July 2020 Grocery Challenge

Suffolk_lass

DH is off to do the bid 10 day shop today. Other than that we have had one milk shop to the local and this week's Milkman bill so £8.33 so far. I am hoping for less than £60 today but he has been picking up off-spec purchases so we shall see. 

I have tried all sorts of freezer solutions over the years. My favourite was a big American Fridge-Freezer with double doors but the freezer was not big enough. I have two fridge freezers, a chest freezer and the big upright one that I still have not switched off (but is empty) at the moment. All dangerously full with the bean glut to come.

[Deleted User]

Hi All, I've not been looking at my totals after each shop this month.  I really need to get back into the habit.  I have just totalled everything up for the month so far and we have spent £151.63 which would leave us just £48.37 until the end of the month.  We could, in theory, do this.  This week's food is all bought and sorted and we only have two weeks left in our month as we finish on the 25th.  I'm going to see how I get on with this and if I need to add a little more cash to the groceries then so be it but I'd like to try and stay in budget.  Our next shop won't be until the Friday so I will update again then.  
 

PipneyJane

Suffolk_lass said:

DH is off to do the bid 10 day shop today. Other than that we have had one milk shop to the local and this week's Milkman bill so £8.33 so far. I am hoping for less than £60 today but he has been picking up off-spec purchases so we shall see. 

I have tried all sorts of freezer solutions over the years. My favourite was a big American Fridge-Freezer with double doors but the freezer was not big enough. I have two fridge freezers, a chest freezer and the big upright one that I still have not switched off (but is empty) at the moment. All dangerously full with the bean glut to come.

Two years on and I am still mourning the loss of my big Samsung, American-style fridge-freezer.  We went for one without an ice maker and it held A LOT.  Sadly, it died after 15 years of loyal service.  The replacement - same external dimensions - is smaller on the inside, holds about 1/4 less and has a tendency to frost up at the drop of a hat.   This time around, there wasn't as much choice on the market since we didn't want an ice-maker and will never plumb it in to dispense iced water.   (Ice makers take up a lot of space and our kitchen was not designed to accomodate a plumbed in fridge.)

- Pip

nannygladys

Just calling in, not spent anything since last Wednesday so feeling good about that and Im following my menu plan, mind you Im missing the sweet stuff so may make a fruit cake tomorrow.
Nannyg

MrsSnowy

Hi elsiepac   please would you put me down for £150, I'll try very hard this month...honestly.
I made quiche yesterday,homity pie and 2 loaves of bread. It was a use up stuff and fill the freezer morning.
Lots of YS this morning,  tray of eggs  £3 for 2 and half dozen .then I was given some chicory and a ginormous lettuce. Poached egg on toast for lunch and stir fry with chicory,pepper and noodles for tea.
Overnight slow cooker yogurt started,tomorrow I'll need to make more granola and for that I need to buy honey.
So far I've spent £21.80...£128.20 left 
 It's my biggish birthday on Saturday,nothing much is going to happen due to lockdown in Wales,and DD2 not well awaiting a Covid home test kit to arrive.She lives near me ,not with me!
Ah well,hey ho   tomorrow is another day x

Suffolk_lass

PipneyJane said:

Suffolk_lass said:

DH is off to do the bid 10 day shop today. Other than that we have had one milk shop to the local and this week's Milkman bill so £8.33 so far. I am hoping for less than £60 today but he has been picking up off-spec purchases so we shall see. 

I have tried all sorts of freezer solutions over the years. My favourite was a big American Fridge-Freezer with double doors but the freezer was not big enough. I have two fridge freezers, a chest freezer and the big upright one that I still have not switched off (but is empty) at the moment. All dangerously full with the bean glut to come.

Two years on and I am still mourning the loss of my big Samsung, American-style fridge-freezer.  We went for one without an ice maker and it held A LOT.  Sadly, it died after 15 years of loyal service.  The replacement - same external dimensions - is smaller on the inside, holds about 1/4 less and has a tendency to frost up at the drop of a hat.   This time around, there wasn't as much choice on the market since we didn't want an ice-maker and will never plumb it in to dispense iced water.   (Ice makers take up a lot of space and our kitchen was not designed to accomodate a plumbed in fridge.)

- Pip

I'm the same with just a 600mm space for a fridge freezer in my kitchen (there is also the old one under the roofed open area outside the back door, the fridge bit is known as the drinks fridge, the area intended for taking your boots off in the dry is full of bottles really...).

I know I think I am not stock-piling but we have spent way more than half of our stores budget of £400, with almost £350 spent. It is a combination of DH and me. Me, accidentally leaving things like peanut butter on the list so I have two now at £3.50 each (DH does not have my "I'm not paying that much!" filter). Whereas I would leave it on the list and just look for a reduction, he just picks it up (twice! - despite us discussing the rationale for just leaving it on the list). I also put Acacia honey on, and explained that it is lighter than the mixed flower honey. So the first time he bought mixed flower. He explained he does not buy Rowse because they do not treat their bee farmers fairly and I agreed. So I put it back on the list this week. What did he buy? Rowse. DOH! And then I put thin bleach (big bottle, 38p) - he keeps buying 3 small bottles of thick bleach at just under £2. I want the thin stuff to put in the toilet cistern and I am reticent to use the thick stuff as not sure if it will flush the same - so I have nine bottles now!! Also my bread-flour - 25k instead of 16 from different supplier at roughly 1/3rd extra cost. The stores list is endless.

The balance is the list not being an essay vs enough explanation. I might have to go myself so we can pull it back. We have spent £65.69 on the rest so far in July (average £200)

Narola1976

£155.87 / £275 so far

Finstickle

Suffolk_lass said:

@Finstickle - our shed freezer did not work out for us - it evidently defrosted a bit in the warm weather and our milk spares came out as curds and whey. Only when I was researching a replacement did I notice a garage filter on one site. My new cart lodge (open fronted garage) freezer is guaranteed to -15c air temperature. Worth looking at Beko for garages (although mine is Logik by Currys)

Very handy tip thank you!!! 

lantanna

£27.00 in Asda today, Gordon’s, tonic, ice, orange juice and the ingredients for beef stroganoff and mash.

lantanna

£57.90 for 12 days, should be fine for coming in at or under 🎯