June 2026 Grocery Challenge

RedRose61

Hi, I’m a longtime lurker. I’ve followed these threads and learnt so much from everyone. I’ve managed to cut down and reduce my food waste significantly since following along with MSE. Please could I join the challenge for June? We’re two retired adults with an active social life and family visiting us in rural Wales.

Please could I start with 300?

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice in your posts. Lot’s of amazing people on here. X

Sallyp2

found the pantry challenge thread from summer '25 … worth reading for inspiration

I have about a month’s worth of food in my cupboards and freezer. I should probably keep it in case I loose my job but in the interest of food hygiene I’m going to eat it all up so my cupboard is bare.

For people who don’t know how to do a pantry challenge the challenge is to save money on your food bill by only buying fresh ingredients and eating up what’s in your cupboard and freezer. It helps with stock rotation. Don’t try this if your cupboards are already bare.

Pantry challenge - Page 6 — MoneySavingExpert Forum

PipneyJane

@JingsMyBucket my apologies, but we had £15.30 left from May, so please increase my June budget to

£195.30

Many thanks,

Pip

Soontobeoap

@Sallyp2 thank you for thread. It is very interesting. I couldn't do a pantry challenge in July as GC all descend for different weeks holidays. I am thinking however that a kind of pantry/ fridge/ freezer challenge would be a good idea this month. Thank you for the inspiration.

Sallyp2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82016121#Comment_82016121

pleasure

it's not my thread though - found it by scrolling down older threads. The courgette tomato & ricotta lasagne sounds yummy & cheap

i agree with you that a pantry fridge freezer challenge would be good for June

Suffolk_lass

@Sallyp2 I just wanted to offer my solution to the "can't afford Clarins" situation - I like the light, non-greasy Clarins products too but I now use the No7 Future Renew serum in the mornings, followed by the Protect and Perfect Day Cream, and just the Future Remew Damage reversal night cream (I used to use the Protect and Perfect Night Cream when I was at your stage). I really don't like the heavy, greasy Day cream from the Future Renew range so I use it on my feet now, just to use up what I already bought.

Like you, it is now outside my GC budget, which only includes toiletries and cosmetics if bought in the SM. With Mr SL's toothpaste and an annual multi-buy, when they are on offer, it works for me.

I like the look of a pantry challenge but would never empty mine. I do a version where I review the dates though, to prioritise use-it-ups

Sallyp2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82016373#Comment_82016373

bizarrely i brought a no7 day cream a few weeks ago. Lift & luminate. I tried all the samples - very good value. The cream was £30 but the clarins one i wanted is £70. So far its a swap

K9sandFelines

Same as usual for.me.please @JingsMyBucket

£120 groceries/£30 bulk buys

Many thanks🙏🏻

K9sandFelines

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82013344#Comment_82013344

If I added my pet spends on top of my grocery budget, it would be double if not more, and there would still be only me next month. So that's why some people's budget look very different.

Also, free from foods and teenage appetites can definitely bump up the spends. Not to mention toiletries. Just generally going through more of everything!

Soontobeoap

Starting June by being extremely frugal hopefully.

The sausage and egg pie was better than I had remembered. I did not have the whole meal flour so made the hairy bikers suet pastry recipe and it was even better so will stick with that in future. I have religiously written a meal plan for next week from the freezer and store cupboard so I should only need essentials this week.🤞

Tomorrow - sweet and sour chicken

Monday - cabonnara and garlic bread made with half baguette in freezer

Tuesday - gammon, new pots, peas and sweet corn

Wednesday - gammon and mushroom omelette

Thursday - scampi and chips with peas

Friday - chicken noodles

Saturday - lamb hot pot

Sunday is my birthday a big one with a 0 on the end. I am being taken out to dinner with the whole family.

First week sorted. 🙂