March 2022 Grocery Challenge

Doom_and_Gloom

Spent £25.58 since last post between Mr S, L!do and H&B.

£175.53/£170.50.
£5.03 over.

Not going to declare yet as I am sure OH will need to go shopping before the end of the month.

goldfinches

Hello all, decided that as I'm up because my eyelids are firmly refusing to stay closed, I'll update the GC with today's top-up purchases.
I spent £9.31 at M*rks on yoghurt, wine for salad dressings, lettuce, 2 x radishes, cucumber and 4 y/s 4-pint bottles of organic milk. It was a bit of a struggle carrying those home in my rucksack and then I had to rearrange the freezer to fit three of the bottles in, but a real saving not only in money but in reducing trips to the shops, so worth the effort I think.

My new monthly total is £98.51/£124 and my average daily spend is £3.51.

The baking budget spent £1.30 at M*rks on golden syrup which makes the new total £15.08/£25.

Greying_Pilgrim

Morning Challenger chums,

I'm still trying to inch towards the finish line of Thursday close of play, with my £5.26 budget intact, so cheering on at the sidelines for nannygladys and everyone else who's so close to keeping to budget too.  The fact prices are spiralling is making this all so hard.  

DawnW - our monthly budget is 'normally' £200 too, and should include as many of the non-food things that we need - shampoo, toothpaste, stamps, envelopes etc etc, but it's proving impossible.  My uber-tight March budget of £100 is strictly for food items this month, as I've got 'something of most things' (eg toothpaste) to last at least this month (April might be a different matter 😬).  But I absolutely agree with your comment that you are by no means extravagant, and we too shop mainly at MrL - and if not there, it's BandM, FArmF00ds, HB etc etc.  To me, there seem to be fewer (if any) tools left to deploy to save the pennies.

But I would just like to say that being part of this challenge this month has been sooooooo helpful.  I've felt accountable and have tried hard to keep to my menu plan, which in turn is helping to keep to the budget.  Whilst we've never been a 'treat food' heavy household, and takeaways don't happen (mostly due to the poor quality of local t/away establishments, rather than any virtuosity on our part! 😂), I'm finding that crisps (for example) are not being bought every week (not that we bought loads anyway).  We're at 'doing without', rather than brand down-shifting, or cutting down takeaways level already.  Which is meant as an illustration of where our family of 3 is at, and an indicator of whether we could - possibly - maintain this £100 budget for another month.......... or two............... 

With best wishes to all, Greying X

ancientmum

I'm back from granny duties, with £1.65 left in the grocery budget.  There was a microwave and fridge in my b and b room so I bought a few ready meals, and muesli as I made my own breakfast.  Fresh milk was supplied  which made a nicer cup of tea than those little pots you usually get.  I just need some milk and can make do with what's in the freezer and cupboards until Friday. All other expenses  come out of the holiday fund.
The big purchase this month was a bag of wash pods from Savers for £9.89, considerably cheaper than the supermarkets.  It will last for at least 5 months, counting it as a hedge against inflation.
If I was not doing the challenge I would be restocking now  rather than waiting until Friday  , it certainly focuses the mind.
Tonight and tomorrow's tea will be tuna pasta bake, Thursday's will be a freezer suprise, probably soup of some kind.

DawnW

Thanks @Greying_Pilgrim - not just me then. I purposely didn't include takeaways or eating out in our budget, because we don't do them, or maybe once or twice a year. Going and getting a takeaway takes longer than making something quick and easy, let alone the cost. And I find eating out frustrating because unless you go somewhere really upmarket where the type of food served is noticably different from stuff cooked at home, I resent paying loads for something 'ordinary' that would be at least as good If I cooked it myself. When I was working, there were the usual staff meals out etc, and the occasional takeaway if I was too tired or late home to cook (though even then OH would usually have done something), but this doesn't happen now that I have retired. And I certainly don't miss it. I know that restaurants and takeaways are a huge source of pleasure for some people, but not for me.

Suffolk_lass

MissRikkiC said:

Is there an April thread or do we need to give @elsiepac a helping hand? I’m pretty pants but can follow instructions 🤭

Not yet but I think it is imminent as she was active 40 minutes ago (according to her profile) - I did nudge with a PM a few days ago

Greying_Pilgrim

DawnW said:

Thanks @Greying_Pilgrim - not just me then. I purposely didn't include takeaways or eating out in our budget, because we don't do them, or maybe once or twice a year. Going and getting a takeaway takes longer than making something quick and easy, let alone the cost. And I find eating out frustrating because unless you go somewhere really upmarket where the type of food served is noticably different from stuff cooked at home, I resent paying loads for something 'ordinary' that would be at least as good If I cooked it myself. When I was working, there were the usual staff meals out etc, and the occasional takeaway if I was too tired or late home to cook (though even then OH would usually have done something), but this doesn't happen now that I have retired. And I certainly don't miss it. I know that restaurants and takeaways are a huge source of pleasure for some people, but not for me.

DawnW - I literally could have written your post verbatim.  That is precisely how I see things.  We happen to be a vegetarian household, and whilst there are (obviously), some fantastic veggie/vegan food outlets, the 'mainstream' offerings are usually.......... well, I shall be kind, and say rarely better than I could make myself, certainly not for any less financial outlay. 

In addition, your post re-inforces my point about finding 'like minds' here.  It matters not to me if people eat meat, have takeaways, buy packet mixes etc etc - we are all finding our own path.  What the GC highlights is that it's tough, and it's getting tougher.  I like food, cooking and exploring recipes.  I cook from scratch mostly (although use tins and packets as ingredients), and I'm still finding it hard.  On here, others are reporting the same.  Whilst I wish it was different (for us all), it is at least comforting for me (personally) to know "it's not just me then".  The issue of how to manage the household budget and menu is a real struggle.  I have the (dubious) "benefit" of experiencing a 1970's childhood, and come from a working class poor background.  The 'tools' that I have learnt over the years help, but even so, I'm running low on options......

But I do greatly appreciate the support and kindness shown on this thread.  Thank you, all.

Greying X

elsiepac

April GC Now Live!

kayannie

As an 'oldie' who married in the 1960's, I remember the tips in a magazine on saving the pennies. One example was to open up the empty sugar bag to get to the last few grains of sugar. I have started doing this, & it is surprising how much is left behind! Another tip was to water down the milk, but it was all full fat in those days, & I wouldn't want to try that with the skimmed milk that I use! I was horrified this week when I saw that a 6 pack of our favourite crisps has gone up from 99p to £1.15! Back when I was first married, I allowed myself £5 a week & this covered everything. It was a long time ago though!
KA

Soontobeoap

thanks for getting April thread up and running @elsiepac. It is appreciated more than you know.I have had a few times that I would not have stayed on budget without the thought that I would have to fess up to the lovely people on this thread. 
@DawnW . I am also struggling to stay inside my budgets but am determined to try for a few months anyway. It is comforting to know that it’s not just me. 

@nannygladys, you are an inspiration to us all. I still have a lot to learn.
@ancientmum  I too have the urge to restock at this time of the month but have held off. In the current climate  I am buying stuff cheaper if I see it but not replacing each ingredient when I run out if I have everything made up already in the freezer.

Thanks everyone for being my support network.