March 2008 Grocery Challenge

cuddlymarm

Hi everybody:hello:

Can I join again this month?
I've managed to stay within budget for the last 2 months and we go on holiday next month and bills seem to be coming from all directions at the moment so money is extremely tight:eek: so I'm going to try for £50 per week.

Good luck everyone

Cuddles:rotfl:

mumzyof2

Spent £0 so far but might take kids mc donalds....so will add this if i do

nimbo

Can i join in???

i'd love to aim for £200 (it's just me) and i know this is bad, but if i manage less then it will be a nice suprise...

hk_chick

Hi, I'm going to give this a go, as I overspend horribly on food each month & end up wasting a lot of it by throwing it away (tendency is to buy too much, then it goes off as it's just me to eat it all!)

put me down for £120 please. I'm planning to then shave it down from there

In January when things were *really* bad, I managed to stretch £10 over 2 weeks just before getting some work (locuming at the moment, no garunteed income) It was a choice between food & having electricity/fuel to get to jobs) so I know I could be good at this if I work on it!!

thanks :j

earthmother

ANY_CHANCE wrote: »

:hello: Helloooo

Just wondering where can i get help to budget for my weekly shop. I usually spend around £120 p/w for 2 adults and 3 children but i have to cut down the cost. What could i cut it down to? I also need help with ideas of what to feed everyone on a small budget

any help would be appreciated

thanks AC

My budget is for 2 adults and 3 children. My 'official' budget is £60-£70 per week when we're on our full organic and additive-free diet, although in recent months that has been curtailed because of various other bills - I think this month should be the first I manage to do under my 'declared' budget, but I have made several concessions to achieve this. I don't include nappies or toiletries in this challenge as I get them in bulk (cost about £10 each per week though due to various allergies etc on the toiletry side).

All I can say is echoing earlier replies - meal plan, use the OS board plenty, and just try to work out where your extra spends are going - ours often went on treats - trips to the local bakery (I gained pounds when I first moved here thanks to that place, lol), that reduced/bargain whatever that you didn't really need or want for that matter, and so on.

It seems hard when you start, but once you get into the flow, it's not that bad.

Bobbykins

weemissy wrote: »

Just a thought - probably a really silly question but do you all include take aways and/or meals out in your budget? We don't do this much but just wondered
thanks

Hi weemissy and welcome! I've noticed no-ones had chance to answer your question yet (this thread is getting busier and busier every day,it moves SO quickly it's hard to keep up!) so, I think everyone budgets slightly differently, there aren't any hard and fast rules. I, for example, don't include dog food, meals out and milk in my budget as OH pays for those, but I DO include all my toiletries, cleaning stuff etc, which some people don't.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is....it's up to you!:D

anyway, whatever you decide, good luck with it

scotsaver

Please put me down for £300 for March, this is for myself, OH and 2 daughters - am I correct in thinking that I call them something like DD1 and DD2? This is all new to me so still trying to pick things up. I have been watching in the wings for a while and finally plucked up the courage to join in so please bear with me. I think this forum is just awe inspiring and I have written down loads of the recipes and tips. I always have cooked my own meals, baked cakes and bread etc but there are loads of things I have picked up from here and starting to put into practice. I have already spent £97.20 of my budget as my month runs from 27th to 27th (payday), spent in Asda, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Aldi's and Lidl's but both freezers are now almost full thanks to large beef joint half price in Somerfield, duck in Sainsbury's half price which I thought would come in handy Easter Sunday when we have friends over and loads of other bits that should see us through for a while so confident that I can come in on budget. Anyway, I think that's enough waffle for now - thanks to everyone again for all the tips etc and I'm chuffed to have finally been brave enough to join in.

oldMcDonald

How on earth can this thread be on page 7 already?

Budget for March £280

This is for food, cleaning and basic household type stuff for 2 adults, 5 kids and 2 dogs.

I know it looks like I have got hold of the wrong end of the stick, as my monthly budget seems to be going up each time, but I have 3 birthday parties and Easter to cater for, so it has to be higher this month!

mrs-moneypenny

im in for £400 for march, that for 3 adults 3 kids that eat like horses (well 2 vegans, and 3 veggies and one who eats anything but is mostly veggie round the house) a cat 2 mice and a couple of fish

meanmarie

Had my first March spend to-day, €80.33 in Lidl, leaving me €269.67 for the rest of the month....taking every day as it comes this month as I seem to get my knickers in a knot and spend wildly if I am not careful.

Good luck to all

Marie