January 2022 Grocery Challenge

StickyTheStickInsect

I’ve almost 2 weeks to catch up on, I’d managed to minimise our spend a bit but then 3 out of 5 of us got COVID, so I’ve had to revert back to deliveries and got things that I would normally get cheaper elsewhere. Additionally, the cat litter that we need for the Feline dictator’s, seems to be out of stock almost everywhere and I’m paying over 2 times the usual cost per pack. 

So an Iceland top up shop for £30.15, a L*dl (£63.39) and a T*esco bulk shop (£49.21), Dishwasher rinse aid, cat food and sanitary bits £7.45 in W*lko and £3.25 in Poundland for crisps and kids school snacks. The L*dl bulk shop included their offer of 48 cans of tuna for £14.99 and that should last us hopefully until the autumn.

It was DS1’s birthday, £9.85 at the C*-Op for Popcorn, sweets and drinks for Movie night and £16.22 in L*dl for birthday cake and some birthday food. 

£2.30 for a milk and bread top up at the C*-Op, a M*rrison’s delivery of £105.68 and some things on my friends T*sco delivery as we are still isolating for £13.80.

£585.80 total for January, it’s more than I’d budgeted but we’ve had a birthday and also brought things we wouldn’t normally to make things easier with the little’s whilst DH and I have COVID. We have managed to still not have any takeaway’s whilst we’ve been ill, so I’m happy with an increased grocery cost for convenience items instead.

I’m also considering if our budget of £100 a week is enough, there are quite a few things that have really gone up in price, cat litter was 2 bags for £5 and is now 1 bag for £5.99. The guide at the beginning of the thread estimates an average food bill for a family of 5 to be £183, we aren’t spending that much but are spending on average about £120 a week. I’ll see how we go for February and then might update my annual amount.

January total £585.80/£5,200

Year total £585.80

Rowan9

Came in under around £180/ £200. Lots still in freezer. Really pleased. Hope for same amount in Feb 

diminua

diminua said:

Another 47.03 spent. About half of which was the veg box, and another quarter drinks with dad. I've got 2.22 left. 

I'm declaring at this - the first month I've come under, so I'm pleased about that. I am in the office tomorrow and need to buy something nice for a sandwich so I'm not tempted by the premade ones. 

mumtoomany

Another £1.70 for milk, it's gone up again at farmfoods. £2 for two bottle now, (before staff discount). So total for January, and the year so far, is £165.17/£2640. Not too bad at all. This is for most meals for eight of us, (5 adults, 3 children) plus visitors. Also all house hold stuff, soap powder, toilet roll etc. All three freezers are still full and we have lots of vegetables, and all the cupboards are full. Lets see how we do next month. Hugs to all, mumtoomany.xx

Doom_and_Gloom

We ended January on

£260.61/£250

£10.61 over.

Not great but on to February which is mostly a use up month so our budget is reduced drastically to £150, may do the use up in March also as honestly our freezer is packed. 

Paspatur

goldfinches said:

P.S. I did notice in M*rks that the half size tins of their own brand baked beans were on offer for 20p each, which is 5p cheaper than Mr T's own brand equivalent. Just thought I'd mention it in case it's useful to anyone on here.

Thanks goldfinches that is useful for me. I don't eat baked beans but use a small tin once a week for my granddaughter. However, for anyone who needs the larger size Mr T's large size are 4 for £1 with Clubc*ard so same price as the small ones. Until 15th Feb

StickyTheStickInsect

I realise I missed a receipt for £5.99 for Cat Litter, so a slight adjustment 

January total £591.54/£5,200

Year total £591.54

JingsMyBucket

Just need to declare one last spend yesterday. 16.84 at M and S for yoghurt, berries, onions, garlic, cereal, bacon, and composting bags. 

Final January GBP total comes to £267.43 

clootiedumplin

Well  I seriously underestimated my January budget of £100 and came in at £204.30 🥴
Determined to do a lot better in February. 🤞

pelirocco

Paspatur said:

goldfinches said:

P.S. I did notice in M*rks that the half size tins of their own brand baked beans were on offer for 20p each, which is 5p cheaper than Mr T's own brand equivalent. Just thought I'd mention it in case it's useful to anyone on here.

Thanks goldfinches that is useful for me. I don't eat baked beans but use a small tin once a week for my granddaughter. However, for anyone who needs the larger size Mr T's large size are 4 for £1 with Clubc*ard so same price as the small ones. Until 15th Feb

I freeze left over baked beans