January 2026 Grocery Challenge

loubudgets1

Can I please join in, or am I too late? 
I normally budget £100 a week, so £5200 for the year, but last month I went very over budget. If I'm being honest, this is happening more and more frequently. This is for 2 adults, 1 teenager, who eats more than I do! and a 10 year old. Pet food treats like dental chews are included but not the main pet food as I get that in bulk from Pets at Home. Toiletries and cleaning/household products are included. I am going to try and come in under budget most weeks as I am planning on pulling my Friday fiver challenge money from the grocery budget. Lou. 

Blackcats

@loubudgets1 - it's never too late to join in!  There's great info at the beginning of the thread.  I found it really helpful to track each and every spend over a couple of months to get a realistic idea of actual grocery expenditure.  I'd been fooling myself by neglecting to include little bits and bobs.

i'm going to set a budget of £350 this month but I want to spend less than this by using up freezer stuff, having more veggie meals and a regular soup and pud night.  I'm also not drinking alcohol this month so although I'm buying nice alcohol free drinks this will still be cheaper than NZ sav Blanc 🙃
I will use any underspend to stock up on toiletries in February.

£350 for me please.  (A big £0 spent so far)

oceandreamer

First spend of the year today. Needed milk and some veg for soup to use up ttd stick from a ham at new year. Also stocked up on coffee beans so 

£13.10/£200

JingsMyBucket

Mr. Jings biked to M & S to get a few items (and magically didn’t buy anything  expensive or off the list!). £4.00 spent on bananas, apples, and cream. 

Shopping budget £26.39 / £250 spent. £223.61 remaining. 

Bulk / party Fund £0.00  / £50

Total £26.39 / £300 spent. £273.61 remaining. 

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I’ll add the new GC members to the list in the morning. 🙂 Have a good night, everyone. 

VickyV

So, big shop after the hols… ugh. 

I’ve included some provisions picked up from the world’s most expensive services (£21.70) then spent £6.74 in HB, £80.61 in Aldee, then £26.43 in Sainsbugs. I have picked up enough ingredients for meals for the week, and hopefully portions of evening meals for a few days next week, plenty of soups and scones for lunches, cakes for snacks and treats. Fingers crossed that saves me some money next week! 

Total stands at £195.48/£600. Scary number for day 1 of the challenge! 

Vicky x

RedLipstick

@ShelivesintheShire Welcome to the forum! Love the operation "use it up", it's happening here as well! I've had some questionable food combinations this week but glad to be using stuff up!

Had a friend at mine for lunch today and had to get some fresh ingredients so that's £6.09 spent. Normally we go out for lunch so it was a lovely change. I took £100 from the ATM this morning to see if it helps me plan or budget better. I always shop with a list and that helps a lot, though I'm bad at planning dinners in advance so I do multiple runs to the shop during the week. Will keep using my phone for tapping on the bus etc when I'm back at work. I will see for how long I can go with £100 cash. Any cash budgeting ideas welcome! 

Currently £6.09/£200

Jojo77_2

Hi , I'd like to join please. I'm new to all this but do track my spends. 

I'd like to start with a budget of £600 for January 

This is for 3 adults (md DH and DD aged 17) mainly but my DS is also at home for 2 weeks before heading back to Uni. 

Thanks 

whitecatcreamsofaDOH

A couple of smaller shops on the second, and a larger one yesterday, have come to a much higher total than I was expecting.

£91.32/£450

A few household items had ran out, and all were cheaper to buy in bulk (loo rolls, laundry detergent, shampoo), but that still only covers £30ish of an £80ish grocery shop. Way above what I normally spend for two adults and a dictator (cat). Also no receipt available at the self scan till so I can’t review it and see where I’ve gone over. 

On the plus side I meal planned for the rest of the month from tomorrow so hoping that will make a difference 🙂 

Christa27

First shop of the year yesterday @ Mr T £129.33,
On the menu this week:
lasagna 
fajitas 
chicken broth and rice 
basa and rice 
pukka pies (I won’t be home so quick dinner for the fam to sort out) 
fish for oh and prawn curry with rice for the rest of us
Running total £129.33/£400
3 adults, 1 teen 

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
Realised I needed a couple of bits so £12.73/£150 so far
While I was there I picked up a couple of packs of yellow stickered pitta bread which are now in the freezer.
Mini sausage rolls and dip for lunch from the Xmas leftovers. I bought frozen ones this year so no waste.
Veg chilli for tea with peppers, tomatoes and spring onions which I had frozen for later. 

Very little waste in this house 😀