July 2025 Grocery Challenge

Pennypincin

I've gone over the budget this week and have lost track of the spending.

I've also had to use the bulk fund for other things.

I'm going to start again tomorrow, but budget £20 per month for the bulk fund as a separate amount, but also add what is hopefully left from the shopping budget.

I think writing a list may help, also not picking up bits daily or impulsive buys.

goldfinches

I've now tried the Giving Garage that you told me about @C_J and picked up two large loaves of nice M&S bread but sadly all the veg and fruit was gone by the time I got there 20 minutes after they opened so I'm not sure if I'll go back. It was also difficult to get to from here because of the road layout so maybe not, we'll see. But thankyou for telling me about it as I'd never otherwise have known it was there.

I've three spends to declare with the first being at Waitflower where I stocked up on Bold Beans jars which are on offer there for £2.60 per jar at the moment which is a great improvement over the £4 M*rks want so I bought 2x queen chickpeas, 1x butter beans and 1x white beans. I also bought 3x the Vadasz jalapeno relish I like because the dates were long enough for it to last me to the end of the month and that was on offer too. Then I also got a jar of preserved lemons, some reduced St Agur and a packet of bourbon biscuits because the weather had turned cold so ice pops weren't suitable for the Wednesday walking group outing.
Then the following day I did a stock up at Sains and bought white cabbage, loo rolls, 2x Fairy antibac and 3x tomatoes for a total of £12.39. And across the road at M*rks I spent £9.45 on milk, yoghurt, carrots, red onions, cheddar and 2x peppers.

That brings my main GC total to £25.13/£150, the Baking Budget to £2.10/£25 and the Bulk Buy Fund is now down to £45.60.

I've also made a couple of new recipes this week and can highly recommend this flatbreads one which was so delicious I scoffed the lot before I remembered to photograph them. I'm about to make them again because they were so delicious so will snap them then.

TravelCrystal

Just a quickie on the onion question. I buy both red onions and frozen onions. Tend to use the fresh for salads this time of the year and keep them in a wicker basket under the sink with the potatoes. I used the frozen for any cooked item and put in less than I would normally do. On a different tack, I have been making a batch of roast potatoes and generally reheat in the oven. Today I decided it was cheaper to reheat them in a bit of butter and olive oil in a pan with garlic and rosemary, cheaper than putting on the electric. 

They were delicious 

T.C

Soontobeoap

Thanks for the tip on the potatoes @TravelCrystal they sound delicious. I will definitely give them a try.

The problem with eating from stores and not much else I am finding is that I shop more often to get the little bits I need to complete the meal. We are still spending much less but it is easier to add things that you don't really need to your basket. Anyway I have just nipped to Aldi for some salad bits to have with lasagne. Did get a couple of reductions . Lettuce 60% off and cherry toms 30% off. Added 3 chicken breasts to give a bit of variety, A pack of custard for DH to have with the last half tin of cherrys. ( I was lazy not making it with the custard powder I have so that's 59p I could have saved) I will make cake tomorrow to stop him craving a shopping trip for sweet things.He asked me to buy a mixed pack of biscuits today so I spent £1.59 that I wish I hadn't!  £12.96 spent all together.

Naturelover22

Hello all,

£32.82 in Aldi today. Total for month now £106.03/£215

This was on
cat litter and food £7.37
milk 4pints, pepsi max, greek yogurt, bananas, pasta, breakfast biscuits, cereal bars, noodles, eggs, washing up gloves, bread.
Hoping to avoid popping in during the week. The fridge is very well stocked and I'm doing a week back on slimming world after my holiday. Plan to use everything up and not have much waste this week.

Onions, in a cloth bag under the stairs which hangs up, they last a long time. I have a separate larger bag for potatoes too.

carboot_karaoke

Evening all,

Today we had some friends round for lunch about 20 of us altogether. I've only just sat down after tidying up. The afternoon was a real success. Tons of food left, freezer is full as well. 

I have three spends to declare from the weekend, £72.16 for food & snacks for the coming week about £7 of the spend was on some high protein shakes and snacks currently on offer which weren't on my list. A further £35.90 on food for lunch today.  Also l brought some flowers £6 for a friend l visited. Total spent £114.06.

New totals 

Grocery Budget £237.98 / £450
Entertaining £64.37 / £120
Grand total £302.35 / £570

Seems very early in the month to be over the £300 mark!! yikes . However, lots in stock to use up so just need to stay away from the shops until the end of the week. 

t14cy_t

collected lots of goodies from my olio lady yesterday, lots of things we wouldnt normally eat but its good to get creative and try new things!! mainly veggie inspired things. trying to cut down on our meat consumption but we do love meat!! made non duck wraps last week and they were a real hit!! so no spends over the weekend. 

Changeyourlife25

£359.66/£600 

Another £1.49 on a jar of pasta sauce 

Suffolk_lass

Changeyourlife25 said:

Nelliegrace said:

I do feel for you @Changeyourlife25, I remember Mum buying and extra loaf just for my teenage brother and he would tear it into big pieces and eat it plain. 

🤣🤣🤣 That sounds about right, great idea from your mum though! I might try it! 

I remember sitting in a pushchair, eating the inside of a sandwich loaf on the walk home from the bakery - well it was warm! - one of my earliest memories! Mum stuffed the shell with vegetables, lots of potaotes and some gravy, and we had that for two or three dinners (I am told)

wishus

Need to report a couple of week 2 spends.
I needed biscuits and a few bits so spent £5.29 in Al** on Saturday, determined to do a full shop on Sunday after doing the meal plan and list, however on Sunday I ran out of time, but found eggs, a sandwich and bag of salad in the corner shop with stickers, spending £1.53. Finally got round to do the week shop today and spent £22.88.

This brings me up to £74.07 spent, £75.93 remaining.

Meal plan:  (Friday we are out for dinner)
Creamy chicken and tarragon pasta again (a hit)
Sausage and mash
beetroot penne (with goats cheese)
Salmon and potatoes
chickpea dahl and rice
Sunday roast (after shopping for the roast)