May 2008 Grocery Challenge

BigMummaF

I know what you mean Kazz--because we're supposed to be in the 'affluent' part of the world, we have to pay extortionate prices. My cousin oop norf has proper markets alongside a huge variety of supermarket chains, & she couldn't believe the difference in food prices down here:mad:

Welcome SuziQ...planning to Can The Can on this challenge:p ? There's no reason for you not to post your questions/recipes/spends while you wait to decide your budget. Maybe you have a figure in mind--say £80pw--that you could use as a starting point for this month, then it's just a question of adjusting it as & when you feel the need.
Personally, my budget includes as much as is possible....because it has to:o I put money up for the milkman, window cleaner & any bits like Kleen-better-eezee-ware that I may succumb to. In this last challenge, I had a good bit of clothing from MrT for an offspring's b'day next month & ink refill for the printer.
As an aside, have you checked out the Pets Thread for possible HM meals for the pusses? Our Pup has stuff like liver & mince...usually the same as we have but without onion....& turns his nose up at the bit of dried stuff we keep in for training:D
Good Luck tho, & welcome to the throng!

Oohh MummyGems...did you really think you could get away with blase "having a baby" & not give details Many Congratulations on the New Arrival & nice to have you back.

Have a good holiday Kiwi--altho it's nice to have someone else worry about the menu & washing up, I still prefer the freedom of self-catering. I wouldn't ever be ready in the mornings to have breakfast & probably like where I'm visiting to be back in time for dinner:p

Sounds like you've been thru the wringer Kitty--hope your recovery is swift:o

Sometimes we can forget that--in all reality--this challenge is just a bit of fun. OK it helps keep us focused on an important part of our daily lives, but it's not the be all & end all. Quite a few of us have faced adversity these past few weeks, and it's just comforting to know that the rest of us are all here to lend a helping hand. Thanks Guys, for just being you.x

savingfortravel

BIGMUMMAF for Prime Minster....Great Speech m'dear.

SFT

razra

well my parents have left and as predicted they ate loads whilst they were here, however the beef went down well, I used up the last of the tatties and my mom went and bought bread and milk so I didn't spend any money all weekend:T and I still have way too much stuff in as we didn't eat anything out of the freezer other than the beef

On the plus side we managed to knock down the old coal shed so I now have more potio space so will need to plant a few more things out to fill the gap:D However I ache from head to toe (took me and my dad all day yesterday to knock it down and move all the bricks) and I have a huge bruise on my hand (forgot the pink bits were mine and really should not be wacked with a big hammer:o) so may not be able to do much till next weekend. Cant believe how much bigger the garden now looks and how much brighter the kitchen now is (the coal shed was right in front of the window)

Just need to decide what to do with all the bricks that we didn't get time to take to the tip, I'm thinking a new raised veggie patch ready for next year:D possibly even 2 if I can squeeze them in somewhere.
Will try and take some before and after piccys if anyone is interested.

Any hoo 1 more week left for me on Mays budget so will update next friday and Im still doing ok:D
Hugs to those that need them

mumzyof2

I have spent today in netto:

reduced banana's 25p
orange cordial 2ltr 45p
widlife choob yogurts 92p
sliced ham 59p
milk £1.30 (OMG) (i ran out of milk tokens so had to buy it and did not know milk was expensive)

Total £3.51

mikeD

Kaz2904 wrote: »

It's bad really, but I think we pay higher because we're in a popular tourist area and Mr M is the first supermarket off the motorway. TTFN, Kaz.

Funny you should say that Kaz. We don't have a Mr M near us, but we spent a week's holiday near Bude last month and there was a Mr M near where we were staying. As the hol was self catering our DS2 took us there and I thought their prices were somewhat higher than our Mr T where I normally shop, although they did have a few good bogofs and discounts. Can't complain though as DS" paid for most of it :T.

BigMummyF: You posted -
Sometimes we can forget that--in all reality--this challenge is just a bit of fun.
Oh no it isn't for some of us it's really a serious business.

Also you said -
OK it helps keep us focused on an important part of our daily lives, but it's not the be all & end all.
Oh yes it is, it can be the difference between a full tummy and feeling hungry.

Well done Mummygems, we hope your new arrival brings you great joy.

Have had a few NSD's this week but must have a grocery delivery next week but I have high hopes of keeping to budget. :beer:

Congats to those who have finished their month in the black and commiserations to those that haven't. Good luck to the rest of you.

victory

So much for a nsd, got bored and went to look for the whoopsies:rolleyes: lots of BBQ meat marinated, bread,cakes odd and sods nothing I could have not lived without but I was bored with the rain and watching rubbish tele:D still got to go until friday so shouldn't have but nearly at the total now:rolleyes:

tiptoes

Hi all.

I'm hoping to join in the GC next month. I have become increasingly aware of the amount of food I sem to be throwing away and think that sticking to a buget many focus my shopping habits. For the past few weeks, I've been meal planning and trying to not impluse buy. I'm also working onmy cooking skills as lost a lot of my confidence in the kitchen while living with my ex.

There is myself, DD12 and DS9,Both very fussy eaters. I'm thinking of a buget of £200, this is to include all food, toiletries and household items. Do you think this is right for a family of three or too much?

I tend to do a big store cupboard stock up at the beginning of the month and then buy F&V and other perishable items weekly.

mummygems

BigMummaF wrote: »

Oohh MummyGems...did you really think you could get away with blase "having a baby" & not give details Many Congratulations on the New Arrival & nice to have you back.

Ahh thank you. I had a little girl (daughter no. 2) on 22 April and we named her Zoe, she weighed 7lbs 6ozs. She is a little pickle compared to her big sister in the sleep department but I am trying to sort out my meal plans still. I suppose I could do these in the middle of the night when I am up lol.

MikeD thank you for your message too.

Now I must budget and stay within said budget each month (so we can start saving for their weddings :rotfl: ).

belfastgirl23

Just back to report in on my spend for the month. Against a target of £130 I've racked up a spend of £130.16 which I'm pretty pleased about. I think I might have to up my target for June to reflect both higher food prices and the fact that my summer food bills are always higher than winter. In addition to which next month the footie is on and I always end up cooking for lots of extra people. Will post the target on the other thread anyway. Hope you're all doing okay!

Keeping_Positive

mummygems wrote: »

Ahh thank you. I had a little girl (daughter no. 2) on 22 April and we named her Zoe, she weighed 7lbs 6ozs. She is a little pickle compared to her big sister in the sleep department but I am trying to sort out my meal plans still. I suppose I could do these in the middle of the night when I am up lol.

MikeD thank you for your message too.

Now I must budget and stay within said budget each month (so we can start saving for their weddings :rotfl: ).

:T :j Congratulations Mummygems :j :T