January 2022 Grocery Challenge

Doom_and_Gloom

£66.25 spent since last post between A&C, L!do, Mr S and O~box (will come overnight).

OH dinner : Shepherds pie.
My dinner : Shepherdless pie.

£184.98/£250.
£65.02 left.

boxofpaws

A pilchards in tomato sauce toastie is a proper treat round ours 

Suffolk_lass

Well, I shopped (DH grabbed a few bits in the first week of Jan but this is my big shop. I did pick up some butter (none frozen), lots of cheese, yogurt, some cream, frozen salmon and six rolls and a pack each of crackers, crisp-bread and digestives but most of my basket was fruit and veg. While waiting to grab a big pot of greek-style yogurt a man was label-reading and we started to chat. I suggested the full-fat greek-style own brand is a good choice. It is less than 5% sugars (that from milk) and he picked up a pot on my recommendation. While waiting at checkout the same man appeared and recommended a box of chocolate treats to me - I did question whether I should be considering chocolates and did not pick any up and we joked a little (self deprecating humour questioning if an overweight woman should be encouraged to buy chocolate!). When on my way back to the car it occurred to me it could almost have been flirting (one of the post-pandemic lost arts I think)

I did treat myself to two for £5 fresh flowers - some roses and some chrysanthemums (that have refreshed a vase of Christmas leftover stems) and then a tub or two of ice cream and some chocolate (just for emergencies, you understand) crept into my trolley - no irony there then. Moralising with a man about chocolates in a box (one at lunchtime, as a treat apparently) while I was standing there with two slabs of galaxy and some ice-cream!

All this time DH was in the car, having divided and conquered in the main town (he got e-Bay drop offs and charity shops, while I shopped. We treated ourselves to coffee and a toasted teacake (sublime) and I also bought some economy cuts from the butcher, and some spices and organic oats from the health food shop.

My spreadsheet has been updated. GC appears under pressure, with the additions of stores by month (rather than as an annual total, as previously) and the inclusion of subscriptions for some brands and DD (milk), it is much more accurate but much more than I realised. That said, water filters and toilet paper are not regular extravagances and they do always need to be there when we need them!

Finstickle

January is not going well!!

£93.47 - Musclefood. 
This wasn't planned in for January as I was trying to make it through but the freezer was completely empty.  This should last 3 months though and will save money longer term as I can now get on with some batch cooking.   Already had chili for 3, froze for 2 and another small portion for lunch.

£12.70 - Spar
Beer & wine on the spur of the Friday night

£101.84 - Lidl
The fridge was also very bare and had DSS & In-laws for the weekend, not counting the fact that we were eating the random leftover Christmas cheese for lack of anything else (almost all gone now, 2 blocks we were given went in the freezer)
The only 'off-list' purchase was a £3.99 pot plant.  I'm slowly greening the house and do find the plants hard to resist

Current total £447/480 - £33.42 remains 

I am going to be overspent in January.

Suffolk_lass

@Finstickle I consciously buy myself a couple of bunches of flowers in the dark months - they literally lift my spirits so worth £5 (2 for £5)

bargainbetty

@Finstickle

I took my mother to the supermarket and thought I would pick up a little bunch of carnations for her while we were there for exactly the reason Suffolk_lass gave - they lift your spirits. 

When we met up after the checkouts, she had bought me some for the same reason  

nannygladys

I agree with you all about the fresh flowers, my mum always sent me some through the post at Xmas time and sdad carried the tradition on after she had passed but now I have to buy my own all year round, I miss my Xmas ones.

No money spent as doing grandma duties today, and I could do with eating all the fresh stuff I have in the fridge before another made bigger shop happens, I'll probably need milk in a few days though.
Nannyg

elsiepac

Hi guys! 

Budgets updated to here

February Challenge now up

I've failed miserably at keeping track in January - it was such a long month and I've been so all over the place in my head and not planned, currently I've got about £1.50 left but a full freezer and lots of dry goods.  I get paid Friday 28th and it'll be a 4 week February.

QueenJess

Will be slightly low on veg and although I could last, I’m trying to eat more veg. So I’ve ordered a veg box this week for £18.30.

Total spend £467.36 / £575

Edit: Changed my mind for the millionth time!  Cancelled the order based on a rough meal plan I just did and it should just about be enough, plus I already have peas, sweetcorn, red cabbage, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower and butternut squash in the freezer!

Total spend £449.06 / £575

shabbychic12

Doing better than l ever thought l could do and l can do better lm sure. Currently at 250/400 as my daughter gave me an Hello Fresh code for a free box which l used this week and then cancelled the subscription straight away. I can confirm the meals have been very tasty too😂