May 2020 Grocery Challenge

joedenise

Amandaa5449 said:

Hi, I’m brand new here and would like to join in this challenge.
What do I need to do?

I did my first shop of May today and it came to £34

Rather than typing it all out again:

@abrooksaver I second what @joedenise said - keep your receipts and tot up at the end of the month to get an idea of what you realistically currently spend.  Don't try and economise at this point because you need to understand where you are at the moment to start making small changes!
Regarding the fonts unfortunately the new forum doesn't support font colours, certainly not yet anyway, so if you put it in Bold that'll be fine 

By the end of the month you'll know exactly what you've spent this month.  This is your starting point.  From next month you can then try to reduce it a bit.  Don't try to drop it too much to start otherwise you are setting yourself up for failure.  Start by reducing say £20 for a couple of months and then reduce it again and so on until you're at a level your comfortable with.

ancientmum

First shops of the month came to £5.50 in Sains and £25.78 in Adli.  Managed to get self raising flour in Adli today!

abrooksaver

Thankyou for your advice much appreciated when I do put my budget up next month do I just put my amount in bold ? How do I have accountability is it just my own accountability or is there somewhere it goes on this forum ? 

joedenise

You can just post when you spend anything.  Have a read through the thread and you'll see that people post what they've spent each time they shop.  Some also say how much of their monthly budget they've got left so there isn't any particular way to do things - it's up to you.  As this is your first month and you haven't set a budget you can just post what you've spent.  You can also keep track of how many NSDs (no spend days) you've had but post them when you post your spends.

Once you know how much you want your budget to be you can post it in BOLD when the new thread is set up.  It'll be on the front page later this month for June.

I hope that makes sense.

abrooksaver

Yes that makes a lot of sense Thankyou  so much for taking the time to explain so clearly I really appreciate it  

MrsSnowy

Elsiepac,please put me down for £150 this month.
That's for me and DD,socially distancing,me on pension,DD on UC,2 houses,2 dogs.
I've spent £35 already on fruit and vegetables delivered from a small local shop.
I made granola this morning,butter beans in tomato sauce,seriously garlicky yummy hummus.
It's going to be a lot more making and baking,even more than usual. I've used up part bake rolls out of the freezer (how hard were they!),and will have to tackle all those little weird parcels,you know the things you keep passing by!
I will not overspend,I will not overspend.........
MrsS

fairy3

First shop to declare £9.75 mainly on fresh veg, eggs, butter and salad. Menu plan and inventory done and thanks to overspending last month have enough meat,fish and tins for next couple of weeks. Planning on Roast beef dinner tomorrow after last visit but more adventurous as the week goes on - Indian, Chinese, Italian and Mexican.
Also have lots of weird little parcels in the freezer....

Fairy x

Chloris

Elsiepac - you are making me want an airfryer! Those chickpeas and tofu sound delicious.

I have been trying to put off our shop as the fridge and freezer were pretty full. I am trying to work through the random jars that are in there too. Anyway, I managed 3 extra days without shopping. Went to sa1ns last night and it was lovely and quiet, although it still is difficult to get around without getting caught up in people. £83.74/£600 spent. The pulses and baking sections were pretty empty though. My local health food shop is taking email orders and delivering for free if it's over £20 so I'll sort a list and send it off later. I'm not sure we can cope with out lentils in the house 🤣
It's hm green lentil stew from the freezer and veg for tea tonight. And something with coleslaw for lunch today.

PipneyJane

Hi @Amandaa5449 and @abrooksaver.  Welcome to the Challenge.  @joedenise has already given you both some good advice.  May I suggest that you read this thread from start?  The first few posts get copied over each month and include a huge index of cheap and filling recipes.  Also people share their recipe planning and shopping plans, so you may pick up ideas from those posts.

(Speaking of recipes, does anyone know how we link to individual posts now?  I’ve seen a couple of recipes posted that would be good to add to the index, but I can’t figure out how to link to them now.)

- Pip

Lovelifeloveliving

Hi All,
First spend of the month, went to Mr T's and spent £23.78. Usual weekly supplies, bread, milk, vegetables, fruit , peanut butter and beef.  Missing the YS, very few these days. Wishing everyone a safe and happy week 😘