January 2021 Grocery Challenge

Suffolk_lass

Blackberrycurved said:

I have come in at £334/ £240 so hugely overbudget by £94 which is terrible. Usually, it's about £330 but I thought I'd really tried this month so for next month. I am going to only spend £240 and be really strict with myself about £70 is cat food and cat litterso I'm stuck with that. Do you think drawing out the cash would help? Help! 

Blackberrycurved said:

Can I have the same amount for February £240 I'll look out for the next thread or will this one run on?

@Blackberrycurved the new thread is here - you can always find it by searching elsiepac's posts or going up a level on Old-style where it is pinned to the first page once it is up. 

You ask about cash and say Help! - I recommend you read the advice in the very first post and have an explore of the techniques there.

For me, the big things are to have a shopping list and keep the shopping trips to an absolute minimum as my thing is stock-piling and bargains (set up for the next Suffolk Siege). I also reverse meal plan - so in other words I plan meals from what I have in, using substitute ingredients and omissions rather than "popping out" to top up. My milk and eggs are delivered so that helps (more expensive but less temptation).

Of the suggestions - the second purse system was very cash orientated but the basic idea is that when you use things in your cupboards, you transfer money from your cash purse and move it physically to your stores (2nd) purse - so you are living off running costs budget and replenishing stores fund as you go - the originator used to save and buy things she wanted with her saved money - spending on stores when things are reduced and reimbursing the full price.

mumtoomany

Milk and peanuts, that we didn't really need but sent OH shopping! Total for those £2.21. Declaring for the month now at, £198.46/£2750. Not too bad considering we had a takeaway in that. Hugs to all those who need or want them, see you in the next thread, mumtoomany.

PipneyJane

Blackberrycurved said:

I have come in at £334/ £240 so hugely overbudget by £94 which is terrible. Usually, it's about £330 but I thought I'd really tried this month so for next month. I am going to only spend £240 and be really strict with myself about £70 is cat food and cat litter so I'm stuck with that. Do you think drawing out the cash would help? Help! 

Hi @Blackberrycurved

I operate a cash budget for the Grocery Challenge.  It lives in its own purse, in a biscuit tin in the kitchen.  My DH and I've been doing it since we moved in together in 2000.  It certainly helped us.  Before we started, we had no idea what cash we would be spending on groceries, so that first month we just made a guess.   We've tweaked it a little since, adding a meat fund for shopping at the butcher's and a bulk fund for when we buy 24 tins of chopped tomatoes/10kg flour or whatever, but the basic principle is there that it's quarantined in its own purse and, when it's gone, we can't buy any more groceries until next month.  (The meat fund and the bulk fund live in their own pots.) 


Paying cash into the Grocery Purse at the start of each month also meant that we were contributing equitably to the grocery budget.  In a previous relationship, I ended up paying for absolutely everything while my ex lived the high life.  I wasn't going to let that happen again.  Ditto my DH, who knew about my ex and has always insisted that we contribute to the household bills  proportional to our incomes.

HTH

- Pip

flossyblog

I'd like to join in please with an annual budget of €3000 X 12 = €250 per month. I have a master lists for cleaning, toiletries and food, and have diligently recorded how much we use and now have a good idea on how much we need and stock up accordingly when those items are on special offer. 

Total for January came in at €198 which i'm rather pleased with as I have a batch cooked bolognaise and chilli for the freezer 

goldfinches

I'm declaring at £84.21/£124 which has come about mainly through staying out of the supermarkets, and other nice shops too, due to being so cheesed off with the weather hereabouts I've hardly stuck my nose outside the front door for days on end. It's raining again now so maybe this frugal run will continue, see you all in February's thread, goldfinches.

Suffolk_lass

flossyblog said:

I'd like to join in please with an annual budget of €3000 X 12 = €250 per month. I have a master lists for cleaning, toiletries and food, and have diligently recorded how much we use and now have a good idea on how much we need and stock up accordingly when those items are on special offer. 

Total for January came in at €198 which i'm rather pleased with as I have a batch cooked bolognaise and chilli for the freezer 

@flossyblog If you haven't already, you may need to post in the February thread as I don't think elsiepac will be back to pick it up here

Pixiehouse55

Opps, time spare after we picked  up my new motorbility car today and 2 hours without our 2 lovely people that live with us and we popped in to Sainsbobs. £34 lighter, but £10 of that was a new pair of slippers for hubby, so only £24 on food. We went in there as they have a very good gluten free Isle,,  DID!! No where near as much now and I don't understand why!!!  Tuesday is pay day,, no more food to buy. We have enough