November 2008 Grocery Challenge

JennyBee wrote: »

ok, I have a challenge for the new year....from January I want to get our GC down to £100 a month. Now I know it's possible because you lot already do it! ...
Is there anything really obvious that I'm missing?
...

JennyBee wrote: »

ok, I have a challenge for the new year....from January I want to get our GC down to £100 a month. Now I know it's possible because you lot already do it! I'm assuming that once the baby is born I'll be able to breastfeed (big assumption I know!) and that it'll be in reusable nappies for most of the time so "hopefully" the fact that there is a baby about shouldn't actually increase our grocery spend too much.
Basically, being able to do this will make maternity leave pay a little easier to handle and also mean that I shouldn't (fingers crossed) need to go back to work full time but can manage on a few evenings and 1 full day at the weekend working.

We already meal plan and we don't have takeaways. We already have money going into separate accounts each month to cover yearly things like MOT, car tax, caravan insurance etc (not necessary but cheap holidays!) I'm desperately trying to work out where we can cut back without being unrealistic but I just end up staring at my budget spreadsheet without getting anywhere!

Is there anything really obvious that I'm missing?

I guess if all else fails I just have to hope the OH gets a massive payrise in the next year!

You have the right approach re breastfeeding- assume it will go well, and that you WILL perservere for the often first grueling week (s), but have a little small inclination how much you will have to spend if you do end up going down the formula route. When bf'ing you will maybe eat a little more, you are supposed to, and be drinking plenty (although tap water is free!), now would be a good time to think of easy and nutritious snacks to stock up on, for you. Also maybe do a little extra batch cooking so that you and DH don't have to face making meals as well as looking after bubs. For snacks things like ryvita/oatcake with cheese and tomato, beans on toast, cereal and milk etc are good ones and easy to do. We ate a lot of simple HM pizza too, and soups as they are easy to make/heat, yet good for you. Ok, hope this does not sound patronising .

kiwichick wrote: »

I never bother peeling butternut squash, either for soup or roasting to eat. The skin goes lovely and caramelised.

If we are having it for something that does require peeling.eg.risotto, then I save the peelings to chuck in my next batch of soup!

Hope this hasnt come across as pushy, was just wanting to let people know you can eat the skin.
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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.

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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
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No Spend days (NSD’s)
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Bargains
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