February 2025 Grocery Challenge

Suffolk_lass

So, shopping collected. Only one additional item missing (in addition to the four things when I placed the order, days ago). I declined the substitution offered as it was 50% more expensive!

I added £28.23 to my GC total, and £51.06 to stores. My month to date is £136.24. I also had a treat thing £8.50 and some pet/livestock provisions, £8.76 - not included in GC but I track, to keep my life in perspective!

PipneyJane

Nelliegrace said:

@PipneyJane It started as a history project, reading Mass Observation compilations, and wartime diaries, such as Nella Last’s, and watching programmes such as the Wartime Kitchen Garden, and the Wartime Farm. Then there were books about the Dig for Victory campaign, and reprints of Ministry of Food information. Food was so important, a weapon of war, and housewives were the Homefront. It seemed incredible that people’s health improved on wartime rations, and children thrived as never before. The ration quantities were proven over fourteen years, on the whole UK population, to be sufficient for good health. The food was familiar, we grew up with it in the 50s, unadulterated, basic ingredients, seasonal vegetables, and most importantly, it was cheap. I don’t follow it rigidly but it is my standard, and I feel well on it, with my weight back to normal.

I found this in the Times from 6th February 1941, when there had been difficulties with the meat supply. Who cares now that every child gets the full daily ration of the protein they need to grow!

I completely appreciate your “History Project” @Nelliegrace.  One day, I may do the same.  It’s also one of the main factors behind why I do the Fashion On the Ration Challenge.  I had the pleasure of attending one of Marguerite Patten’s talks about 20 years ago, at the Cabinet War Rooms in Whitehall.  Fascinating.  I have her wartime recipe collections, too.

Just one small spend from today:  £2.10 spent in Sainsbugs on a crusty bloomer-with-olives, to accompany tonight’s baked Camembert.  We received a £2 coin in change and, once you add it to the other shrapnel (1p, 2p and 5p coins), the amount deposited in the money boxes has increased by £2.43.

The above brings our total spend to £52.90/£165.30 leaving £112.40 for the rest of the month.

- Pip

Suffolk_lass

I am really impressed @Nelliegrace - I may have to incorporate some of these principles into our diet. We cook from scratch as standard, using seasonal and home-grown, preserved fruit and veg, but we still have too much, in my view

RandomOne

Good morning. 
I am already close to blowing my budget.

This time, instead of disappearing from the thread in shame, which i have done hundreds of times before, I'm going to continue posting and keeping myself accountable. 
I have £60 of my Feb budget left, and i now know 100% that it's the snacking which is a problem. 

I'm going to do my best to spend sensibly for the rest of the month. Especially on snacks. 

patentgirl

@RandomOne don’t be too hard on yourself keep posting  I was coming on to say same out of my £250 budget already spent £209 so only got £41 left only spent £218 last month for January only day 10 ! got full stocked fridge and freezers We got this 😊

cheerfulness4

Random - you planned a 50% cut in your budget which was massive so don't be hard on yourself.  There is absolutely no reason why you can't adjust your budget at this stage to say £600 and still have a huge drop in your previous spends.  Just a thought. 

Nelliegrace

What are snacks?

sams247

Had a store cupboard tea last night - tune, rice, peas n sweetcorn, added some onions I'd softened in balsamic vinegar with drizzle honey.  Made plenty so I have some for lunch today too.  Am planning a fridge use-up kinda tea to take to work.  Hopefully that will mean no trip to a shop which means no temptations to spend.  

Suffolk_lass

Nelliegrace said:

What are snacks?

Hah! I went off to check the wartime rations for other things this morning. I happen to know 4oz of sweets every four weeks and a pound of jam a month were the snacks in 1940 - and of course you keep chickens so the one egg, and dried egg won't limit your options 

On a slightly more serious note, my treats and entertainment budget is tracked (which keeps it under review and control) but is not included in the GC. For example, I picked some dairy ice cream to keep at home, to ensure my click and collect voucher would be applied to my SM order, but it is in Treats & Entertainment (£100 allowed for in Feb)

K9sandFelines

K9sandFelines said:

Need to update spends, but I'm posting now so I don't forget.
I spent £15 odd at Aldi a few days ago.Meant to be just on a vegan chicken fillet and tinned peaches; but ended up getting some bits of fruit and veg also..Picked up a bag of bird seed too which I never do, as me and DGD go to feed the squirrels alot when in the park; but wanted to also have something for the pigeons .I'm not sure if I've posted about it here already 🤔
Also in HB, got toothbrush set for DGD, batteries for the remote, a sponge and toothbrushes for myself.

Will try and remember to tot up accordingly later today.

Realise I've posted this in the wrong month, but I've already totted up now 

I'm just under budget, and don't think I have any more spends now.

No plans to do anything with the underspend, except to be as consistent as possible and to hope for more of the same.