The second hurdle - Nichelette v the huge mortgage

Nichelette

Happy New Year! I decided I was too tired to stay awake any longer and went to bed at 11.30 😂. To be fair I'd had a rubbish sleep the previous night.

Anyway, I've been awake since 5 and was trying to think of some sort of financial challenge because I wanted something to aim for 😂. I've decided to go with spending no more than 3k on food for the year. That * should * be very possible, but I love food and it's one of my weak points, so I think I am probably over spending on rubbish.

I don't have the time to scrutinise my receipts, so that will also include any cleaning products, toiletries and alcohol. The good news is our cupboards are still brimming. Plus most of our cleaning bits are from smol and not the supermarket. I've also got a lot of toiletries I stashed from when I got 50% off wild stuff that I need to work through anyway. 

There are 4 of us, DH is the only meat eater though the kids eat fish. DS1 has lunch at school (I think it's free for everyone until year 2?) so most of the time we're only feeding him breakfast and dinner. DS2 gets all meals at nursery during the week though he will usually have something snall to top him up in the evening. All in all we're probably feeding nearer 3 than 4, and the younger ones are only little, though DS1 can pack it away. He's a really good eater veg wise so I can't complain.

Day 1 £0/£3000 

Merlin's_Beard

I definitely feel like food is the easiest place to slip up and let the creep set in! 

Nichelette

Merlin's_Beard said:

I definitely feel like food is the easiest place to slip up and let the creep set in! 

Definitely!

DH went to the supermarket yesterday bought steak and wine with for tonight with a few other bits so not off to the best start 🫠. I'm sure we'll claw back though. Unfortunately still not right from where I've been ill though am getting better, but now I have conjunctivitis in one eye. Honestly feel like I can't win at the moment 🙈. Anyway, PB results tomorrow. Hopefully that will bring some joy as after a good run we've not had anything for last 2 months. 

£22.94/£3000

Nichelette

£30.28/£3000. DH went raiding the shops again 🤦🏻‍♀️

edinburgher

I can't see how on earth £3k is possible for 4 people. We're spendy as hell but our monthly total including takeaways and booze is more than 4x this 😂

South_coast

Not eating meat does save a fortune though, Ed! Maybe you need to do a grocery challenge of your own 😘?

Bargainhunter30

£5k annual spend for family of 4 + 1 dog here and includes cleaning products and anything bought in supermarket as I cba splitting receipts. I don't think we've been frugal this year, we do eat meat but don't often drink alcohol at home. Takeaways also from another budget. Will be trying to reduce the amount this year. Good luck with the 3k, I'll be following along. 

the_end_of_the_rainbow

£6981 for 2025 for a family of 3 adults for most of the year (+ 1 adult for approx. 2 months of the year). Includes cleaning / toiletries & approx. £500 of alcohol. Didn't think we were excessive (!) - do eat some meat, lots of chicken & salmon, and lots of fruit, veg, nuts.

twinklie

It’s never occurred to me to look at it this way. I reckon we are probably at about 5-6K on average. But I could be completely wrong.

I wonder if I’m actually dedicated enough to track it. 🤔

Merlin's_Beard

This has made me go back and look at mine and I'm at 3k for one person! This is a spenny as hell habit (includes takeaways, miscellaneous from supermarkets, and occasional cafe trips when I "just fancy" not going home and making lunch) but perhaps I should also be looking for a reduction in this category (when I first started on this board in 2017 this category in my spreadsheet was £1200 a year). Definitely food (hah!) for thought.