today - 2 shops £13.16 in one shop and £13.18 in another so £26.34 spent and added to total and it didn't include bread or milk! Also spent £7 on cat food   . I was only supposed to be going to 1 shop so i didn't have the option of shopping around but then got asked to go and get something from a different shop for someone else. 
So where did it all go wrong? Shop 1 - wasn't too bad looking at the receipt -all on the list and at the best prices until we get to the key ingredient i needed - budgeted £1 hoping it was on offer - it was on offer at 2 for £2.50 so it made sense to buy 2 and have 1 in for next time.
Shop 2 - The not on the list items were - offers on toiletries at 25% off what i usually pay and i was due to buy next week so unexpected £4.50 there. Then an item on my list (too expensive in shop 1 and was too expensive in every shop last week and we've run out so it's a need) was too expensive for standard size but double size worked out at £2 - i'd wanted small for £1 so price per weight is same. A cheeky £2 on cheese - both on offer - 1 was for a treat and was on the list - the other i splurged for us i guess! Coffee - because it's needed next week but was on offer this week. And finally, i have to confess 65p on a cake - i've been properly craving something sweet  Other spends were 11p reduced tin of toms, 28p reduced bread - had 4 slices for tea  and cheese for £2 - standard cheese - not like above and definitely on the list.

Meal plan hasn't really been planned due to being ill - so
Monday - leftovers from Sunday (pie)
Today fish finger sarnies 
Wednesday chilli - need to make this
Thursday - chilli wraps? Maybe?
Friday - for the first time in forever someone else is cooking for us - yippee!
Saturday - chicken wraps may be?
Sunday - lasagne

Hope all are well. still getting used to the new forum and been under the weather so not around as much x

Suffolk_lass

It's really hard at this stage of the month - especially being February. For most of us those little stashes of food we squirrelled away in our freezers are still there (with a little guilt trip associated with them not being in our meal plans) - or they have gone because we used them up, reduced our spend in January or so far this month and then got a wee bit complacent (I call it my smug-filter) - it goes "I've got this, I only spend £nn.nn in January, I can afford to buy some treats" - only before we know it, we am back where we started. Please don't feel disheartened, keep going

It is the time to look in our cupboards and think about what I can make with this - does it need using? would it get wasted? why did I buy it? what could I substitute in the recipe to save me buying more?

Last night I was going to throw out the chicken carcass after pulling off the cold meat to have with salad and half each of a (mahoosive) jacket potato - but I put more salad, split the meat in two, turned the carcass upside down and picked the meat from there, then put the bones in the pressure cooker with a couple of onions and carrots (not even peeled!) and made stock. I will make a mostly veg (spot the chicken) curry and add stock to the soup for lunches.

boultdj

Delivery shop yesterday, including the furry one's food, came to £54.25 and did include a nice bit of silverside which I will steam roast later in the week.

[Deleted User]

Chrystal said:

I really dislike Heinz beans since they changed the recipe and have found that I LOVE Branston ones (and they're cheaper to buy than Heinz) 

I agree, the Branston beans are really good.  I am quite fussy with beans and they are one of the few things I buy branded and the Branston ones pass the test.

Looks like I'm not alone in struggling a bit this month.  But just think how much more we might have overspent if it wasn't for this thread.  I'm grateful to everyone for the motivation and accountability that this thread brings.  I have done a food plan that will take me and OH to the end of the month.  It makes use of some bits we have in the freezer - namely mince and some diced beef so all we'll need is veg to add to the recipes.  

Saver.The.Taste

Hi all, one small top up shop and quite high on reserves still, another £7.85 spent on lots of YS freezer bargains taking me to £48.25 so far

candygirl

Talking of beans, I actually like the ALDI ones, though hate LIDL ones .
I love cheesy beans on toast, with HP sauce
Another NSD for me today, got loads in , so no need to move out