How Much For Shopping A Week?

angelavdavis

In order to set yourself a realistic budget, I would sign into Tesco or a similar online shopping site and enter your shopping list.

Ignore the 2 for 1 deals and make a note of normal prices where special offers may be featured (so, make a note of the actual price rather than the ltd period price) and total it up to get a good idea. Then add £5 more in case you have missed anything.

This is your starting budget point and then you can aim to reduce or stay within this amount (depending on affordability of course!).

If you shop somewhere that doesn't have an online service such as Lidl, do it anyway using one of these sites or use a shopping comparison sites such as http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/FirstTimeHome.aspx and pick a price in the middle of those listed.

This is how I did my initial grocery challenge budget of £200 per month and then I challenged myself to reduce it down by £40 per month - which I managed eventually!

Crazychik

Kaz2904 wrote: »

Another way to cut costs is to make a house rule of no smoking inside- it cuts your costs when it's cold and you have to make the effort to get up and go out and it's better for the kids. (I do this). Ideally I want to give up but one step at a time hey?

Totally agree with this one, myself & OH never thought twice about lighting up a cigarette in the living room whilst watching TV. Now, we limit our selves to the back door! I dont smoke half as much as before. Im not a heavy smoker and we're quite happy to share the odd fag. And by not smoking in the front room, I dont go through as many plug in air fresheners as before.

Try and cook extra at meal times, and freeze any left overs you may have. Or to be re-heated for the next day.
Meal plan for the following week of the food items you allready have in stock. Just to avoid wastage and keep costs down.
Always shop with a shopping list, and never shop when you or the LO's are hungry!
Do you buy branded foods? Is it worth trying the next cheaper variety available?

In my household, there's myself, OH, DS age 11 & DD age 8, 1 dog, 3 cats & 1 rabbit, we average our weekly shopping bill to around £60-70, this includes all pet food & toiletries, pack up food (for all of us 5 days a week) aswell as fresh food & cupboard items.

I bake a lot, so that saves on buying biscuits, cakes, nibbles etc.

Good Luck