May 2008 Grocery Challenge

angelatgraceland

Bargain_Rzl wrote: »

Hi angel, I assume the above is in response to somebody asking about how best to budget for 5-week months, but I couldn't find where the question had been asked. Anyway, if anybody's interested, the way I cope with a 5-week month is to budget weekly to begin with, even though I get paid monthly

Alternatively if your monthly budget is tighter than mine (I don't mean actual amount, I mean if there's nothing to spare outside of the grocery budget) you could do it a slightly different way, with the same result. Rather than saying "I need £20 a week, how much do I need per month to allow for that?" you could say "I have x amount per month, what does that give me per week as an even split over the year?" So, let's say you have £260 a month and not a penny more, you say £260 x 12 / 52 = £60. So you have £60 per week, every week, regardless of the length of the month. So in a 4-week month you give yourself a budget of £240, and in a 5-week month you give yourself a budget of £300. Then your budget is consistent throughout the year.

I hope that's of use to somebody who might not have thought of doing it that way, and I hope I've explained it clearly!

*Actually, every 5-6 years there is technically such a thing as a 53-week year. That's because there are 365 days in the year, not 364, so it doesn't divide evenly by 52. In a 53-week year there are 5 x 5-week months in the year rather than 4 - in other words, if you organise your budgeting based on the calendar year, and January 1st falls on a Friday one year, and your budgetary week starts on a Friday, that gives you a 53-week year because 31st December will also be on a Friday. I would plan that into the budget at the start of the year.

Hi
Well my response wasnt directly regarding any particular post-just that people in general seem to find the 5 week month a problem so it just seemed right to post the suggestion.
Basically I follow your method quoted above except that while I don't particularly "need" to go by a specific amount for my grocery budget at present, I know that I will in the near future so I think its good to be trained before the time comes. As I also hate waste and excessive spending I also like to follow this even though some would argue its not necessary(for me) but thats just me! Having no idea last month of what my budget should be as Ive had a few months of "not counting" I totalled up all of my spending last month and was just careful. It came to approx £86 pw so Ive set my totals for this month to £75 per week and regardless of how many weeks in the month it personally does not affect me. When I was reliant on my budget fitting around my monthly salary though I did estimate the yearly amount I could afford and divided it as you suggest. Whatever your circumstances there is always a way to calculate that is best for you. Anyway-I totally agree with the part you quoted above-I think that works well!

chocolateteddy

Sharon_1970 wrote: »

How do you slice HM bread evenly? I either have wafer thin or doorsteps

I also have an electric knife My mum used it to carve the chicken with But it is great although I find the warm bread harder to slice I usually wait for 10 mins or so but if you are patient and careful you can get even and reasonable size slices (having said that I had holey ones today bread was fresh out of oven and I couldn't wait!!!!!!!!!)

angelatgraceland

Tashja wrote: »

Off to update siggy in a mo

Got Sadies milk which was £7.96.

I also got loads of whoopsies but most of these are going to reduce the monthly shop from the CB so am I ok to take them out of that budget ???

So whoopsies bought -

24 pouches of Felix cat food £3.00
8 pints of milk - 62p
3 pots of Houmous - 33p
2 yoghurts (for yoghurt cake) 18p
Cereal 70p
Cereal 62p
3 muller yoghurts 51p
4 Quiches 48p
pot of taramasalata 21p

= £6.65

The cat food covers next month though so needs to come out ofthat budget - I won't need anymore as we have some in still. Also I am going to freeze the milk so I have less to buy there too and the cereal is enough for next month.

So do I class myself as over budget for this week or can I take the money from next month

Sorry to confuse matters

T xx

Well while I personally would say I was over budget its really up to you and which method you wish to follow. As long as you remember to take it from next months budget then it doesnt matter. Just make sure that if you do use any of the items before the month then to add that to the spend. As long as you keep a few notes and are vigilant it will work for you.

In_Search_Of_Me

Just popping in to update yesterdays spend (see sig!) and that should be it for a week! Will try & keep up but as others have said its a fast moving thread!!

zarazara

i wish i could join in this budget but everythings mad at present, i save a little and OH goes and buys something we "need" apparently.its driving me mad.theres just NOTHING left at the end of every month and i'm juggling cards.

ifonlyitwaseasier

let me know if it works, PPM, i'm making that my weekly bake, alongside bread and twinks hobnobs!

tylersbabe

pennypinchingmum wrote: »

Cheers, i'm really chuffed someones tried it already, I'm planning on trying to adapt it to make a sweet bread tomorrow, i'm thinking about replacing sugar with huney and herbs and cheese with spices and raisins, i'll let you know how it goes... unless it's rubbish and then i'll just forget all about it!

Oh that sound lovely
Am looking forward to you us all telling if this works out

Will be making your savory version on Thursday so if your new version works out I feel a more baking coming on.
Oh and it will satave off my sweet tooth as I am on the no spending for a week challenge and have none of MrsM's courgette muffins left and can't buy courgettes :eek:

Tashja

Thank you Angelatgraceland

I have added it to the weeks budget and still have a bit left It sent me in to a panick but all ok now !!!

T xx

leonlala

hi all:D
popped in to up date signature, had a small spend of £2.27 today.
planning to get to town tomorrow to get to the market for fruit and veg, and some bacon and sausages from the butchers. will have to get the bus in as oh at work. this is if ds is feeling ok. (bit under the weather today).
had hm pizzas today but because i wasn't organised (ended up staying at playgroup) made it with a quick pizza base, from Rose Elliot 'Cheap and Easy'

225g /8oz self raising flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard ( only had non powder mustard )
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
50g /2oz butter
40g/11/2 grated cheese
150 ml/1/4 pt milk and water (i just used milk)
serves 4-6 ( you'd need a side dish for this. this feed 2 adults and two kids on its own. )
oven 220oc/425 of/gas mark 7,
sift flour, baking pwd and mustard ( i just stirred mustard in ) then add butter and rub in add milk and grated cheese and mix to a soft but not sticky dough ( oil on hands help it not stick to hands) on floured surface lightly knead then roll out to fit large baking tin or round pizza dish. !!!!! all over. pop in oven for 10 mins, then add your topping. she then says to put it back in the oven for 20-25 mins but mine was only in there for another 15 max. (depends on oven/ topping i think)
just off to get fish out of freezer for fish cakes tomorrow.
see you tomorrow.
lala

fallen_angel_shelley

Sharon_1970 wrote: »

How do you slice HM bread evenly? I either have wafer thin or doorsteps

i got an adjustable knife from lakeland and it's great, but they seem to have stopped doing them, but if you go on to ebay and type in 'adjustable bread knife' there are a couple for sale.