April 2023 Grocery Challenge

thriftwizard

Just added £53.02 for a "remedial" shop, replacing bits the girls have used up whilst we were away. But have just realised that I probably also need to add the £30 "housekeeping" that I left them with - DD2 tells me it basically all went on the first day, buying loads of veggie "treats" and readymade exotic stuff! Whilst the cat's away, eh... Luckily there were plenty of eggs, fish, cheese and stuff in the freezer to keep them going for the next 3 days. Oh dear, I think I may need to Have A Word! But that still leaves me with a reasonable amount (£116.14) for the next week's catering, somehow.

bunnybrain

Safe to say that for my first attempt at budgeting - I have failed miserably  - did not meal plan properly - or rather follow my plan lol - got thrown off by working nights and not wanting to cook after 6 of these over 8 days - lots learned to take forward for next month though

KajiKita

Thevalueofless said:

Wk 4 £51.22, running total for month £275.20/£270

Uh oh yet again! April has not been my month! Over already and it's a five weeker for me. I really have tried to only spend on necessary items to keep spending low and not purchased any store cupboard bits but that hasn't helped me. Will try to keep away from the shops as much as possible but do need to pick up loo roll tomorrow and some veg. Feeling a bit grumpy and disappointed with my efforts but that won't last for long and I'll get my happy planning head back on 🙂

It’s been a tough one here too. Not just you. And don’t be disappointed - I suspect it would have been even worse for both of us if we hadn’t been paying attention!

KK

joedenise

bunnybrain said:

Safe to say that for my first attempt at budgeting - I have failed miserably  - did not meal plan properly - or rather follow my plan lol - got thrown off by working nights and not wanting to cook after 6 of these over 8 days - lots learned to take forward for next month though

Have you got the freezer space to batch cook some HM ready meals for those nights when you’re tired or CBA?  Things like chilli, curry, mince base which you can eat with some pasta or mash etc.  It can make so much difference to our budgets if we have things prepared to just grab and reheat.  I tend to get something out of the freezer the night before to defrost in the fridge overnight.

K9sandFelines

Nelliegrace said:

Carolyn from The 1940’s Experiment blog, has written about how the WW2 Rations diet has saved her a lot of money. It is a healthy diet, with a bit less meat, dairy produce, and sugar, and fewer sweets than we have got used to having, and more seasonal vegetables. 
The money saving is from all the things you don’t buy, crisps, biscuits, desserts in plastic pots, sugary breakfast cereals, snacks, takeaways and delivered fast food, highly processed meals, fizzy drinks, etc. She has reduced her budget from £85 to just over £18 a week, saving £3,400 a year.
I am impressed. 

I am following this too.very interesting .

mumtoomany

Flying in to update, before I lose the receipts! Total spent on last week or so is ,£75.13. Mostly due to DD3 being here with her staff discount card. Off to check on the sheep now, will update signature later, hugs, mumtoomany.xx

number_23

Hi

It's been a busy week but checking in with a total spend (up to Friday) of £487.98/£600. I think we will come in under as I've done the shopping for this week and will only need a little top up of bread and milk later in the week. 

We have still spent too much this month, but bearing in mind that it was the first week of April's spends that prompted me (circa £230) to join this forum and this chat. 

This year, Grocery spends so far;

January £861.06
February £422.19
March £1,005.28
April £487.98 so far

Happy with progress but next month will be better 

CA23

Soontobeoap

Went to Sainsburys today to buy juice. Checked website last night and discovered that lemons, scampi, dishwasher tablets, lactose free cathedral city cheese (got 4) and frozen richmond sausages were all on offer so added them to the list because we will need them next month. DH seems to have become addicted to dorritos but found a new flavour for 75p cheaper a bag so bought 2 🤦‍♀️! He also NEEDED digestive biscuits! We bought some half and half sugar because you cant get that in Aldi, some minted lamb grills ( I have some to use up but not enough for both of us), bread, ham, milk and I threw in some puff pastry that wasnt on the list! Total £55.31. We didnt seem to have much to show for all that money. ☹️ It has been such a long month! Declaring ar £352.64/£350.00 

Doom_and_Gloom

Doom_and_Gloom said:

£221.44/£240.
£18.55 left.

£12.94 spent in Mr S since last post.

£234.39/£240.
£5.61 left.

Hoping we can come in budget this month. 

LadyWithAPlan

I havent been tracking properly the last 2 months but my normal £145/pm plus £30 bulk has been blown.. £180 on food and some kitchen/toilet roll plus £30 bulk on 10 x 250g coffee.
I am hoping I can eat out the freezer and fridge til Sunday but may need more greens and veg. The freezer is packed though and no room to freeze anything so.. so I do want to eat it down a bit..
Easter week was spendy and I was doing a diy course so was eating out  the house all week or walking past shops - all supermarket food  but still adds up those extra shopping trips.

I am eating lots of kale, spinach etc - really choosing to up the green and veg content plus meat (mainly chicken is never  cheap). I may have to accept the food inflation and up my May budget to £180 + £40 bulk including my vacation food. I am off  away on holiday  in Europe in May  but where I stay I know there is a lidl 5mins away and a great rotisserie chicken place locally as well. Be interesting to see the prices there to see if they have risen as much as UK prices.
I have loads YS GF bread in the freezer and i am being strict on the dairy - over easter a dairy egg and butter added when I was visiting family meant I had a bright red rash  rash appear on my neck as it does. So no dairy for the last week and I am feeling much better and both my skin and scalp rash is better.
I am 100% strict on my GF but Dairy its easy to creep in what with milk in crisps, butter in food etc. I need to go completely DF as well for life - its annoying as TGTG and often YS food has wheat and or dairy.

I am lucky I can afford to eat so well given my allergies (Not that I am shopping at waitrose regularly!)