September 2025 Grocery Challenge

C_J

Thank you @JingsMyBucket for stepping in to provide cover and get September started. These grocery challenges are important in so many ways, not simply a place for people to record their spending but a true community where people swap ideas, and can find reassurance and support. Food prices are increasing at a scary rate, and we all need plenty of help to stay on track.

Please put me down for £150 again this month. This will be split between my grocery, toiletries and household spends at £100, and dog food at £50. I am starting off with a full fridge, freezer and cupboards and I visit a couple of Community Larders regularly each week so I’m hoping to keep the spending quite low in September. I may need inspiration for turning ingredients into interesting dishes though, and will really welcome everyone’s input.

JingsMyBucket

Budgets updated to here. 

AnotherNewDay

Hi @JingsMyBucket thanks so much for setting up the September thread

I'm going to keep same overall target of £115 split as £45 for 2 ravenous cats and £70 for human groceries, household and toiletries.

First spend for September as follows: £4.99/£45 for cats and £10.13/ £70 for human groceries, household + toiletries.

Suffolk_lass

JingsMyBucket said:

You're welcome @Suffolk_lass. What's your annual budget? Maybe I can try updating the totals for people this time around. 

Mine's correct at £3000 (+£500 contingency if I need it). It's been £3000 for about 3-4 years now but it does look as though I will exceed it this year. My planned low spend for August went a bit to pot, and my two thirds of the year total is £135.07 more than two thirds of the money! (Where is that blue screechy emoji when you need it!?).

wishus

Thanks so much, @JingsMyBucket

I'm doing £150 again this month 

I've got to include the cat food subscription,  £11.75, and the first shop is done too £30.96.

This means £42.71 already spent, £107.29 remaining. 


Love and good vibes to @elsiepac xx

remmie

Thank you Jingsmybucket, I also hope elsiepac is okay.

Off to do my first shop of the month today, will report back later.

£300 for me please

TheCheerleader

Thanks Jingsmybucket, echoing other’s sentiments for elsiepac.
I followed along with a spending diary without joining last month with a budget of £200 for 3 adults, including cleaning and toiletries.
I went over by £18.51 hoping to get it in budget this month.
I would love to join you all, £200 for me please.

themsthebreaks

Thank you @JingsMyBucket

My budget for September is £400

We have a birthday this month, so I’ve allocated slightly more for a picky tea on the day 😊

Changeyourlife25

£600 for me please 

I’ve done the past two months gc but didn’t get in the list. Could I be added please? Thanks for the new thread, I wondered where it was, I hope @elsiepac is ok? 

Last couple months I’ve done a lot better but really want to try and get as low as possible this month, I really need to get my backside into gear , being lower on the gc will get me to use up more of what we have at home, also I can use the money saved towards debt free and other savings challenges that I’ve got going on at the moment. Past few months I’ve been doing so much better with budget in general, all areas not just the gc.
 I’m going to use this September to bring it all into line! Let’s go! 💪😍

TravelCrystal

Thank you so much @JingsMyBucket for this thread. Hope @elsiepac is ok.

Please put me down for £350 this month.

Going to be an expensive month as last holiday of the year coming up at the end of the month. Covers my birthday while we are away and I am doing no cooking, only 4 nights so shouldn’t be too expensive. Famous last words 🤣

Just back from the shops 
Had a voucher in the post from Mr T, obviously missing me as I haven’t been for ages.
Needed some items for a Chinese I’m doing next Sunday and Lidls don’t have everything.
Didn’t read back of voucher so didn’t get a discount, oh well needed the litre bottle of sherry which was £10.75 which I thought was good value. I also use it in risotto’s so should last a while.
Total spend at Mr T £16.59

Popped to Asda Saturday, ran out of milk and easy peelers £1.59

Lidl’s today Fruit and veg, cheese, milk, yogurt x4 as reduced on app, free cake, eggs, both mint and horseradish sauce, cream cheese and tomato puree. £25.46

Total spend so far £43.64/£350

Good luck everyone for September 

T.C