Your browser isn't supported
It looks like you're using an old web browser. To get the most out of the site and to ensure guides display correctly, we suggest upgrading your browser now. Download the latest:
Internet Explorer
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox

Welcome to the MSE Forums

We're home to a fantastic community of MoneySavers but anyone can post. Please exercise caution & report spam, illegal, offensive or libellous posts/messages: click "report" or email forumteam@.

Main site > Forums > Household & Travel > Old Style MoneySaving > June 2009 Grocery Challenge
Go to page of 43
  • 43.9k views
  • 850 replies
Search
  • FIRST POST
    • User avatar
      User avatar
      Pink.
      • 17,431Posts
      • 40,365Thanks
    • Pink.
    • By Pink. 25th May 09, 11:32 PM
    • 17,431Posts
    • 40,365Thanks

      What's this?

    Pink.
    June 2009 Grocery Challenge
    • #1
    • 25th May 09, 11:32 PM
    June 2009 Grocery Challenge 25th May 09 at 11:32 PM
    Welcome to the June 2009 Grocery Challenge.

    If your new month starts early feel free to join this thread, or if you're still working on your May budget, then keep on posting in the May 2009 Grocery Challenge

    As always this challenge is to reduce your own grocery budget to levels that you will be pleased with, not forgetting that we always recommend that you stay inside your own comfort levels and take things gently one step at a time. Remember that this is not a competition....it's designed to take you and your grocery spending to a level you are happy with.

    If you are new to the challenge I have quoted the advice from Galtizz below which will help you get started.

    Please post into this thread for help and advice and support at any time. Good luck to everyone taking part!

    “


    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.
    by Galtizz ”

    For guidelines on posting in this thread please read the second post in this thread.

    For everyone's targets and totals for the month please read posts #3 and #4 on this thread.


    Wishing you all a great June and good luck to everyone who's taking part!

    Pink
    Last edited by Pink.; 28-05-2009 at 9:55 AM.

    Users saying Thanks (19)

Page 3
  • MRSMCAWBER
    Hi Credit_Crunch

    If you have a look at page 1 you will find loads of recipes on post 4+5 , I can vouch for the naan bread recipe I use -its on there somewhere
    Hope that helps
    -6 -8 -3 -1.5 -2.5 -3 -1.5-3.5

    Users saying Thanks (15)

  • hypno06
    Hi guys! I have tried and failed on occasion before to do the GC....but I really do need to get to grips with my budgets.

    One of my problems is that I try and aim for something unrealistic, and then fail after 10 days, so give up, miserable and feeling even more skint. So I am going to start with a much higher budget and see if I can come in under by a bit more each month.

    On that basis, and because DD has a birthday in June, I am going to set my budget for June at £400 (there are 5 of us - 2 adults, 3 teens), but I want to be significantly under that.

    I have done an online shop today, for delivery on Tuesday and will start keeping a total.....

    *gulp*
    Successful women can still have their feet on the ground. They just wear better shoes. (Maud Van de Venne)
    Life begins at the end of your comfort zone (Neale Donald Walsch)

    Users saying Thanks (14)

  • frugalswan
    Ahh, a new month. And come 1st June, I shall be attempting (once again!) the Grocery Challenge. Could you please put me down for £160 Mrs M? I won't be adding the items I buy for the wedding, although I'll be getting those in the weekly shops. It'll include everything else though (food, toiletries, etc). I promise to try!

    x Frugalswan x
    Continually trying the Grocery Challenge. Gotta keep trying!

    Users saying Thanks (12)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      slowandsteady
      • 386Posts
      • 3,289Thanks
    • slowandsteady
    • By slowandsteady 28th May 09, 9:11 PM
    • 386 Posts
    • 3,289 Thanks

      What's this?

    slowandsteady
    Hi im new to this thread but have been reading the May challenge with great interest. Payday for me today, im looking at a budget of £200. Sorry cant work out how to increase text size for numbers!

    Have withdrawn the £200 in cash, went and did a big shop today and spent £79.67, saved £6 because used a clubcard voucher for £6 off if spend over £40

    There is me DH and 5 mth baby girl who is formula fed and just starting to wean. Intend this £200 to cover all household food, baby stuff and necessities.

    The rest of the cash will go into a pot.

    Lets see how i go!

    Users saying Thanks (12)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      kissjenn
      • 2,356Posts
      • 8,777Thanks
    • kissjenn
    • By kissjenn 28th May 09, 9:14 PM
    • 2,356 Posts
    • 8,777 Thanks

      What's this?

    kissjenn
    Hi,

    Can we join in please? We were easily spending and wasting £200 plus a week on food alone. Can we try £350 this month and hopefully come in somewhere close. Thats food, cleaning, toiletries, and pet food for 3 adults, 1 dog and 3 cats.

    Many thanks for the thread.
    Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Marcel Proust

    Users saying Thanks (12)

  • njk0327
    credit crunch -
    My first GC in a while too, hope no one minds me posting these up here either.
    Basically with the soups you soften the onion and butter in a pan add the other ingredients simmer till soft then i blitz them with a hand blender.
    Carrot & coriander,- 1 large onion, about 450-500g of carrots 2 pints of veg stock good handful of fresh coriander, salt and pepper.
    Squash - 1 large onion 1 whole butternut squash (49p at Aldi at the moment!)2 sticks of celery 2 carrots, teaspoon of cinnamon, 2 pints of veg stock, salt and pepper.
    Naan bread - 1 packet of dried yeast, mixed with a mug of water, glug of oil, an egg salt and enough bread flour so its not sticky anymore, kneed and let rise like bread then shape in to flat rounds brush with melted butter and grill till golden on each side on high heat.
    I usually roll half of the mixture in garlic and coriander before cooking .
    Hope that helps not to good with exact measures as i don't measure much out now you get used to doing it by sight.
    Total Debt 10/5/2009, £2189.10, 1/6/09 £1420.75
    1/7/09 £1661.66, after 2 holidays 1/9/09 £1725.36
    1/11/09 £1188.89

    Users saying Thanks (15)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      Shortie
      • 2,218Posts
      • 12,069Thanks
    • Shortie
    • By Shortie 28th May 09, 9:27 PM
    • 2,218 Posts
    • 12,069 Thanks

      What's this?

    Shortie
    Can I please confirm £200 budget for May/June?

    I'll confirm June/July after the 18th
    Apologies if there are random typos - I am usually replying via my phone

    Users saying Thanks (11)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      Shortie
      • 2,218Posts
      • 12,069Thanks
    • Shortie
    • By Shortie 28th May 09, 9:28 PM
    • 2,218 Posts
    • 12,069 Thanks

      What's this?

    Shortie
    Ooo and also, my dad picked us up a loaf and milk today at Asdas.... he didn't want anythign for it so no update to sig, but I'll be 'repaying them' over the weekend with fruit from the market which I'll add into my budget - thought they don't know I'm doing that yet...
    Apologies if there are random typos - I am usually replying via my phone

    Users saying Thanks (13)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      LydiaJ
      • 8,035Posts
      • 73,192Thanks
    • LydiaJ
    • By LydiaJ 28th May 09, 11:31 PM
    • 8,035 Posts
    • 73,192 Thanks

      What's this?

    LydiaJ
    Hi everyone

    Thanks Pink and MrsM for setting up the new thread.

    I do an online shop every Wednesday, so there are 4 of them this month. I want to aim for an average of £50 max each Wednesday, plus £20 max extra bits and pieces - especially for having friends round for supper.
    So please put me down for a June total of £220.

    That's to cover food, toiletries, cleaning stuff and all the usual supermarket kind of shopping, for me and two kids, plus cooking some meals for my dad. It's also got to cover snack food, wherever I buy it, to encourage me to buy snacks cheaply in multipacks from Mr T instead of expensively when I feel hungry.

    My other June target is to keep a spending diary for the whole month.

    Lydia
    Do you know anyone who's bereaved? Point them to www.AtaLoss.org which does for bereavement support what MSE does for financial services, providing links to support organisations relevant to the circumstances of the loss & the local area. (Link permitted by forum team)
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    Tyre performance in the wet deteriorates rapidly below about 3mm tread - change yours when they get dangerous, not just when they are nearly illegal (1.6mm).
    Oh, and wear your seatbelt. My kids are only alive because they were wearing theirs when somebody else was driving in wet weather with worn tyres.

    Users saying Thanks (12)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      dreamingofmoney
      • 420Posts
      • 4,760Thanks
    • dreamingofmoney
    • By dreamingofmoney 29th May 09, 7:06 AM
    • 420 Posts
    • 4,760 Thanks

      What's this?

    dreamingofmoney
    Hiya
    I will be good this month, May was my first lapse and i am determined it will be my last. Could i please be put down for £300 for June please. This is for 2 adults one toddler and 2 dogs

    Many Thanks
    Dreamer
    Paying back 1% at a time 85% of total debt paid off.
    No. 82 PAYDBX19 £7704.90/£13000 of debt paid from this years goal 59.3%
    Hfax loan, Bcard £938/£5852.06 16% Lloyd’s £451.52/£592.99 76.1%
    Debt free date Mar 2020.

    Users saying Thanks (12)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      karenccs67
      • 1,031Posts
      • 5,515Thanks
    • karenccs67
    • By karenccs67 29th May 09, 7:52 AM
    • 1,031 Posts
    • 5,515 Thanks

      What's this?

    karenccs67
    June grocery challenge
    This is my first time doing a grocery challenge and I would like to put myself down for £200. It's going to be tough this month as TV Licence due and dog is desperate for hair cut! Also, we pay our rent fortnightly and this month it falls on 1st, 15th & 29th June, so six weeks rent makes June a tough month.

    Good Luck to everyone else taking part in the challenge.

    Week 1 £45/£200
    Last edited by karenccs67; 30-05-2009 at 1:50 PM.

    Users saying Thanks (12)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      cuddlymarm
      • 1,342Posts
      • 8,030Thanks
    • cuddlymarm
    • By cuddlymarm 29th May 09, 7:57 AM
    • 1,342 Posts
    • 8,030 Thanks

      What's this?

    cuddlymarm
    Hi

    Can I join again please? I fell off the wagon before we moved house and just haven't got back on track. But I really must.

    Can I try £40 per week please? Hopefully I should manage on less but I still need to stock up the freezer and my youngest finishes uni for the summer next week so that will definately affect my food bill

    Thanks
    Have a lovely day everyone
    Cuddles
    2019 Grocery Spend £1145.34/£2000
    October GS £60/£200

    Users saying Thanks (12)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      kezlou
      • 3,280Posts
      • 43,067Thanks
    • kezlou
    • By kezlou 29th May 09, 8:38 AM
    • 3,280 Posts
    • 43,067 Thanks

      What's this?

    kezlou
    Hi all!

    Welcome to the members! You'll find loads of recipes on the front page, oh and you need help or advice just ask. The amount of times i have is unreal, and lo and behold these wonderful people always figure out a way to assist.

    Well i declare £179.68 for may on the thread, under budget but not by much.
    Could you put me down for £175 please for june mrs m? cheers.

    Okay heres a recipe for me, my kids and OH love it so thought i would post it. It was the first i made them so a bonus all round really. No real measurements as i boiled a load of going south potatoes, just guesses.

    Potato Kebabs
    Peel, and chop potatoes then cube them.
    Place in hot boiling water and cook till soft
    Drain them (keep the pot juice for a soup or stew)
    Mash the pots up and leave to cool.
    Once cooled either mix up with curry paste or spices (will post up later)
    Heat oil in shallow pan (about an inch worth of oil)
    Pick up about a handful of spiced potato roll into a pattie shape about an inch thick dip in egg and drop into frying pan.
    Fry till browned on both sides and drain on kitchen roll.
    Repeat the above till all the spiced mixture is gone.

    I have frozen my leftover potato kebabs and i think should fine, but as i say i have no idea.

    Need to buy yeast today for the bread but that's out of the may budget, going to try and plant some more potatoes and other veg today but knowing my luck the boys will vomit again (poor things been stick in house for two days being ill).

    bye for now.

    Users saying Thanks (15)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      SmlSave
      • 4,722Posts
      • 16,650Thanks
    • SmlSave
    • By SmlSave 29th May 09, 9:48 AM
    • 4,722 Posts
    • 16,650 Thanks

      What's this?

    SmlSave
    Morning! Please put me down for £150. Spending totally out of control the last couple of months.

    Have to find time this weekend to list everything I've got in the cupboards/fridge/freezer
    Currently studying for a Diploma - wish me luck

    Phase 1 - Emergency Fund - Complete
    Phase 2 - £20,000 Mortgage Fund - Underway

    Users saying Thanks (12)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      little_miss_moneysaver
      • 1,229Posts
      • 7,653Thanks
    • little_miss_moneysaver
    • By little_miss_moneysaver 29th May 09, 10:01 AM
    • 1,229 Posts
    • 7,653 Thanks

      What's this?

    little_miss_moneysaver
    Chilli recipe
    Hi all, still doing this meal planner business. Taking a long time this month so can try and do the shopping list at the same time. Looked up this recipe for chilli from the first page but it has no method. Was posted by AngelNikki this time last year. I could prob have a good guess but wondered if there were any special instructions?

    Thanks,
    LMMS

    Chilli makes 3 meals for 3

    500g mince(I use beef steak mince which I buy on 2 for £4)
    beef oxo cube (optional)
    some finely diced onion
    2 grated carrots
    2 handfuls of oats ( add 1/2 tin of water if you add oats)
    2 tins chopped tomatoes
    1or2 tins of baked beans (my mum always used to add these)
    1 tin of kidney beans (drained)
    tomato puree
    squirt of ketchup
    Chilli powder

    Sometimes I add mushrooms or peppers too if I have them.

    You could also add a couple of handfuls of red split lentils to spag bol/chilli to s-t-r-e-e-t-c-h it further. I never do because they take 30-40 mins to cook and I like to have dinner done in 20mins as I cant stand for too long.
    Baby boy arrived 22nd August 2012
    Second menace arrived safely 13th February 2014
    Debt Free Wannabee 2015

    Users saying Thanks (12)

  • beasygirl
    Hi this is my first time doing the grocery challenge, we kept all our receipts from last month in preparation for this challenge and spent a whopping £448.69 pence. A lot of this simply indulgence and included half term week where dd would usually have pack lunch.

    Please can you put me down for £350, (for 2 adults and 2 children). I really think this is managable and am very determined to complete this challenge as I can not justify spending anywhere like we did last month.

    Thanks
    Currently takling Barclaycard - £67/£350
    Debt free date October 2014

    Doing it for my girlies!!
    38lbs lost in 2011
    SW for May 8lb/7lb

    Users saying Thanks (12)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      nmlc
      • 3,536Posts
      • 49,216Thanks
    • nmlc
    • By nmlc 29th May 09, 10:56 AM
    • 3,536 Posts
    • 49,216 Thanks

      What's this?

    nmlc
    Morning all

    Have just done second shop of my June GC challenge. After last month's appalling overspend am trying to take it steady this month - have not managed to stick to budget any month so far! Have looked at situation again and with help from all you lovely people on here, I know that it should be easily do-able - I just need to do it! Am going away this weekend and staying with family so shouldn't be huge spends - just need to be realistic on Sunday evening when we get back. Have bought some breaded chicken that's now in the freezer and can be cooked from frozen so we don't cave in and order takeaway. Have done a menu plan for next week and have all the food in for that so shouldn't need to shop again until next Friday. The stock cupboard is really bulging - have had to stash bags of rice and pasta in other cupboards - but too much of a bargain not to buy.
    Weekend weather looks good, keep safe and well everyone - don't overdo the sun or the alcohol with the bbq!
    nmlc
    WEIGHTLOSS SINCE JUNE 2009 - 5 ST 2LB

    Users saying Thanks (12)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      XSpender
      • 3,410Posts
      • 34,908Thanks
    • XSpender
    • By XSpender 29th May 09, 11:25 AM
    • 3,410 Posts
    • 34,908 Thanks

      What's this?

    XSpender
    Hello

    First spend of the month last night £39.72 at Mr S including Antihistermines, cold tablets, face wash and sun tan lotion.

    A bit annoyed with myself though. I thought I had picked up 2 packets of £2.99 antihistermines on buy one get one free but picked up two at £4.63 not on BOGOF. I am sure they put the label with the offers under the non offer stuff so you pick it up and even if you notice it you won't take it back as its a hassle. Not me though, I am taking them back tonight! That will make my spend nearer £30.

    Mr T tonight to use a £12 off £80 shop. Will fill up the freezer as we have been eating out of it for the last few weeks. Have done my list on mysupermarket, chopped about £15 of stuff off the list, and apart from freezer stuff using this shop to stock up on dog food and loo roll and tins of beans etc.

    I am taking the calculator too! I want to be as near as the £80 as possible and not be swayed by too many deals.

    XSpender
    October Grocery Challenge - £277.74/£220

    Users saying Thanks (12)

    • User avatar
      User avatar
      angelnikki
      • 892Posts
      • 16,972Thanks
    • angelnikki
    • By angelnikki 29th May 09, 12:44 PM
    • 892 Posts
    • 16,972 Thanks

      What's this?

    angelnikki
    “
    Hi all, still doing this meal planner business. Taking a long time this month so can try and do the shopping list at the same time. Looked up this recipe for chilli from the first page but it has no method. Was posted by AngelNikki this time last year. I could prob have a good guess but wondered if there were any special instructions?

    Thanks,
    LMMS
    Originally posted by little_miss_moneysaver ”
    Hi LMMS

    There's no special method; just brown the mince with the chopped onion, grated carrot and oxo. Add a squirt of tomato puree, cook for 1 min, then add the other ingredients and simmer

    I dont add oats to my meals anymore but I still get the same number of portions, by adding extra chopped veg instead HTH

    Nikki x

    Users saying Thanks (13)

  • rosieben
    Just updating the front page recipe list with more goodies! As promised on last month's thread, I've separated out the soup recipes into their own section

    welcome to the newbies

    Have a great weekend everyone, and enjoy the sunshine
    ... don't throw the string away. You always need string!

    C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener

    Users saying Thanks (13)

Go to page of 43
Welcome to our new Forum!

Our aim is to save you money quickly and easily. We hope you like it!

Forum Team Contact us

Live Stats

207Posts Today

2,836Users online

Martin's Twitter
NewsBlog