July 2020 Grocery Challenge

pamsdish

@thriftwizard the wedding plans seem lovely, in these strange times having to make a more intimate celebration is making wonderful memories, more than the huge pass in a blur do`s.

MazzieD

Haven't posted for a while due to injuring my writing arm!.

A couple of quick things before I update my spends.  It is worth signing up for marketing e mails from any supermarket you use on a regular/occasional basis. If you have a loyalty card it should be automatic or just set up an on-line account even if you never use it. T*sco have just launched a 'price war' against Ald1, in other words they are extending their Ald1 price match.  No doubt it will also involve L1dl!.  

Another big surprise this morning in the post.  A free sample of Sheba cat food and 2 coupons for their pouches from T*sco.  I can only say that I have a Clubcard and buy their tinned cat food as they have quite a good range, it was completely out of the blue and unexpected.

Right, on to the actual shopping.  I have just been popping in to whatever supermarket I happen to be near, lots of YS bargains and taking advantage of the weekly fruit and veg offers have made a huge difference this month.  

Realistically I won't need to buy anything else as freezer is full to capacity, plenty of fresh veg and I have all the essentials.  

Total spent so far £84.80 so £15.20 left for the final week. I will be definitely be under budget 

joedenise

Didn't need to go shopping for the weekend but have put the last of the coffee beans into the machine so have ordered some more from Ama*on; found a twin pack which worked out much cheaper than buying just one and they keep well in the freezer so no problem with buying extra, it will definitely get used!  I had £10 voucher to use so the 2 packs cost me £9.99 (normally £12+ per pack so quite a good saving).

Will need to go shopping early next week, probably Monday or Tuesday but only a few things needed so far but no doubt a few more bits will be added over the weekend!

£122.xx/£250 (amount left for rest of month - can't remember what the odd amount is but I have YNAB on a different laptop and I've just switched it off!)

Haven't kept track of bulk fund but know there is only about £7 left in it (figure from YNAB again)

Also haven't kept track of NSDs.  Must try better next month.

Mrs_Cheshire

I need to catch up with the chat, but just coming by the say I'm currently at £322.05/£450 so doing ok for this point in the month, got loads of freezer stock and plenty of cupboard bits so just basics bread, milk, fruit and veg to buy. Kids have broken up from school officially now so they will want more snacks etc. I've got some baking bits in the house, so going to sit down over the weekend and plan some easy bakes they can help me with -thinking cupcakes, pinwheels etc. 
Does anyone have any good recipes for using filo pastry particularly snack/picnic ideas??

Hettyhound

MazzieD I got the free Sheba cat food pouch too!  Best freebie I’ve had this lockdown was a free pair of stripey socks, been worn many times.  Thriftwizard my niece had a garden party for their reception the day after their very small registry office wedding (just the witnesses).  They didn’t want to spend money on one day when there’s was so much more it could be used for.  They bought frozen pizzas and had one guest in charge of those, had a BBQ going, chilled drinks in buckets of cold water and asked everyone to take food which they allocated from a list.  I did 2 toblerone cheesecakes and made meringues with the left over egg whites, my auntie did 4 quiches, people took salads and nibbles etc along with bottles of drink.  It was absolutely marvellous! 🥰. Your friend with the nice garden is an absolute star ❤️

thriftwizard

Sigh... another £6.50 gone on broccoli, a couple of leeks, onions, carrots & a "deal" of 12 punnets of cherry tomatoes... I'm drying out onions from the allotment but they're not ready yet, and I'm growing carrots & leeks but, having been knocked back severely by the rabbit incursion, they're also not ready yet, nor are my tomatoes anywhere near ripe! Can't see me hitting my target now, though I shouldn't need to go too far over.

A bit naughty, as I'm counting this into the "household improvements" budget, but I've also invested £20+ in an environmentally-friendly washball. I picked some old ones up on Freegle a few weeks back, and have been very impressed with the results so far. So I decided to give someone else the chance to try the idea out for free, and bought the latest version. If any of you have been thinking about switching, but hesitating because it's a higher cost upfront, I'd recommend them. We're a household of two active 60-somethings & two lively 20-something young ladies; no serious mud involved since the boys left home, but lots of towels etc., fitness gear, feline fur & a bit of gardening grime to deal with, in very hard water, and so far they've done us proud.

mumtoomany

Hi all, spent at morrisons and farmfoods. Total now £131.61/£200. Would have been less but OH shopped with me! Must make sure to take the dog next time, them OH will just walk round car park, with her.
Someone mentioned about the Tesco price match with Aldi. Beware they are matching on price BUT not size! So Toilet rolls Aldi 6 double size (so 12) compared to 9 standard size, or ketchup with less in. Keep your wits about you. Back soon, mumtoomany.

boultdj

Been to FF to stock up on butter for OH[ cheapest place], and of course other bit's, £36.67 with coupon off, so now at £165.87/£350.00

boultdj

Been to FF to stock up on butter for OH[ cheapest place], and of course other bit's, £36.67 with coupon off, so now at £165.87/£350.00

K9sandFelines

K9sandFelines said:

Picked up the milk from L1dl, aswell as fruit juice, d.f. yoghurt, gherkins, cucumber and some bits for DD1 and GD tea. Also, went to Sainsberrys for a few bits before work as i was so hungry, despite having breakfast. I had nothing in to take for snacks, for the journey there. So crisps bought, for the week, and for DD2 for tonight and malt loaf for GD.
This leaves me with just over a tenner, which is to include DD1's birthday on Monday and another week to go.
Realistically, don't think i will be on or close to the budget   

I'm definitely over budget now,and havent even purchased anything for DD1s birthday, like cake. Went to Tesco to get birthday cards and it was bedlam. No more one way system or queuing outside,i hate it. Too packed to properly distance or grab what you need. I also forgot gf pasta, ginger and pizza for DD1s tea. Spent £13.11 in total.
I dont know whether i am working tomorrow or Monday (DD's birthday), so was going to have cake Monday if tomorrow and vice versa. We could make one but it cost as much in extra ingredients to frost it..
Feel so deflated, i  might give next month's GC a miss just to recharge. However, ive only missed when ive moved house previously;never because i've lost my mojo .