January 2009 Grocery Challenge
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Hello everyone,
Welcome to the first Grocery Challenge of 2009. :hello:
If your new month starts early feel free to join this thread, or if you're still working on your December budget, then keep on posting in the December 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!
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.
For the Grocery challenge Recipe Index please see posts #5 and #6 on this thread.
I hope everyone has a great month and can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year. _party_
Pink
Welcome to the first Grocery Challenge of 2009. :hello:
If your new month starts early feel free to join this thread, or if you're still working on your December budget, then keep on posting in the December 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!
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.
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.
For the Grocery challenge Recipe Index please see posts #5 and #6 on this thread.
I hope everyone has a great month and can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year. _party_
Pink
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Comments
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Guidelines for posting on the Grocery Challenge thread.
What is the Grocery Challenge thread?
This is a thread where people who are taking part in the Grocery Challenge can post for help encouragement and support and talk about anything related to grocery shopping. We ask that you try to keep on topic and post things that are relevant to the challenge.
Posting grocery budgets and spends for the month
Some people like to post their grocery budget and final spend for each month. If you wish to be included in the master list then please post these in red and in a large font as this makes it easier for the volunteers to keep a record of everyone’s totals.
Number of posts
In order to make the thread easier to read it would be helpful if users would try not to post multiple posts in quick succession.
Chat
Chatty posts that are relevant to the Challenge are fine. Irrelevant chat or posts simply saying ‘Good morning/Goodnight’, ‘just popping on to say hello’, ‘I’ve sent you a pm’ etc aren’t, as they clutter up the thread and may be removed to make the thread easier for others to read. Unfortunately the board guides simply don't have the time to pm users individually when posts are removed to keep the thread on topic. If your post has been removed and you are unhappy with the decision, please feel free to send us a pm.
If you want to say thanks to another user please use the thanks button and please post any chat not related to the Grocery Challenge into the Daily Thread or use the pm function.
No Spend days (NSD’s)
A number of people like to record that they have had a no spend day. Again to reduce the number of posts we would ask that rather than post just that you had a no spend day you record it in your signature and/or add it to a post that is directly relevant to the Grocery Challenge.
Pictures
Please keep these relevant to the challenge. While photographs of produce or cooking are great, pictures of semi-naked men or large clip art aren’t.
Bargains
Please don’t forget to check out the Grabbit and Shop but Don’t drop boards for any bargains and the Discount Codes 'n Vouchers (online & offline) board to see if there are any current vouchers around.
Questions about recipes, freezing, techniques etc
These don’t always fit into the Grocery Challenge. There are a number of threads where it may be more appropriate to ask questions. There is a wealth of information available on the Old Style board so please do a search to see if there is a better thread for your question. For more help with searching see here or feel free to send a private message to a board guide who will be happy to help.
Useful Links to threads on the Old Style board
Quick Questions thread
Recipe thread
Cheap recipe threads
Don't throw food away challenge...
The Complete Cooking Collection
Old Style Daily thread General chat about Old Style (new thread started daily)
Flylady thread Cleaning thread (new thread weekly)
Enough is Enough (decluttering)
Lose weight the Old Style way
Finally if you are new to Old Style and want help to find your way around, this thread may help: Welcome to Old Style and there is some excellent practical help and advice on posting on MSE chat forums in this thread: Unofficial A-Z (Look here first)0 -
annual
Mrsmcawber €1680 / €93.55
Orkney star £2500
Mags50 £3000
Nykmedia -£1200 / £201.31
Mummzyof2 £1200 / £37.10
Mummy2mygirls £3000
Angelatgraceland £6000 / £457.51
JennyBee £1440
mama67 £1820
Taka £1320
Savvystudent £1500
Free in three £2500
Turbo5019 £2000
Sylvan £3000 / £556.62
Monthly
1derwoman £100
1463Emma £150
3_Cheeky_Princesses £350
Alisean221 £400
Allegra £225
Allypops £250
Almar £375
AlwaysHappy £175 £190.13
Andrinaperry £300
Angelnikki £350 £320.63
Angelraesunshine £300
Angelwings £200
Angie_Baby £20
Annie123 £300 £412
Aril £180 £145
Ashia £90
azjh77 £100
Baileys babe £300 £333.54
BarneysMom £170
Beemuzed £320
BeenCounting £600
Beki £50
belfastgirl23 £120
*Big Bird*£300 £293.70
BigMummaF £275
BigSpender2 £350 £251
BlackBelle £100
Booklover £175
BrokenWings £160
Brummiebabe £400
Bullet £280
Butterfly72 £250 £222.21
Butterflybecks £190 £190.21
Candy Girl £130 £125.24
Carolt2 £150 £155.27
Cashsaver £200
CatwomanKent£150
CazzieDevil 200
Changingme £240 £299.04
Cheapskate £440 £417
Cherry Pie £100
ChocolatePennyFarthing£150
ClutteryDrawer £60
compingirl £350 £373.12
Coolmum66 £180
Cranky40 £120
CrazyBird £150
CrazyHazy £200
Cruiksl £200
Csainthouse £350
CurlyTop £260 £219.77
CW18 £128 £157.20
Danksshady £100
DavesDaughter £300 £293.45
Dazzle21 £180 £218
Dink1 £250
Dollydealer£70
Donnajt £265
Dumpling £375 £359.08
dsljFreeman £380
Eagles74 £120
EC12345 £175
Efesbaby £220
Elizabunny £124 £123.88
Essex-girl £320 £325
Ess-Six £150 £250.62
FallenAngelShelly £200 £170.52
FedupandSkint £100 £160
Fedupnow £184.45 £175.60
Fertyskids £300
Fiftyeighter £300
Findingmyfeet £260
FireAngel £50
Fizzle81 £100
FlatEric £111
Flubberyzing £50 £49.44
FlyladyFlower £240 £259.53
FlyingScottie81 £250
FootballManagerWidow £320
Frugal Swan £160
FunkyDelia £160
Gailey £200
Galaxy863 £250
Gillaman £100
Gillst £200 £216.75
GlitterBall £100 £110.36
Gloveman £175
Goldfinch68 £400
Goodeys £300
Greent £400 £402.44
Guns n banjos £200
Halster £300 £387
Hamish222 £200
HappyJazza £280
HappyRags £300
Hay £400
Hayze1980 £350
Hazel673 £250
HeidiBoo £200
Hgbels £200
HiglandFling £150 £105
Hollysan £300 £349
Hornet £150
Huxley £200 £185.46
Ifonlyitwaseasier £100 £80
Igiveup £80
Inamess200 £400 £332
Indebted £300
Isthatreduced £130 £118.37
Iwanttogoonholiday £150
IZoomZoom £290
jackiegibbo £220 £212.16
JackieO £44
Jackie W £250
Jane2112 £250
JayneC £200 £249.48
Jaycee1972 £100 £237.23
JayJay14 £120 £133.65
Jinky67 £250 £114.76
jtb2412 £280 £280
JulieJim £300 £344.45
JulieMK £100 £99.41
Justpeyton4now £100
KAAT_LADY £200
Kalojac £300
Katholicos £320
Kayharcombe £150
KeepingPositive £250£260
Keld £500
Kessik £350
Kindlesgirl £280
Kippers £300 £299.98
KITTY£250 £251.02
Kiwi Blue $200
KiwiSaver $375 $387.84
Kookgekje £300 £290.53
Kulakman £300
Ladyroughneck £120
Lainz £90 £131.12
LauraDora £50 £83.11
Le Foot £300
Liberty9515 £250 £222.96
Little_Belle £200
Lil me £280
LittleChezza £150
Little_Miss_moneysaver£130
Littlemissthrifty £300
Lizzieanne £350
Lola34 £250
Loubob£150 £144.35
Lucycat £300 £325
Lydiaj £200
MaisieM £100 £185.42
Mardatha £200
Mari £225 £220.54
Math £216.67 £214.12
Meanmarie €300 €291.99
Miecherox £400
millieJo £325 £321.26
Millionaireinthemaking £250
Millyscarlett £200
Miserly_mum £320 £325.60
Missimayo £200
Mommyof4 £140
MoneyFritter £90 £91.50
MoneyMission £350 £354.80
MoneyQueen £100 £109.54
Moneysaving Diva £300
MoneySavingHornette £100
Moniker £300 £271.67
Mooloo £360 £352
MotherShipton £350 £340
Mouseymousey £250
Mrsmck £280
Mrs Miser £280
Mrs Money Penny £170
Mrs-MoneyPenny £400
MrsMortenHarket £250
mrssnowy £180 £149.93
MSHAWX £175
Mummygems£350
Mummyofrayne £150-6 -8 -3 -1.5 -2.5 -3 -1.5-3.50 -
Nancy888 £150 £165.65
Nats04 £140
Natzini £125
Newlifeahead £200
Nickynoo08 £150
Nigdeb2002 £300
nimbo £120
NorthernStar £150
OldMcDonald £140 £142.78
Oliego £300
Orchid-96 £200
patent girl £200
Penny2myname £50
PennyFarthing£200
PerryWinkle £300
Philsmum £120
Phoolgrrrl £100 £96
PinkJen £120 £98.19
PinknFluffy £350 £366.52
PinkPrincess £350 £274.47
*~*pinky*~* £450
Pips Mum £150
Pip-Squeak £100 £99.64
Pooky £250
princess leia £275 £300
Procrastinator £200 £150
Prophecy-grrl £200 £181.99
Purpleskies£40
Puss14 $200
QOTD £200
Queen of string £200
Rach £160
Rachel021967 £170 £374.88
rachelmk £150 £175
Radish72 £200 £115
Ragstoricheswannabe £250
Ragz £320
Rainbowchild £200
RavyLesley £350
Reb £240 £232.36
Recovering Spendaholic £250
Redmel1621 £340 £400
Rockie4 £150 £149.73
RosieBen £80
RumnCoke £275
Russetred £375
Saffouri £200 £248.42
Sam010185 £250
SarahSarah £350
Sashanut £250 £458.45
Save-a-holic £325
SavingforOz £90
Savingfortravel £70
Savingholmes£280
SAVVYMUMMY £400 £360.81
SAV3R £400 £346.15
SazzleDazzle £100
Scip789 £300 £338.40
ScotSaver £250 £260.15
Searching Me £150
SeptemberBlues £60
SexKi11en £100
Sharronej £150 £206.86
Shelly1977 £80 £84.65
Shinulya £200
SisterCas £300 £402
Sparklymessygirl £160 £180
Spendaholic £120
Spryte £400
Steele £100 £117.49
Stingylolo £300
SunnyDay £120 £119.97
Sunny Donny £150 £98.29
Susan946 £300
S_Wales_Saver £250 £226.12
Sylvan £350 £556.62
Tartanmum £300
Teedy23 £45
TeePoo £100
The Bees £350 £360
thg £250
Tigger888 £280 £310
30Something £140
Toonie £170
TootiFrooti £110 £91.92
Tracey.32 £200 £186.16
Trish123 £300
Turkolina £200
Undercover Angel £200
Webitha £200
WendyWitch £250
Winky the house Elf £200
WiseOwl £150
Wmf £110
WornOutMumOfTwo £300
yummymummy05 £250 £180.72
Zend £200 £230
Weekly
Bulchy £70
Cat_79 £60
Fatcattaff £80
Miss-Spent £50
Penny-Pincher £25
*redweb* £30
SmlSave £30 £82.09-for the month
ZaraZara £60-6 -8 -3 -1.5 -2.5 -3 -1.5-3.50 -
Microwave Recipes
Main Meals & Side Dishes
Baked potato pizza
Baked Beans (home made)
Beef and Root Veg Curry
Belly Pork
Bolognaise (Remoska)
Broad Bean Burgers
Broccoli and Cheese Soup
Carrot, parsnip and lentil soup
Chicken Cannelloni
Chicken - Sticky Chicken
Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken with Garlic, Cider & Cream
Chilli
Chilli (Remoska)
Chilli Cheese Crostini
Chinese style cabbage
Cobbler (topping)
Corned Beef Hash - MrsMCawber's recipe
Cranberry & Soy glazed cocktail sausages
Creamy Chicken and Potato casserole
Curried Parsnip Soup
Curry Sauce
Diet Coke Chicken
Duchesse potatoes
Fishcakes
Fish Pie and Fish Pie
Ham and Lentil Soup
Ham Hock (slow cooker)
Ham Salad (sandwich filling) external link
Iced cucumber soup
Individual chicken pies
Lasagne
Leek and Potato Soup
Lemon Chicken
Lemon chicken with basil and tagliatelle
Lemon potatoes
Liver and onions stir fry
Meatballs
Meatloaf
Mediterranean Mince and Potato 'Pie'
Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta
Mince & onion pie
Minced Beef Curry
Minced Beef with Cobbler Topping
Mini Goat's Cheese, Pear & Walnut Quiche
Monday Pie
Moroccan Chickpea and Broad Bean Soup
Moussaka
Naan bread - see 'Bread' below
Open top 'pizza' pie
Parsnip & Apple Soup
Pizza / Pizza Base Recipe
Pork Steaks in Mustard and Cider Sauce
Potato layer bake
Potato and onion layer
Quiche Lorraine
Real Tomato Soup
Sausage Casserole
Sausage Meat Patties
Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
Smoked salmon soda breads
Spaghetti with courgettes, tomato and brie
Spicy Bean & Sweet Potato Stew
Spicy Carrot and Tomato Soup
Steak and Kidney stew/pie filling
Steamed Oriental Buns
Stifado - Beef Stew With Tiny Onions Recipe
Stuffing - MrsMcawber's recipe
Suet crust pie with quorn
Super Tasty Bacon, Bean and Sausage
Sweet & Sour Chicken/Pork
TexMex Skillett
Thai green curry
Toad in the Hole
Tofu burgers
Tuna Fishcakes
Turkey and Bubble and Squeak Pie
Turkey Pasta
Turkey Pasta Cacciatore
Vegetable Casserole
Veggie Haggis
Bread
Bagels
Baguettes
Bara Brith (Welsh Tea Bread)
Bread - Mrs McC's recipe for Remoska
Breadsticks MrsM's / angelnikki's (No Salt Recipe)
Cheese & Potato Bread
Cheesy Bread Rolls
Chewy Soft Flour Tortilla
Chocolate Bread
Courgette Flatbread
Focaccia
Garlic Dough Balls
Herb Quick bread
HM Bread
Naan Bread .. see also .. Curry Queen's ...... Mrs McCawber's ...... OrkneyStar's
Oatmeal bread
soft bread rolls
Super Seedy Bread
... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener0 -
Dips, Jams & Chutneys
Alioli / Traditional allioli
Christmas Chutney
Elderberry cordial
Jams & Preserves
Pineapple Salsa
Tomato Chutney
Cakes, Biscuits, Snacks & Desserts
Apple delight
Apple Charlotte
Apricot Flapjack bars
Banana and lemon drizzle cake
Banana Muffins (ext link)
Banana and Walnut cake
Banana Ginger Parkin
Branflake cake
Bounty Balls
Bran Fruit Loaf
Bread & Butter Pudding
Bulk pancake mix
Caramel Shortbread (Millionaire's Shortbread)
Caramel Shortbread (2)
Cheese n marmite twists
Cheesy Biscuits
Chocolate fudge
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Chocolate Krackolates
Coconut Cake
Cookie Dough
Courgette Tea Bread/Muffins
Cranberry And Chocolate Brownies
Currant Loaf
Custard Cookies
D&DD’s Apple Braid
Date, Nut and Oat biscuits
Easy Syrup Sponge Pudding
Eggless Chocolate Cake
Fifteens
Flaky Bars
Flapjacks and Flapjacks
Gingerbread Men
Ginger Raisin Crunches
Golden Syrup Tart
Honey Frosted Buns
Iced Buns
Impossible Coconut Pie
Jammy Buns
Key lime pie
Krispie marshmallow bars
Lemon Curd Cake
Lemon Curd Ice-Cream JeniD's / MoneySavingDiva's
Malt Bread
Marshmallow Squares
Mascarpone and Lime Torte
Mascarpone Ice-cream
Millies Cookies
Muffins: Basic Recipe / Chocolate Orange Muffins / Gingerbread Muffins / Kiwi Muffins / Sticky Date Muffins / Strawberry Muffins / Toffee Apple Muffins
No fat sponge
Oaty Shortbread Biscuits
Peanut Butter Cookies
Scones
Spiced Apple Bars
St Peter's Mud Pie (no cooking required)
Sticky gingerbread
Sticky toffee apple crumble
Teacakes
Twink’s Hobnobs
Weetabix Brownies
Weetabix Cake
Wonderbites
Yoghurt: Homemade yoghurt, Slow Cooker Yoghurt
Yoghurt Cake (the easy way)
Top Tips & Links
Grocery Challenge Top Tips
How to feed your whole family a healthy, balanced diet... (Webook)
Laundry Washing Gel/ Gloop, Fab conditioner, vinegar.....
List of conversions
Love Food Hate Waste website
Show Jamie How To Cook On A Budget Champagne Contest... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener0 -
Yippeee...happy new year everyone :T
Im on day 6 of our month -and haven't spent 1c yet...long may it last
Planning on lots of meals using stuff up in the freezer (salmon steaks and allsorts) so im refusing to buy anything unless Im desperate-6 -8 -3 -1.5 -2.5 -3 -1.5-3.50 -
ooohh a shiney new thread!!
wel out of our january budget we have spent a couple of quid but as i was under for dec i've added it in there and start this challenge with a clean sheet!
good luck all for 2009 and all it brings you
ioiwe xNonny mouse and Proud!!
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience!!
Debtfightingdivaextraordinaire!!!!
Amor et metus. Lac? Sugar? Quisque massa vel duo? (stolen from a lovely forumite!)0 -
Hiya!
I'd like to join in again this month. MrsM can you put me down for £350 for Jan please. This is for me, X and our 2yr old DS; and includes all food, cleaning/household stuff, toiletries and nappies. My month runs from 31st Dec - 27th Jan; which is 4 weeks.
Good Luck everyone!
Happy New Year! _party_
Nikki x:A0 -
was planning a NSD today but had to buy Antacid drink for OH who is suffering at the moment - He was in bed, but now hugging the remote!!
using up gammon joint today with baked potato and beans and pickles. Made delicious vegetable soup with the stock remaining from the joint which is now residing in a bulging freezer. No meat needs to be bought for the rest of January as have 2 joints of beef, lamb shanks, gammon joint, mince and fish to cover all eventualities. Also have plenty of tinned tuna and salmon for butties.
January will be £150 as overspent in December. Lots of whoopsies and reduced stuff I think!!
Have a great new year everyone
Sunny DonnyMortgage free as at 1/9/13 :j
To start work on the credit cards now!!0 -
I'm in this time :-)
Will try £350, which is for pregnant me, DH and 19 month old DD.. We live in Gibraltar though and don't have a supermarket choice. It's Morrisons or nowt... Supermarket in Spain is quite good but too much of a trek to go weekly and is not much cheaper now that a euro is nearly the same as a pound! Our month will be from payday on Dec 31st to next payday on Friday 30th Jan..
My plan is to do a huge shop the first week to fill up the freezer, maybe £150 ish..
Just got to work out how to do my signature now :-)0
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