A new royal start

QueenJess

Oops, forgot to come back to declare this months grocery amount! I spent £548 out of a budget of £600, which is pretty good considering that includes some stuff from the pharmacy, suncream, a stock up of DH’s bathroom stuff and some extra bath stuff for the kids that they don’t need yet but will be all used. I definitely overspent at the start of the month, but then really concentrated on buying less as we really do use a lot less than I think and we had stuff to use up in freezers/cupboards. I didn’t add it up each week this time, and I’m glad it’s possible to be under budget without doing it as it takes too much time to keep it up forever.

I’ve also been decluttering the house including food (although using up food rather than throwing anything out) and it’s concentrating the mind on what I actually use and how much we actually use. It’s certainly made me want to buy less generally and is slowly chipping away at my random panic we may run out of food, so I am more comfortable buying less.

I definitely overspent generally at the start of this month and now have completely reined it in. The only plus side is that I’ve been rounding my personal account and credit card to the nearest £10 pretty much every day (if I forget some days it doesn’t matter) and so I’ve already got my £100 overpayment ready for the mortgage next week. It does feel slightly pointless at the moment, but I am really hoping it builds a bit of momentum as I will also add on the amount I save from renewing my next mortgage (due next year - should reduce due to interest rates and some overpayments).

themadvix

£100 off the mortgage is £100 off the mortgage PLUS the interest saved - definitely not a pointless exercise!

Well done on keeping under the grocery budget. I, like you, overestimate/don't know how much we actually eat (and need to eat) and will buy more than necessary because I only do one big supermarket shop a month... it's a fine line between ensuring you don't run out and having more in than necessary.

TallGirl

Great progress and positive you are controlling over buying. I absolutely hate throwing food out but also I do not want to impact my health by eating stuff I do not want or is good for me so easier just not to buy it in the first place.