February 2020 Grocery Challenge

Suffolk_lass

Barbeduk wrote: »

What does everyone do with the leftover money if they come in under budget? Mine goes straight into the holiday fund :cool2::D

I physically put the cash in an envelope (well, an old purse, actually) and it is there as a cash reserve for a month when I run out (there is always at least one!). It is sort of why I went for an annual budget but that is all tracked on a spreadsheet, so if there is money in the account, I use that first and then the cash is just there as a bit of reassurance that I always use for Christmas treats if anything left.

Suffolk_lass

carolinerunner wrote: »

OK this month I'm going public with a budget of £550. That's what I spent in January but stocks are pretty depleted so I'm not going any lower for now.

Mind you it might be tricky as I just served up the 3rd meal in about 4 nights that got a thumbs down, so I had a hissy fit and resigned from doing:

meal planning
writing shopping list
buying shopping several times a month (fresh/non-perishables)
Unpacking shopping
Cooking

For 4 adults. One of whom washes up. I know. Don't think I haven't tried. The other 2 do pay board. I know, it's not a hotel...

ENOUGH!!! (on the food front, at least)

Now, how do I plan/shop/cook less AND keep control of spending?!

I feel your pain! - My Son's school friend played a similar game with his Mum who seriously believed he would only eat X, Y and Z. When he came to my house to stay I set one rule - try everything once (twice if you like it) - and he did (and broadened what he eats, considerably (fruit was my greatest success). I promised I would not tell his Mum, and I haven't, but I did suggest to her that she try a "take it or cook for yourself" approach. Sort of, "we are having this, do you want to join us or will you be seeing to yourself?".

If they are judgemental you could insist they shop with you, or go on strike and let them buy their own.

Toonie

Right, now that I've kept receipts for a month, I know roughly where and what we are spending. So this month will be about trying to lower that monthly spend a little.



Can I please be put down for £170 this month? I figured reducing spends by £30 should be doable given a shorter month.


Thanks for the new thread Elsiepac! :j

bett_rhy

Hi all

£240 this month again for me please

Already done my first shop £64.96 :eek: a bit higher than i would like but let the kids pick the food for their sleep over weekend :rotfl:

xxx

Flat_Eric

£275 please for me for Feb.


Need to stop my daily trips to the shop this month.

SummerDays

£450 for February for me please. Aiming to reduce further for next month. Thank you!

thriftwizard

And we're off into the February budget with £65 spent at the market this morning. There will be more fruit & veg bought at some point, but that's sorted the basis of the week's meal-plan:

Tonight: salmon with new spuds & broccoli
Saturday: Spaghetti bolognese or chilli, depending on mood!
Sunday: roast beef etc. - probably only feeding 4 this weekend - that feels like a rest!
Monday: omelette - the new Girls are in lay, we have about 30 eggs and more every day
Tuesday: sausages & mash
Wednesday: beef bourguignon-ish - in a red wine sauce with mushrooms, anyway!
Thursday: baked potatoes with whatever's left over!

All subject to change if Offspring re-appear, and with suitable alternatives for the veggie/pescatarian members of the crew...

franby64

Good evening!

Thank you for the thread Elsiepac and please could you put me down for £250 this month.
I'm reducing by £10 as I nearly made it last month and definitely could do a bit better.

Doris1965

Hi
First spend of the month. £66.67, I have done a meal plan for the week, and used a list, I have some double up meals planned so can freeze half for the following week.
Thanks
Dx

£66.67/£250

Finstickle

First week of Feb down and high already:eek::eek::eek:

I did a Tesco delivery for all the items I can't get in Lidl which will avoid the inevitable additional purchases when I normally go in. This will cover at least the month if not slightly longer.

A few smaller shops as well as the std weekly, all adding up.

£203.28/£450