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Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.June 2026 Grocery Challenge
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I didn’t even know that L!dl sold filtered milk, @Greying_Pilgrim ! Check out the price, though, it might work out well for your budget since filtered milk keeps for considerably longer than fresh.
On the usefulness of their coupons, I think L!dl’s main algorithm pushes out whatever they have in surplus/bought cheap, and isn’t based on what you purchase most. Some of the vouchers we get totally mystify me. However, every week we get at least 5 coupons, so I always activate them since I never know if we might possibly buy that weird item.
It’s probable that we only qualified for the £5-off voucher because DH volunteered for Ice Cream Duty at work during last week’s heatwave, so pushed us over a cumulative spend threshold. (They have a L!dl nearby.) I am not counting his spends in the GC.
- PIp
"Be the type of woman that when you get out of bed in the morning, the devil says 'Oh crap. She's up.'
It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it - that’s what gets results!
2026 Fashion on the Ration Challenge 28 spent out of 80.5 coupons (66 plus 14.5 from 2025) 52.5 remain
12 coupons - yarn
12 coupons - 3 M&S thermal bodies
4 coupons - shorty pyjamas5 -
Whereas I seem to get vouchers and offers the day after I have shopped for the items I bought, but all with very short use by dates that just don't work for us
Save £12k in 2026 #2 I have banked £9004.48 so far, against a £10k target The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2026 I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026 - currently £1111.79 and most of my May purchasing made
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here6 -
Morning all,
I agree about Lidl panicking @PipneyJane
I have received two vouchers from Lidl this week a free bakery item and a save £5 on a £40 spend.
In truth, l wasn't planning to go to Lidl but i'm sure l can find £40 worth of necessary purchases to benefit from the discount.
Current Balance £7,675
MFW 2026 #31 £15325 / £23,000 OP
MFIT - T7
Emergency Fund £4,410 / £5,000
0%CC May 2027- £5,000
0% Loan £600.00 - paid ✅️
Money made £210.60 / £365
Declutter 42 /52
Grocery Challenge 2025 £4885.78
Grocery Challenge 2026 Jan £328.20, Feb £297.01 Mar £352.91 April £422.85
The final countdown to June 2026 - Page 4 — MoneySavingExpert Forum7 -
@joedenise Thank you - and yes, from what I have read online it’s used mostly for salad dressings and is not an oil you can use for frying as it becomes bitter. It can be used in baking, and is apparently great in chocolate brownies. I may try that 😊. Once opened the bottle should be kept in the fridge to prevent it going off.
https://woodkitchen.wordpress.com/2015/02/12/walnut-oil-brownies/
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But I didn't think the 'spend thresholds' existed anymore? 🤔 I think I've passed the equivalent of 'free bakery item', but not quite at free veg if they did?
The filtered milk on the offer is semi-skimmed - we use full-fat, and at the moment, we use what I buy. If we get to the point of the milk turning before we use it then I'd consider smaller cartons first. But the milk on offer was their own brand….. 'Dairy Manor' (?) Looking v much like the crav3n daLe packaging……… 😉
I'm surprised our store isn't panicking - there is an aldee within a few hundred yards and a Sainsbugs. The other leedl has aldee, t3sc0, and a morries nearby - so plenty of competition. With the 'price matching' I have need to be loyal to leedl less and less - although there are a few things I prefer from them, as there are things that I only buy in aldee, and only in Sains etc etc.
Greying X
Grocery Spend June 2026 £74.03/£225
GC May 2026 £225.53/£200
GC April 2026 £199.95/£200
Non-food spend June 2026 £20.29/£80
Bulk Fund 2026 Month 6/12 - £9.98/£87.56 (reducing balance - start £120 pa)
""Mother Nature don't draw straight lines
The broken moulds in a grand design
We look a mess but we're doing fine
We're card carrying lifelong members
Of the union of different kinds..."
"Union of the Different kinds" - R Christie & T Gilbert, Fisherman's Friends3 -
We are all SM trollops these days I think. Far less loyalty to one brand of SM. I know I use three as well @Greying_Pilgrim
Save £12k in 2026 #2 I have banked £9004.48 so far, against a £10k target The 2026 Save £12k in 2026 thread is here
OS Grocery Challenge in 2026 I am sticking with a £3000 annual budget for 2026 - currently £1111.79 and most of my May purchasing made
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the grow your own in 2026 discussion thread
My keep within our budget diary is here6 -
Few more spends to declare;
Asian supermarket £10.60
Tesco £4.34
Riverford £39.60
Total £177.79 / £500
Fashion on the Ration 2026 - 38/66 coupons used
Make £2026 in 2026 - £227.48 / £600
April grocery challenge £611.55 / £620
May grocery challenge £558.34 / £550
June grocery challenge £177.79 / £5006 -
First spend of the month at A!di and M@rrisons.
£13.28 at A!di on tinned tuna, sardines, picnic stuff for a weekend in Cardiff visiting DS2 and cleaning products. I’ve included cleaning products and toiletries in my £300 monthly budget.
£42.06 at M@rrisons on fruit and veg, milk and all essentials for my weeks meal plans. We’re away for two nights and so eating out on those evenings. I’m taking my cold box for a picnic on the way. Y/S chocolate biscuit bars for snacks, Y/S chicken thighs, Y/S cooked chicken for sandwiches, Y/S jacket potatoes. I’ve divided the chicken thighs into two and they will do two meals. Popped them in the freezer for now but at £ 2.72 for four portions, I’m happy with that.
Total to date £55.34 out of £300 budget.It’s great to be joining the thread and keeping myself accountable. Have a great afternoon everyone.
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Hello All 😊
First shop for June at Lidl - I’ve been saving any points to use later in the year as a back up plan. Going to use chicken pieces out of freezer this weekend for a cheeky roast and then mainly veggie meals. Made some energy balls from dates, oats, cocoa and desiccated coconut - surprisingly tasty.
Spend £49.25/£175
Balance £125.75
Lidl - carrots, coconut milk, oat milk, def coffee, new potatoes, baking potatoes, rice, tissues, desiccated coconut, broccoli, salad, sweet potato, celery, oranges, butter, Greek yogurt, cheese, mushrooms, crackers, chilli sauce, dates, cranberries, blueberries, grapes, apples, kiwi, asparagus, bananas, tomatoes, avocado, eggs and bagels.
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DH went to Aldi whilst I was at crib tonight. Bought tomatoes lettuce and wraps that we needed then added crisps and sweets! £9.25 spent.
GC 2022 = £3154.96 , 2023 = £3334. 84 2024 = £.3221.81 , 2025 = £3974.24 . 2026 £1214.38/£3500, June £47.27/£250
Decluttering campaign. 2026. 30 /74 storage places, book cases, drawers cupboards and sheds. Also tidying / clearing front and back gardens , giving bathroom and kitchen a bit of a spruce up. Me🏅🏅🏅🏅⭐⭐⭐ ⭐DH🏅🏅🏅
Make £600 in 2026 = £412.59
NSD in May = 18 NSD June 1/155
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