January 2008 Grocery Challenge

Danni

Well, overspent quite a bit so far this month, but it was my first ever challenge and a complete guesstimate. I also hope that next month (as well as being shorter) I feed other people slightly less, and I need to start eating some of my frozen meals!

It probably didn't help that I went comfort shopping early hours Wednesday for chocolate, as I'd had a really bad night the day before (if that makes sense). I did buy more bread flour, potatoes and vitamins (as I'm not eating properly) then though

I think I'll set February's budget a bit higher, keep all the receipts and see where I can cut down.

DdraigGoch

So far, Li'l_me, I've had about 18 NSDs in January, so, with a full freezer and cupboards stuffed to groaning from Christmas and before, I've managed on a spend of £187.96

and at last, there's more money than month! How I'll manage next month I don't know, but I'll give it a proper go and put my/our spending in regularly [and the NSDs], promise *holds up hand in Brownie salute!*

So, for £20/head [2 adults and an alternating between breatharian and gannet 16yo DD] for 31 days, that works out at .... struggles with calculator, think, "Bet I still get it wrong ..." mutter, mumble,.....£265.72

GORDON BENNET!!!! _pale_How much?!:eek::eek:

I'd never added it up properly.... *faints in corner*

Now I can begin to see the reason for some of our problems

High_Peak_Lass

What a bleedin disaster!!!!

Gave up counting when i passed the £300 mark!!!

Never mind, back on the wagon today....

Start Feb challenge, going for £250

Off to the very bowels of hell (work) now so will update sig later!!!

jackiegibbo

lil_me wrote: »

I'll start the February list once the thread is up for it, I'll just get all lost if I try and do it before

Anyone else using www.spendingdiary.com ? I'm finding it helps me keep track of all of the other outgoings (I don't include monthly set bills etc)

Hi yes i started using it this month and its quite an eye opener:eek: :eek:
and it does seem to stop the odd takeaway,magazines,choccies etc:p

jackiegibbo

rosieben wrote: »

Your budget does seem a bit low to me Jackie, would it help to keep the pet food separate for a few months whilst you sort out your actual grocery spend?

I've no suggestions to make re the pet food except to say that when I had a dog and he was eating well on a diet that suited him I wouldnt have changed it unless finances made it an absolute necessity. not sure what your situation is but I'm sure others will be along with advice later or tomorrow

Hi yes thankyou for your advice:T :T i will keep the petfood seperate in febs challenge and see how i get on.I dont like it when they go in a huff,my big dog is almost human and can definitely pull at the heart strings where food is involved and the 2 cats will constantly miaow at me until they get what they want:p although im not sure why they still have to bring in mice and eat them:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

cheerfulness4

Had to make a mad late night dash to Mr T's last night as we were nearly out of loo roll. Take your eye off the kids for one minute and they're reeling it off again. :mad:
When I got there.... no Value rolls in, had to pay £1.79 for D velvet. :eek: S'pose at least there were 2 extra free in the pack but nearly killed me spending that.

At least I was able to get some of that D Egberts coffee on special with the 50p coupon... so effectively 87p a jar. That softened the blow. :rolleyes:

So total of £5.78 spent on:

2x coffee
6 loo rolls
15 eggs

So want this month to end so I get a fresh sheet again. :rolleyes:

theamazinggem

jackiegibbo - i've just tried my cats on the tinned food in lidl, and stunningly (they are a bit fussy) they ate it all dead quick with no fuss!

anyway it's quite a bit cheaper than tescos, so maybe give that a try? they may not go for it but if they do you're quids in.

spent another £12.96 in the last couple of days, on lunch, bananas, cake (don't), lamb shanks, bacon for boiling, chicken breasts (meat all on offer), bagels (offer) and bicarb and reduced stilton cheese.

so really nearly at budget now, but MUST be able to cope for a week (i start again on fri 1st, mainly because i get paid weekly at the moment) and mum's stopped yelling because there's no meat in the house. so that's nice.

mama67

Welcome to all the new people, the February challenge thread will likely be started over the next week or so, so when it does you can post your targets in there. This thread is removed of 'sticky' (kept at the top of the page) when the February one is post.

Sorry but what is "sticky" new to all this.

cheerfulness4

mama67 wrote: »

Sorry but what is "sticky" new to all this.

A sticky is a thread that stays at the top of the board and doesn't descend if there is a break in people posting. It takes priority over the others.

HTH

Clockwatcher

oh hello there, I'm new, defo will be starting this for next month, well probs the 31st of Jan as thats when I paid.

Just wondering, every few months I go and do a big shop of basics like pasta and rice which lasts me for ages, how do I budget that in my monthly target?

Cheers