February 2023 Grocery Challenge

mumtoomany

Hi, @Saver-upper. Here we are seven people, four adults and three children. I count any human food that is eaten in the house. So if OH guys a sausage sandwich to go with his free coffee at the cash and carry, (£1) they is not included, as he's eating out. If the other adults choose to buy additional things they are not counted, so wine or sushi. There is always more than enough food in the house. The dog's food is counted with other animal feed/supplies. She is a sheep dog, so part of the farm not the house, as far as costs are concerned. I also include toothpaste, dishwasher tablets, toilet rolls, etc in groceries. 

We are fortunate that I grow a lot of vegetables, I do not include the cost of seed/compost, as I sell spare plants and vegetables on the gate. We also eat some of our own livestock, I then include the cost of slaughter and butchering. If we buy animals specifically to eat, e.g. piglets last year, to fatten, the purchase cost of those is included.

I think the most important thing is to see what works for your family, and stick to the same categories each month. That way you'll know which direction your spending is heading. Good luck with it all, hugs, mumtoomany.xxx

SausageDogSandwich

Small spend yesterday of 2.60 on black pudding and hash browns for fry up last night. No luck with olio again this week, will have to do a big shop on Sunday, well not big but expensive as almost run out of cheese, milk, non bio etc. 

In my gc challenge I include all food, toiletries, cleaning supplies for a family of 5, two adults and three children. I don’t include takeaways (usually once a month) or when it’s the kids birthdays, they pick whatever they want for birthday tea so that isn’t included - I could up the budget those months but for now find it easier to seperate it. I also don’t include dog food as I buy it three times a year.

cuddlymarm

Hi Elsiepac
I’m a little late to the party this I know but please can I join
Can you please put me down for £1800 for the year
Hopefully I will be able to bring my total well under but it also includes all the Xmas food (and treats) and hopefully half a lamb for the freezer.
Mainly I shop online and it’s rare I pick up YS sticker items apart from bread (and then only if there’s lots) I work full time and OH part time with a small private pension so in these hard times I leave YSs for those who need them.
Thanks Cuddlymarm 

2Scratters

@Saver-upper I am just in the process of upping our budget to £250 just to simplify it for me. There are 2 adults and 2 dogs. Their food has always been included. It would appear I have been supplementing some purchases and would rather not. We have cash purse to use which helps keep spends down and be more accountable. I am working towards retiring and need to know how we will manage. We won't be rich that's for sure.
I will be adding the butcher purchases that done happen too often and the other household bits. 
Have you got a cupboard/fridge/freezer list - I have only recently done this and it is an eye opener. I mark as items go out and in.  It certainly helps with what is in there and a quick check for what may be needed. Very visual.
The uniforms should be another budget. Have you completed the MSE budget planner? that picks up all sorts of bits giving some guidance of getting it all listed. It will take time getting it to a place where you are happy with.
The hardest part is getting started and here you are. 

2 Scratters xx

Gettingmyshiztogether

First shop for February done today! Very pleased I could stretch January's food another few days. In fact I have been able to base another 5 meals around what we still have in.

£74.02 spent in L!dl but we still need cream cheese, eggs and Veggie suet. 

I was brave and withdrew £100 from the cashpoint to use instead of my card. I decided to add it up on the way around also just to make sure I had enough. Which I knew I did, but just didn't trust myself enough yet 🙃 the till was over by 60p from my figures but I was too nervous to question it. I'll check next week the price tags, with prices going up almost weekly the poor staff can't keep on top of changing the labels all of the time. Last time this happened they refunded me.

I had my list and stuck to it. I did buy a few extras also, YS 6pk white rolls x2 20p each and YS huge posh sourdough and veggie (with Olives 😍) pizza (should have been £4.30 each originally) 70p each! So they have gone into the freezer for next Friday. I grabbed an extra bag of oats and peanut butter for next week as they were on offer.

Over all I am feeling very positive.

£74.02/£420.00

2Scratters

@otb666 would DH work with a visual list of what is in the cupboards and other storage areas? Maybe do this together so you both know where you are at. If you both mark off when removed and replaced appropriately he may find his shopping list gets easier and money is saved. Is this online shopping you are referring to?

2 Scratters xx

patentgirl

@Saver-upper another one here who has lots of different budgets but still account for every penny that comes in or out each month. My food budget is roughly £250 per month £3000 for year which is just food all cleaning products apart from big box of soap powder gets budgeted under extras when I buy it, this is for 3 adults but often have grandchildren and most months cook a big roast for the 12 of us. Alcohol comes under Entertainment which includes odd meal out or takeaway ( which I always moan after could have made it better myself) I like to draw cash out for each and another old school record it all in book.  Good luck x

zafiro1984

First spend of the month £54.09/199.36

LadyWithAPlan

@Saver-upper I have a grocery pot that covers just my food in.
Household items like cleaning stuff I have a separate small pot but I am testing  having it included, but so far I would prefer to keep it separate.

I have  a bulk fund I put £30 in a month  (its just me) from each January  for those buys such as bulk buying coffee online or stocks, YS big meat deals etc for next month etc - the bulk fund is hugely helpful and comes off  advice from this GC challenge as i let it build up and then any excess is useful for Xmas food.

I have a treats/Entertainment  pots that includes drinks/coffee out, Takeaways (max once a month for me anyway) and also any meals out as well as entertainment so tickets for gigs etc.

Some people have alcohol in their GC but I think its better to track separately to be honest. 

If you feel your ready meals are treats then maybe you choose to put them into treats. I don't eat enough of them to warrant it - I am GF DF so most ready meals are not possible for me. Either way  the important thing is that you can already see the relative cost especially with a larger family of Ready Made food which is part of the learning about your budget and your personal food spending. Thats the lesson you have learnt, what you do with it is up to you   The challenge is just great for feedback about your own life and spending.

Many of us here now cook deliberately larger  portions and  immediately freeze the extra so we always have 'home made ready meals' in the freezer when one is tired or ill. I have at present gorgeous Homemade soups, chillis, thai green currys, stock, all waiting to be defrosted - I even have been known to write a menu plan of my freezer food.

I am still learning lots of tips here and many MSE people meal plan for maximum budget focus - some meal plan through glorious cookbooks at the beginning of each month  for the whole month and bulk buy that way so they have amazing food at a great budget  (such as the legendary Tilly Tidy whose lengthy but brilliant diary is well worth a read for her focus on using her budget including her grocery towards getting her home paid off which she did very successfully)

 I dont meal plan though, although I do have various things I do each week towards that - like buy a Cornfed FR chicken from Lidl and make a few meals from it and soup stock as well.

Soontobeoap

Best laid plans have gone to pot. This bug is exhausting. Had planned to make up the beef mince into burgers and shepherds pies and the cooked chicken into pies by now. Havnt even cooked chicken yet! Have managed to get gammon joint, bacon and mince into already jam packed freezer and chicken will have to be cooked tommorrow even if we dont feel like roast. Soup tonight with nice bread.

DH managed to get out today and buy eggs. Another £4.05 spent.