May 2022 Grocery Challenge

SausageDogSandwich

Hi all, I haven’t spent any money on groceries since I last posted, apart from £3.36 on the magic bag I had reserved on the Thursday so my total is now £133.33/£150 , no plans for any spending today but will have to get a few things tomorrow and then that should be it for my month as 3 days left. 

Doom_and_Gloom

This month is firmly in the epic 'fail' zone 😔.

We needed cleaning items and our bulk spices (we get the 400g bags where possible which are much cheaper in the long run but major outlay spends). My OH bought items to make burgers, he made 10 and 8 are in the freezer, along with a large beef joint he bought that was reduced that is also in the freezer.
As others have said these large bulk outlays cost, and have a habit of blowing the budget, but do save money down the line so I'm hoping we can claw back the money in the next few months.
I'd rather spend £2 on 400g of paprika for example vs 85p for a 44g jar which works out over 3 times, nearly 4 times, more expensive! We have large jars we store in a cupboard for the bulk but small spice jars in the spice rack that we decant into for ease of use. 

Anyway it is £46.32 spent in Mr S since last post. We decided we didn't need the A&C this week so skipped it. The O~box was also skipped for this week and next week to keep the budget down. Unfortunately next week we will need to get an A&C delivery that will count in May which is typical. We will likely need some items from Mr S before the end of the month too. 

£224.24/£170.50.
£53.74 over and will get worse 😭.

bargainbetty

I have utterly lost track of my spends on groceries, although I don't think I've been reckless - I forgot to track it. 

Had a bit of a result in Morrisons on the yellow stickers - my shop would have been about £24, but came in at £13.76 due to reductions. It would have been cheaper had there not been an interesting cream cake on special offer too

I think I can make it to month end on no ore than an extra loaf of bread now - well stocked up!

PipneyJane

Afternoon All

A quick question for you on practicalities:  how do you track your Grocery Challenge shopping?  I'm just being curious.  I use a spreadsheet in the Numbers app on my iPad/iPhone.  Every month, I start a new tab.  (I have a keyboard for the iPad, which makes it easier to note things down.)  

- Pip

K9sandFelines

PipneyJane said:

Afternoon All

A quick question for you on practicalities:  how do you track your Grocery Challenge shopping?  I'm just being curious.  I use a spreadsheet in the Numbers app on my iPad/iPhone.  Every month, I start a new tab.  (I have a keyboard for the iPad, which makes it easier to note things down.)  

- Pip

Just a little book. Pen and paper. 
I used to use YNAB, but abondoned it; although I have lifetime access. 

K9sandFelines

Greying_Pilgrim said:

Good Morning GC'rs

Good to read what everyone does with certain ingredients - always inspirational and an opportunity to gather new ideas; thank you.

We had a curry plate last night.  Turnip and Red Kidney Bean curry, lentil dhal and rice.  LG ate the dhal and rice, but wasn't brave enough to try the curry.  We had the last of the upside-down plum cake with greek yoghurt for dessert.  Two and a half portions of lentil dhal, a portion of rice and a portion of the curry got put into the freezer for another day, another curry plate.  

I've made a menu plan for the next 8 days, but I think I'll have to revisit it, as It's not exactly sparking joy at the mo.......But the freezer is full of meals and cooked ingredients, so we've food.  And if all fails, I have 1/4 of a turnip leftover too..........🤣👍No worries.

Greying X

Please share in the meal plan @Greying_Pilgrim when you're ready 😊
I'm always in awe of what you make. 

Doom_and_Gloom

PipneyJane said:

Afternoon All

A quick question for you on practicalities:  how do you track your Grocery Challenge shopping?  I'm just being curious.  I use a spreadsheet in the Numbers app on my iPad/iPhone.  Every month, I start a new tab.  (I have a keyboard for the iPad, which makes it easier to note things down.)  

- Pip

I have a refillable dairy and in the notes part I write down the total as it goes to keep track. I keep the months receipts in the diary too.
I find paper and pen the easiest.

FrugalHedonist

Might be a bit of an odd question but can you make houmous without tahini and subbing it for peanut butter or another nut butter. The child loves houmous but a jar of tahini is pretty pricey 

SausageDogSandwich

PipneyJane said:

Afternoon All

A quick question for you on practicalities:  how do you track your Grocery Challenge shopping?  I'm just being curious.  I use a spreadsheet in the Numbers app on my iPad/iPhone.  Every month, I start a new tab.  (I have a keyboard for the iPad, which makes it easier to note things down.)  

- Pip

I’m the same as @K9sandFelines and use a notebook, using online banking to see how much I spent then keeping total in notebook.

Pinwheel

Hello

I've just updated my signature and with a whole week to go I've gone over.  I think without the visitors and a birthday we would have been ok, so I'll try again with the same amount next month.  I have never had a treat budget as such although we have the odd treat when the budget allows, I think I will try setting a small one next month, it will be good to track it.

Thank you for all the ideas, recipes and inspiration.  
Have a good evening