May 2026 Grocery Challenge

K9sandFelines

I'm up with the elderly cat. So thought I'd post.

Officially over here now til 12 June

If I didn't post my budget @JingsMyBucket I'm trying again for £150 (£30 for bulk buys). I can't really raise it more than this. Even if sometimes I'm going over.

Last proper month now (or last but one) before I'm buying for one again now. Hopefully I can get it back down again when theres just me. As not just differing foods, but toiletries last longer too 🙃.

No birthdays this month either, so hopefully that helps also🤞🏼

Sallyp2

Done a sobering tally of May food spends

1 May Sains £85.85 - includes £80.56 card / £5.29 coinstar shrapnel / £16 wine box (not yet touched!)

5 May Coop - £4.86

6 May Coop - £ 34.23

6 May Tesco - £17.36

10 May Coop - £37.86 - includes ex vir olive oil - omg £

£180.16 spent

£129.84 left

Challenge is in balance but i'm doing my £50 cash cold turkey attempt this week starting today

Annoyed i brought the £16 wine box on impulse and its not been opened so wasn't needed … urgh!!!!!!!!!!!

Suffolk_lass

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993050#Comment_81993050

If it is only one cup, a S*bucks stainless steel beaker with a screw-top (even if it is for cold drinks) will keep your coffee hot for around four hours - mine (one of the originals, like this style you can still get on eBay) is well over ten years old

Just to add @Greying_Pilgrim Malt and CLO is not a new thing. My Mum used to buy it from the clinic where we got our childhood injections - a big jar of it and my sister and I were given a spoonful each, every day in winter, as she was concerned we needed to be protected against any more childhood diseases (we had had mumps, measles, German measles, chicken pox and whooping cough in the first three years at school - all after being vaccinated). We are talking 60+ years ago

TravelCrystal

Guests over for lunch yesterday so whilst I managed to get away with making things already in fridge or cupboards, decided on chocolate mousse for dessert so had to get chocolate. Non alcoholic drinks and a pizza for our lunch Saturday came to a total of £11.34 to add, Lidl and Asda were the culprits.
£106.45 spent so far this month

T.C

Suffolk_lass

Spent £7.80 this morning - milk and carrots, that I went for, plus YS chicken thighs £2.31 and baby corn £0.49. The almond croissants from the in-store bakery were delicious, £1.50 and definitely Treats and Entertainment budget. I should get two meals from the chicken thighs. I am happy with that!

That brings my total to £36.80 so far this month. Shopping from home I have made L&P soup for 3 lunches; we will have it with toast for lunch today (maybe tomorrow, and Wednesday). I do have one or two bread rolls left in the freezer, but I plan to bake bread tomorrow

Greying_Pilgrim

Thanks Suffolk_lass - I knew CLO and malt extract were given in schools, because I remember my dad telling me about it - he wasn't a fan 😆 Although I suspect that his was from a nutrition perspective, rather than a 'keeps you regular' perspective as he was in primary during the war and it's aftermath, so there wasn't a lot of food around. But I didn't realise that them being combined was a thing. Everyday's a school day 😁

Greying X

Sallyp2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81993938#Comment_81993938

Had a card service call to do in Sains today … I was so annoyed with myself for the mindless purchase of the £16 wine box that I returned it for a refund

Spend total is now £164.16

£145.84 remaining

Feeling happier

LotsOfTea

I spent £1.70 today on bananas and tomatoes from the garage on my way home from work. I could have done with a cucumber as well but there were none in the very small veg section. I'll hopefully have time to pop to a proper supermarket tomorrow to pick up a few other bits.

I'm up to £60.65/£300 so far.

carboot_karaoke

Morning all,

I nipped to Lidl yesterday to claim my free veg, a family pack of peppers, also brought a large block of cheese, a loaf of bread and a tin of kidney beans. I also brought 2 lidl pastries 🤭 but I'll pay for those myself. Total spent £6.37.

Grocery Budget £109.14 / £400

Bulk Fund £17.58 / £50

Grocery Challenge £ 126.72 / £450

Sallyp2

Suggestions for cheapest vs. quality vs. value golden syrup?

tate & lyle is the go to but so expensive