October Grocery Challenge

squeaky

Hi all
October is almost with us, and with it a new Grocery Challenge, so here in the quote are some helpful tips.

Remember to have fun and to be kind to yourselves


Good luck to everyone taking part.

Galtizz wrote:

I have said this before, but for all the newbies to the challenge;

For the first month I took a guess at the budget but I really had no idea how much I was spending.

I found the best thing is to have a guess the first month but SAVE ALL OF YOUR RECEIPTS (and yes, that does include the ones from the local shop when you run out of milk ), then at the end of the month add them all up and have a look if you were on budget, if not, it doesn't matter because your budget was a guess. For the next month you can use the total of your receipts and take a bit off to get a realistic budget, just shave off as much as you think you can, it could be £1 a week or £20 a week.

If you are currently spending £200 a month don't suddenly drop it to £100 - you'll never do it but if you cut £20 a month off for a few months you'll get there eventually without feeling you're missing out on anything.

You might think you've done everything you can in the first month but someone always comes up with a new idea and, if you try it you often find you save a bit more (unless you are SarahSaver who is an expert at this and could only save more if she turned her back garden into a paddy field and lived on rice ) In the first month I thought, I'm planning meals, I couldn't possibly save any more, but then I started double cooking and freezing, and making soup instead of buying it in tins.

I've been doing this since Feb but only saved ALL of my receipts last month, it has given me a much better idea of where it is all going. Budget for next month is £80 for 2 of us, I'll start on 30/4. I could probably save more, by eating different foods but I can afford to live on £80, I have saved a lot of money since Feb. and I don't waste food or money any more. So I'm happy with my budget.

omega_2

Need to get back on track. Considering we have a generous monthly budget of £185 for 2 adults and 1 tot, there’s NO EXCUSE. First shop of the month tonight came out at £47.14, leaving £34 for each of the next 4 weeks.

brummiebabe

I'm joining again!

This month, aiming for £250, for 2 adults & 2 kids!:D

Nikki

After reading last months challenge I'll join in with this one. Did well last month, but taking on a bigger mortgage so need to keep it up. Planned meals, written up shopping lists so should be ok. Budget is £240 for the month which starts on 1st Oct, this is for 2 adults, 3 kids and 2 kittens. Have an added advantage as I work for sainsburys i get 10% staff discount and oct - dec we get 15%(xmas bonus) so I may come in under budget. Despite the staff discount I still shop around for bargains!

freyaluck

well i'm new to the site and am going t join you for the 1st time #
my budget for this months grocerys is £150 thats for 2 adults, a 6yo,a 2yo and a 4 week old. Starting today and finshing on the 26th of oct.
so far I have spent 19.72 on groceries and need to spend an extra 7.50 this week.
that will be 27.22 in total, not a bad start although their are a few things that I already have that I usually get every week, that didn't need to buy eg washing powder and squash etc.
Although I have just started using terries on the 2 youngest so that should save £12 a week minus washing powder and electric,

carlie

brokenwings

my first full month of grocery budgeting too
have target of £100 for two adults and one dog

am positive i can do it as store cupboards and freezer are full of freebies and bogofs.

: )

SuiDreams

I'm joining in for the 1t time, Budget of £225 for 2 Adults (seems quite high compared to most others but it insludes for all cleaning products and some toiletries). Started my month off on Monday, as we've just got back from Holidays, we do a big shop every fortmight and a small shop inbetween for Fresh stuff. Spent over £100 already but cupboards were bare and we needed to stock up, am hoping to last a bit longer till our next big shop. Then if we meet the budget or under, will try and cut it back a little every month.

AnnaV

I tried last month but it all went a bit pear shaped, so going to try again. At a bit of an advantage as my DH is away for two weeks. I've also got a little box I'm going to paint and cut a hole in the top for us to put receipts in in the kitchen. Hopefully that should make it easier too.

tootles_2

My monthy budget is £100 for two people for 4 weeks, I have just been to Tesco this morning for my monthy shop including some fruit. £62.14, market for veg £6.00, Wilkinsons for washing up liquid and bleach £1.33, so just under £70, leaving me £30 for fruit and veg in the middle of the month.......

I allow £10 a week for fuel for the car, I have one long journey each week, this morning £38.00 in the tank.......so £2.00 left to go forward to next month hopefully.

johanne

Im joining in this month, My aim is £100 for me and my part time (lives with his mum not here) OH. Usually budget £80 for myself for the month but OH is planning on staying here more often and hes a fussy eater of junk. So thats probably gonna bump up my total

Trying a shop online for the first time though.. thats coming in around £60ish i think as im getting a few extra bits in for xmas and also to stock up on store cupboard staples like condiments etc. So got £40 for fresh stuff and bits for OH.

Sweet_Pea_2

My October started on 20th September when OH got paid. My budget is £300 for the month, £75 per week, for 2 adults and 2 kids. Which reading this so far looks quite high. I have chopped it down from between £80 and £90 though in the last 6 weeks or so. My first "October" shop came to £78 odd (see my signature) so Im going to try really hard to do better this week. The cupboards and freezers are pretty well stocked and I have some (home made) frozen ready meals in there too. If I can stick to it I will try to reduce next month. Must look out how to acquire some coupons as I dont know where to get any from. Only thing is 90% of my shopping comes from Aldi and I dont think they take coupons. OH does the rest at Sainsbury. He usually "forgets" coupons, must see what I can do about this.