I'm back! Trying to spend less on food!

mumtoomany

Last October I started a thread to see how long i could last on the £187.15 that i had left of my shopping budget for the year. I did this mainly to keep myself accountable. I didn't think anyone would read it. It ran in the end to 27 pages and had over 55000 views. @Floss asked of i was doing the same this year. So here I am.

My budget for the year for food, cleaning products, personal care, is again £2640. This is comprised of £1440 from DD1 and £1000 from ourselves, (OH and I). We live in a big old farmhouse. OH and myself, DD1, S-i -L1, and their three children, aged 8, 6, and 4. I cook each evening for all of us, and anyone else who is staying. I also buy enough food for the other meals, although these often become a free for all. DD and S-i-L also buy some bits, such as ready meals to eat at work and wine. I grow some fruit and vegetables and we keep chickens, sheep and sometimes pigs.

Anyone who read my previous thread, will have seen that the cupboards and pantry were full in October, they are still full! Some things have been eaten, but been replaced by Christmas goodies. The three freezers are also full and both fridges. My first task this month will be to empty the fridge freezer that lives in the barn. I try to only use it as a top up freezer when we have a pig or lamb back from the abattoir. 

The challenge will be, despite the increases in food prices, to not spend more than the £2640 this year, and to do this without telling anyone, other than people on here, that I'm doing it. I don't want DD to feel she needs to contribute more, they are saving to finish building there own house.

Wish me luck, and feel free to contribute any ideas. I may be an old dog, but new tricks are more than welcome.


Hugs to all, mumtoomany.xxx

Madbat60

Good luck to you. I have the same issue with my son, he will give me more money if he feels I'm struggling. I don't want him to do that, I want him to save money to buy somewhere.  So I keep my money challenges secret.

thriftwizard

I take my hat off to you, MTM! Your previous thread was an absolute inspiration and kept me looking for ways to work with what we have, rather than running up to the supermarket every day. I'll be reading along with great interest.

Floss

@mumtoomany Thank you, I'm so glad you're doing this again. Your challenge has inspired me to be more mindful of my own spend (which should be less than it currently is). Looking forward to reading how you get on.

patentgirl

@mumtoomany look forward to reading how you get on loved your last thread you are very inspirational x

sheilavw

Good luck mumtoomany in this years challenge x

Tashja

Can't wait to follow along Was a silent reader of your other thread xx 

remmie

Also a silent reader but found your thread so inspirational. Looking forward to this one x

mumtoomany

Hi all.

Lunch today for OH and I was chicken soup. Stock from boiled up chicken bones, left over from the thighs I cooked last week. Having boiled them, i stripped every scrap of meat off. The gristle, fat and skin went to feed the dog, the bones were burnt. The bits of meat, two finely diced small onions, half a pot of cream and the stock went into a pan, with a bit of seasoning. Chicken soup for two people for two meals, if OH hadn't had seconds, for the price of a few pennies.

Tea today will be roast HG pork, carrots, sprouts, parsnips, (all bought Christmas eve for 19p pack), roast potatoes, stuffing, apple sauce.

This morning I've peeled and chopped the remaining five cooking apples. I then stewed them, for apple sauce. Some will be for today, the rest frozen in portions. All the remaining sprouts have been peeled. Any not used today, will be blanched and frozen. I'm going to slice/chop the rest of the chestnut mushrooms I bought on 24th December. They too will be frozen.

Lovely to see so many nice comments, thank you, Hugs, mumtoomany.xxx

[Deleted User]

Yippee, I’m delighted you’re doing this again! You are the inspiration behind my no spend on food January, so I’ll definitely be reading and cheering you on.

Lots of love to you and the family xx

Katiehound

I might have commented before but I always read your thread, so good luck with all your cooking, baking & caring.