August 2024 Grocery Challenge

diminua

@crazybunnylady4 - it varies. I'm pretty sure the original challenge is groceries only, and that's what most people count, but I include takeaway coffees and lunches as those are things I want to target and not see creep up. They're a nice bunch here and no-one has ever suggested I'm doing it 'wrong'.  

weenancyinAmerica

@crazybunnylady4 - the best part of the challenge is you can include whatever you think will help you the most. Some of the people on here have separate accounts for just groceries plus bulk sales, pet food, takeaways and meals out, entertaining, meals eaten on holidays, non-grocery items like tp and paper towels. You can pick and choose depending on how you plan your budget. I include Halloween candy in my grocery budget because I buy it at the same time as my food for the month, but I don't include taxable items like cat food and tp, paper towels, and bandages as these are taxable here. That puts them into separate columns on my "budget". Bulk sales I include in mine because that comes out of the same food money I have to spend. Good luck.

Suffolk_lass

@crazybunnylady4 over here I track al our spending and for this challenge I include everything I buy in the SM except pet/livestock related and I exclude treats and entertainment. I track it, but don't include it. So ice-cream or chocolate are excluded from this challenge, along with any alcohol, but they are in our going out heading which includes holiday spending too. That way, I can see if it is getting disproportionate. I think we have a healthy diet, but if I buy 3 litres of ice cream in my monthly SM shop, the stats say different!

If you already know your weakness is bought coffee and lunch, you need to specifically target those things. Here, it is not sticking to my list, so I only go once a month, to minimise the "ooh, sparkly!" (equivalent) moments where I can resist everything except temptation!

Nelliegrace

We did well with some 75% off, yellow-stickered items at Sainsbury’s just before closing on Sunday. I have frozen the good quality sausages in fours, and did a tasty pot roast with the guinea fowl, served with some steamed greens. Leftovers will do several more meals, then a bit of stock from the carcass.

I baked a batch of rock buns and some wholemeal scones while the oven was on. DH made a loaf in the breadmaker, 2 parts white and one part wholemeal strong flour. 
The blackberries are ripening and we have blueberries and plums from the garden. 
We eat very well on a small budget. 

I was vexed to see more butter producers are reducing packs to 200g. Do they think we won’t notice?

Soontobeoap

This week I think my domestos seemed thinner. Dont know if its my imagination. Also werthers originals appear to have got smaller. I may be wrong but think shrinkflation is hitting everything. I have the Grandchildren at the moment so have not recorded spends. I am keeping reciepts but honestly I am a bit scared to look! 🫣

crazybunnylady4

afternoon all;

Thank you for all the friendly advice on the takeouts/lunch& coffee budgeting side of things. 
I will go away and have a little think on the budget for this side of things and come back with an update.

I have decided to stick with my original £400 for all groceries to include bedding for our bunny and cleaning products, I still think we can do it comfortably. 

Groceries wise, for week 1 (1st - 7th August), since we have just had our Mr T delivery today, I am reporting £95.26/£400. 

ETA - I quibbled with myself after doing the maths and was going to go lower with this; but for now I will say £150 budget for coffees and eating out, work lunches etc. At present for week 1 this is at (eek) £66.71/£150.

LotsOfTea

I needed to restock on some essentials like fruit and salad bits yesterday and also some sweeties as a bribe for my son to not moan about going to holiday club on the days I'm working. He's at that difficult age where he's not quite old enough to stay at home but old enough to turn his nose up at being shipped off to do "activities". Anyway, I spent £14.96 and will need to get a couple more bits tomorrow (things we've run out of and a few useful snacks for our camping holiday which starts at the weekend). 

So far the tactic of shopping little and often for just what I need is working out well. I'd definitely have bought more by now if I'd ordered a delivery as I do get things I don't immediately need to make it "worthwhile". 

I'm busy making sure I use up all the fresh stuff that won't keep while we're away so we've had a veg and chickpea curry today and while it was cooking I did a carrot, sweet potato and squash soup that'll do for lunch on Friday when we're all at home. Just got to think of something to do with a couple of courgettes now. 

£35.96/£300

kayannie

LotsOfTea said:

I needed to restock on some essentials like fruit and salad bits yesterday and also some sweeties as a bribe for my son to not moan about going to holiday club on the days I'm working. He's at that difficult age where he's not quite old enough to stay at home but old enough to turn his nose up at being shipped off to do "activities". Anyway, I spent £14.96 and will need to get a couple more bits tomorrow (things we've run out of and a few useful snacks for our camping holiday which starts at the weekend). 

So far the tactic of shopping little and often for just what I need is working out well. I'd definitely have bought more by now if I'd ordered a delivery as I do get things I don't immediately need to make it "worthwhile". 

I'm busy making sure I use up all the fresh stuff that won't keep while we're away so we've had a veg and chickpea curry today and while it was cooking I did a carrot, sweet potato and squash soup that'll do for lunch on Friday when we're all at home. Just got to think of something to do with a couple of courgettes now. 

£35.96/£300

Have you tried courgette fritters? Only need 4 additional ingredients: egg, onion, SR flour & cheese. 
Grate courgette & cheese, chop onion & add beaten egg & 1 tablespoon flour. Season & fry tablespoonfuls, turn over after 5 minutes & fry other side until browned. I usually squash them down a bit while cooking.
Nice with veg or in a roll.
KA

hippiegirl

£180 which works out at just over £40 a week (£40.60), minus the first week, so starting with £140.

I haven't been on here for years after my laptop broke and wasn't in a position to get a new one and I don't like it on my tiny phone screen. I have a cheap laptop now so I can join in again.

£40 is just for me and as much as my budget will allow. I live with my adult son who has disabilities but he has his own money. 

Pennypincin

£17.03 spent in Lidl and Aldi.
Mainly on eggs, vegetables, plus some dried noodles, soy sauce and balsamic vinegar.
I managed to get quite a few reduced items.
I did a shop Monday and have misplaced the receipt.
I've just over £10 left in the food budget until Sunday night.
I may need some vegetarian protein for salads, but shouldn't have too much to get in for rest of the week.