April 2025 Grocery Challenge

JingsMyBucket

Okay, I just put in the Morrisons order to deliver this evening but I'll count it towards the May GC. I was able to get several bulk items we needed such as black peppercorns, a 1kg tub of peanut butter, etc that were cheaper than other sources lately. 

t14cy_t

JingsMyBucket said:

Nice choices to have @goldfinches. I’ll take anything that’s soft and buttery, please and thank you. 

After three recent shopping trips, I’ve spent £50.88 in the past few days. That takes us to… £414.94 / £400 spent. £14.94 overspent. 

We’re okay for food and fruit, baked beans, etc but may need some more vegetables. Morrisons sent me a £12 off £60 voucher to use by May 4th. I’m debating whether to use it for a couple reasons instead of just doing Tesco like normal:

CONS

• We’re pretty stocked up already
• I’m trying to avoid grocery delivery for the month. When I/we go to shops on foot, we spend less week to week.
• I’d need to visit Tesco on foot for our usual toilet paper anyway. 

PROS

• It would be an opportunity to try some new products and some favourites we haven’t had in a while. I’m really bored of Tesco’s offerings. And just our routine in general. 
• They have certain items on sale that I would like to stock up. 
• The More Card points boosters are actually for items I would buy this time. Adding them up, I’d be able to cash them out to get a £5 voucher after this particular shop. 

Also, I haven’t had any coupons from Tesco in the last 3–4 months I think. Anyone else not seeing any? 

Anyway, that’s my grocery-based waffling on for this morning! Have a good day everyone! 

i find i get more vouchers etc and lower prices with morrisons than tesco now too!

JingsMyBucket

@t14cy_t it’s weird isn’t it? It seems like after the holidays Tesco just stopped and stuck two fingers up at us 😂

goldfinches

Thanks for the help @JingsMyBucket, @weenancyinAmerica and @CJ Meyer Lemon cookies it is.

I'm claiming a NSD today thanks to the weather which was so nice I couldn't bear to be indoors or doing any shopping. 

I have also noticed that I don't get as many Tesco points as I used to and wonder if the CC prices are now their primary way of enticing us to spend our money there. There isn't a Morries around here so I can't comment on them but if I ever get the chance to have a nose around one of their branches I'll be looking at all the things you've mentioned here.

PipneyJane

Good evening All

I have two spends to declare from Sunday:  £5.02 spent in Sainsbugs on wild rocket £1, hummus 99p, 5 bananas 78p, and honey roast ham £2.25 for a picnic lunch.  Sadly, we forgot to buy wraps, so had to stop at a Sainsbug’s “Local” to get them.  OMG!  What a rip-off!  No own-brand products anywhere, so I had to purchase Mission-brand wraps - a packet of 6 for £1.85!  I could have bought them for about £1 in L!dl.

I’m declaring at £172.47/£172, which is 47p over budget.

See you in May.

- Pip

LiveSimply

I spent £257 for two of us. This was the first month I’d kept track and my initial target was £350 which was a wild guess really, so does it sound reasonable to other people? 

Two adults, vegetarian, no alcohol, no takeaways, all meals included. 

I’ve put next month’s target as £250, but I feel I need three months to get a clearer idea of my average. 

goldfinches

LiveSimply said:

I spent £257 for two of us. This was the first month I’d kept track and my initial target was £350 which was a wild guess really, so does it sound reasonable to other people? 

Two adults, vegetarian, no alcohol, no takeaways, all meals included. 

I’ve put next month’s target as £250, but I feel I need three months to get a clearer idea of my average. 

I'm also a vegetarian and budget £150 for all food, household items and basic toiletries which again doesn't include alcohol so I think you're doing very well. It just shows how living alone is more expensive even with batch cooking and a well stocked store cupboard.

C_J

goldfinches said:

There isn't a Morries around here so I can't comment on them but if I ever get the chance to have a nose around one of their branches I'll be looking at all the things you've mentioned here.

I like the Morries in Banbury, if you’re ever up that way. I think it’s our nearest one. There are a couple of Morrisons Daily (the little stores) in BBL and Botley but they wouldn’t have much of a range and are probably expensive.

sams247

C_J said:

I like the Morries in Banbury, if you’re ever up that way. I think it’s our nearest one. There are a couple of Morrisons Daily (the little stores) in BBL and Botley but they wouldn’t have much of a range and are probably expensive.

Oooh thats the one I go to!  I do like it but sometimes I wonder what happens in there as you get lots of water and mess on the floor.

I find the co-op has decent offers on occasion too.  I dont tend to do one big shop any more as I guage the prices of all the shops and basically try n buy the cheapest with no loyalty to any store.  

I tried out the Batch lady recipe for lasagne using the creme freche instead of the bechamel, and it was really nice, so thats one improvement for me in the future.  

My final spend of the month is £10 on the community food bringing my monthly total to £164.67, meaning I came in slightly under budget.  

remmie

Declaring this month a massive fail at £475.54, although a lot of food and stores wont be used until May, but I've included them as its money I've spent this month. 

Oh well,  onwards and upwards, see you all on the May thread.