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Main site > Forums > Household & Travel > Old Style MoneySaving > June 2017 Grocery Challenge
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      zippychick
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    • By zippychick 13th Oct 14, 12:54 PM
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      What's this?

    zippychick
    June 2017 Grocery Challenge
    • #1
    • 13th Oct 14, 12:54 PM
    June 2017 Grocery Challenge 13th Oct 14 at 12:54 PM
    Hi everyone,

    Welcome to the sixth Grocery Challenge of 2017 !!!!

    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 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 request, here is Spiggles wonderful helpful post



    “
    We all have different budgets that suit our households. The most important thing to remember is that you set yours according to your needs and finances. It can take time to get to where you want to be too so don't knock yourself out if you go over in the first few months. We are here to support each other and it is not a competition.

    I thought it might help to outline where we've come from and the top tips I've learned.

    When we started in March 2010 we had spent in excess of £600 in the previous month. This had to stop, (there's only me and him and our two beautiful black cats) something which thankfully my OH completely agreed with so I have been lucky that he has been on board from the start. He gave me his debit card voluntarily and I still keep hold of it until he needs to get something for the home. At the same time we set up a system of pocket money (pm) at £15 each per week which doesn't count towards the GC and which we can each spend as we wish with no comebacks or complaints. OH predominantly uses his pm on his beer and I ferret mine away mostly.

    The next step was to set up my own spreadsheet which is absolutely simple onto which I put all spends so that I have a continuous running total for the month and for the year. We initially set our budget at £280 per month and brought it down to £240 where it resides for most of the year it is occasionally increased to allow for extras e.g. Christmas to £260.

    The important 'tools' we found greatly helped and continue to do so now are:

    Stocktake cupboards, fridge, freezer - make lists and ensure that the older products get used up first. You'll be amazed at what you find squirrelled away and it will help with your shopping list as you'll realise that you don't actually need so much.

    Before you go shopping check staples - running out of milk, bread, butter, etc often leads to going into a shop for one thing and coming out £20 lighter. Always check these and if they'll run out tomorrow buy them the same time as getting other things.

    Always make a shopping list and stick to it - the supermarkets (sm) try every which way to get us to spend so having a list and strong resolve is the only way to beat them.

    Keep every receipt - and then note it down on your spreadsheet/spend diary so that you always know where you are.

    When tempted, ask yourself do you NEED it or just WANT it - now this advice goes with two things. Firstly, the things you see in store when shopping that APPEAR to be bargains - if you hadn't planned spending the money then its not a bargain. Secondly, the sm send us loads of vouchers for £X off a spend of £XX - if you had no NEED to spend £XX then have you SAVED anything???

    Use my supermarket to compare prices (limited to four of the biggies) - The site may be used to actually do an online shop at whichever of the big four offers the best value or, if you have the time and sm availability, to make up lists for visiting each of the stores so that you can purchase all you need at different stores thus getting the best possible value. (I'd add, do a 'shop' virtually on this site and take the list you create on it with you, whichever one you shop at, it will help keep target prices in your head and allow you to spot bargains. MrM is not included but you can do a virtual list on their website so you know what you're going to be spending.)

    Always have a list - this is just as important when shopping online as shopping on foot.

    Use Approved Foods online (with a list!) - if you don't mind out of date things (ood) or you can search for only in date items. The only drawback is storing the goods as far as I can tell. Oh, and watch the delivery as it's done on a scaled charge for weight so keep an eye on it. You can of course do an AF order with friends, family, colleagues or like minded neighbours. Other GCers use Big Br*nds 4 Less too.

    Invest in a breadmaker - we have saved so much by making our own bread. The prices in the shops are extortionate for bread these days. There's loads of advice on this thread and others in the forum on this.

    Use the recipe lists - always posted at the front of a new thread. There are fantastic, tasty, healthy and economical recipes to use on them and there are a number of other threads on the forum such as Weezl's that will help you to eat well on a budget.

    Shop locally - the local greengrocer (or preferably market but I don't have one ) is usually cheaper as an option for fruit and veg (f&v) than the sm. Often the prices may look the same but when you look at the quantity for the same price the greengrocer will be cheaper. The same goes for the local butcher. Often you will have far more variety of meat available, advice on how to cook a particular meat can be offered and there is (for me at least) no comparison in terms of quality. We buy our huge FR eggs there and I'm yet to find an equivalent FR egg in a sm at the same or lower price. Obvioulsy if you have your own chicks/know someone who has chicks you can get them even cheaper again.

    Grow your own - it's quite simple to grow some f&v at home even if it's only in pots on the patio. There are also supportive threads on the forum for this.

    Cook your own - making meals at home from ingredients is far more economical, often tastes better than shop bought and is probably far better healthwise.

    Meal Plan - this is something that others can advise on as we don't do it. I have a tremendous capacity for eating the same food over many days but presented in slightly different form. For example, we could buy £7 worth of brisket from the butchers and eat it as pot roast for a couple of days, sliced for sarnies, sliced with a salad, chucked into a casserole or shredded up and fried as crispy beef.

    Don't waste food - either only make what you need or use any leftovers for other meals/creations or freeze it for another day.

    Withdraw the cash you want to spend - and keep it in a separate purse. This can be particularly effective as you have the money in front of you reducing rather than spending with plastic which is so easy to lose track of. Very useful when you first start out.

    Don't go to the shops to browse - this can only lead to pain and hardship!!!

    Keep posting and reading the thread - there really is no better supportive, wise and inspirational place to be! I think I saw that somebody mentioned forgetting to read/post. I get around this by using the Advanced button to post, below the window where your text is displayed you will see Additional Options. In the Thread Subscription box use the dropdown to select either instant email notification (this is what I use) or daily email notification before you submit your latest post. Then you will get an email into your inbox from which you can click to the thread to see what others are saying.

    Always remember the sm is not your friend - it wants to profit from you and take as much of your money as it can coerce out of you!

    So, there you go as a starting point. Others on here will offer tremendous advice on meal planning. And don't forget, the only silly question is the one you didn't ask!

    See you all later,
    Spigs
    ”
    ”
    For quidelines on posting in this thread please read the second post in this thread.

    For the Grocery challenge Recipe Index please see posts #3, #4, #5 #6 #7 #8 & #9 on this thread (the list is growing!!!!!)

    For everyones totals, see post #10 on this thread

    I hope everyone has a great month!

    Zip
    Last edited by zippychick; 09-05-2017 at 1:05 PM.
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Page 2
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    • By Doom_and_Gloom 19th May 17, 5:27 PM
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      What's this?

    Doom_and_Gloom
    Thank you to those that run this thread. Helps a lot.

    We'll be in for £150 for the month for two adults, food and drink only. Month runs 1st to 30th.
    28 year old vegan woman. My OH is a lovely omni guy

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    • By pamsdish 20th May 17, 3:55 PM
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      What's this?

    pamsdish
    I was going to try and reduce my spends this month, but I am having a house guest for a week or so, not sure how long, so will try to keep to £125.
    OCT£200£106NOV£200CRUISE,DEC£200XMAS.JAN £200=£107FEB£200=£40,MARCH£175=£50
    APRIL£200-£5=£195-£22=£173,-£6=£167,-£28=£139,-£21=£118,-£10= £108

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    • By PennyGrabber 20th May 17, 11:49 PM
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      What's this?

    PennyGrabber
    Hi all,

    I'm so cross with myself! Every month I set my target, and every month I mean to keep adding up what I spend, and every month I get partway through and lose it! I'm guessing I went over in May, but don't know by how much. It's so frustrating!!

    My targets for this month are firstly, to actually keep track (!!) and secondly to stick to my £100 target. Must do it!! I don't want the grocery spends to get out of hand...
    PG x

    Ps - thanks to all of the wonderful people I 'see' on this thread, and especially to those who run it! X
    Grocery challenge for family of three - me, dd(12) and ds(11), feeding dp 2 or 3 x a week too. Only food, not toiletries. Jan £87.97/£100 Feb £0/£100
    Frugal 2018 needed! Saving and NOT spending

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    • By elsiepac 21st May 17, 2:58 AM
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      What's this?

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    June Declaration
    Hi all! June already, can you believe it?!?!

    Thanks as always to Coxy, Zip and lynnejk for doing a sterling job in running the thread and keeping us lot under control!

    OK so I'm still in May at the moment but my June starts on 26 May, so not long to go.

    I'd like to be in for £150 for June please.

    Not quite sure why, but I've planned my first two weeks meals plus my initial stock up shop and the shopping lists for those two weeks...
    As it stands, I'll do an 0cado shop on 26 May which will come to £48.55 unless I can get a £5 off voucher (it will cover all cleaning stuff needed plus loo roll for the month, plus storecupboard stuff such as tinned toms, cashews and olive oil)... plus a shop for the first week which will come to at the MAX £36.82, and the second week shop will be MAX £18.76.

    First weeks meals will be:
    Squash, Orange and Barley salad
    and
    Carrot, Tarragon and White Bean soup
    for lunches

    plus
    Curried Tofu Wraps (chapati wraps)
    and
    Spiced Cauliflower with Chickpeas, Herbs and Pine Nuts
    for dinners

    Second weeks meals will be:
    Crunchy Bulgar Salad
    and
    Squash and Barley Salad with Balsamic dressing
    for lunches

    plus
    Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli Bowl with Tahini dressing
    and
    Sweet Potato and Coconut Curry
    for dinners


    I will have a couple of freezer meals as backup, plus I have enough oats etc for breakfasts for the month.
    I'm a Board Guide on the Old Style, Greenfingered, Energy & Going Out Deals boards which means I'm a volunteer to help the boards run smoothly and I can move and merge threads there. Please remember, board guides don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this) Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
    GC: Nov £0/£165 | Oct £220/£220 | Sep £244.34/£250 | Aug £190.38/£200 | Jul £194.08/£150 | Jun £179.03/£150 | May £158.54/£150 | Apr £316.94/£200 | Mar £170.47/£120 | Feb £199.45/£160
    Vegan 27-8-13

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    • By FoxFace 21st May 17, 7:20 AM
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      What's this?

    FoxFace
    Hi everyone

    You all may not remember me, but I used to hang around here a little bit a few years ago

    I am trying to clear some debt, so although I still stick to a modest budget of £60 per week (and usually manage) I just want that extra kick up the bum to keep me on track.

    I'm a married, working mum of two rapidly growing boys aged 9 and 12 and one Yorkie and we (dog excepted) follow a vegan lifestyle. Our budget suits us just fine (and I often come in under target).

    I'm technically jumping in for June, but as that's only a week away I am going to start now.

    Edit: Menu plan done, time to go shopping! This week I only have £40 left, as I bought some bits yesterday. I have some vouchers as backup if needed

    Lunch
    Basic ramen
    Curried lentil soup
    Tofu scramble on wholewheat toast
    Homemade Hummus sandwiches
    Homemade Tomato soup
    Beans on toast
    Leftovers lunch

    Dinners
    Homemade Lentil sausages, mash, cabbage & carrots
    Sweet Potato pancakes with spinach & Mushrooms
    Baked Potato & Beans
    Wholewheat Pasta with homemade tomato & basil sauce
    Lentil & bean casserole with dumplings
    Tofu satay with wholewheat noodles
    Homemade pizza


    Nice to "see" you all and thanks to those still running the threads
    Fox
    x
    Last edited by FoxFace; 21-05-2017 at 4:53 PM.
    Debt Free Wannabe 21.05.2017
    ~Loan 04/07/17: £5500.00/5028.98p~Credit Card: £4861.51/£4090.68p
    Total Starting Debt = £11,020.01p Currently: £9119.66p
    ~Grocery Challenge: 5 Weeks under budget/1 over~
    Click>Fox's Debt Free Diary ~ Fox's Vegan Recipes<Click

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    • By Tink_04 21st May 17, 9:29 AM
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      What's this?

    Tink_04
    Hi I'm aiming for £250 this month - I have been to the butchers and got enough meat for 2 weeks which should help and I'm really going to try at meal planning t keep us on track - I've gott £215/£250 so far my month runs 20th May to 20th June and is for me DH,2 children ages 7 & 3 and 2 cats!!
    1p savings challenge 2018
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    • By FoxFace 21st May 17, 1:20 PM
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      What's this?

    FoxFace
    Shopping for the week done, £34.70p. Using the £5 for my son's school trip and the 30p is going in my sealed pot
    Debt Free Wannabe 21.05.2017
    ~Loan 04/07/17: £5500.00/5028.98p~Credit Card: £4861.51/£4090.68p
    Total Starting Debt = £11,020.01p Currently: £9119.66p
    ~Grocery Challenge: 5 Weeks under budget/1 over~
    Click>Fox's Debt Free Diary ~ Fox's Vegan Recipes<Click

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    • By YorksLass 21st May 17, 3:12 PM
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      What's this?

    YorksLass
    I'm in again please. As "my" June for two adults will run from May 26 to June 29 (a 5-week month), I'd like to go for £200 - just food (cleaning/household/toiletries from a separate budget).

    Thanks zippychick and Coxy11 for keeping me on track.
    Be kind to others and to yourself too. Life has its ups and downs, use the ups to overcome the downs!
    Apr £76.23/£140 NSDs 11/28 (Jan-Mar £56.48 under budget)

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    • By Makethedayscount 21st May 17, 4:19 PM
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      What's this?

    Makethedayscount
    I'm in for June for £225. Thanks to everyone who runs and contributes to this thread. It has significantly cut down my spending.

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    • By yllek_uk 21st May 17, 8:58 PM
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      What's this?

    yllek_uk
    Hi there I am new around here and thought this would be a great way to get me kickstarted on my moneysaving journey!

    I have no idea what we spend monthly so this month will be a bit of a test I think, there are two of us (with first baby on the way!) and so I am going to say £200!

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    • By FoxFace 21st May 17, 9:10 PM
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      What's this?

    FoxFace
    “
    Hi there I am new around here and thought this would be a great way to get me kickstarted on my moneysaving journey!

    I have no idea what we spend monthly so this month will be a bit of a test I think, there are two of us (with first baby on the way!) and so I am going to say £200!
    Originally posted by yllek_uk ”
    Welcome! This month will hopefully give you an insight into what you are spending! Lots of support and advice on here so good luck!
    Debt Free Wannabe 21.05.2017
    ~Loan 04/07/17: £5500.00/5028.98p~Credit Card: £4861.51/£4090.68p
    Total Starting Debt = £11,020.01p Currently: £9119.66p
    ~Grocery Challenge: 5 Weeks under budget/1 over~
    Click>Fox's Debt Free Diary ~ Fox's Vegan Recipes<Click

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    • By elsiepac 22nd May 17, 11:26 AM
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      What's this?

    elsiepac
    “
    Hi everyone

    You all may not remember me, but I used to hang around here a little bit a few years ago

    I am trying to clear some debt, so although I still stick to a modest budget of £60 per week (and usually manage) I just want that extra kick up the bum to keep me on track.

    I'm a married, working mum of two rapidly growing boys aged 9 and 12 and one Yorkie and we (dog excepted) follow a vegan lifestyle. Our budget suits us just fine (and I often come in under target).

    I'm technically jumping in for June, but as that's only a week away I am going to start now.

    Edit: Menu plan done, time to go shopping! This week I only have £40 left, as I bought some bits yesterday. I have some vouchers as backup if needed

    Lunch
    Basic ramen
    Curried lentil soup
    Tofu scramble on wholewheat toast
    Homemade Hummus sandwiches
    Homemade Tomato soup
    Beans on toast
    Leftovers lunch

    Dinners
    Homemade Lentil sausages, mash, cabbage & carrots
    Sweet Potato pancakes with spinach & Mushrooms
    Baked Potato & Beans
    Wholewheat Pasta with homemade tomato & basil sauce
    Lentil & bean casserole with dumplings
    Tofu satay with wholewheat noodles
    Homemade pizza


    Nice to "see" you all and thanks to those still running the threads
    Fox
    x
    Originally posted by FoxFace ”
    hi Fox

    I'm vegan too and just had to say I'm loving your meal plan!

    Would you share some recipes please?
    I'm interested in:
    - Basic ramen
    - Homemade lentil sausages
    - Sweet potato pancakes
    - Lentil and bean casserole (can neverhave too many casserole recipes!
    - Tofu satay

    Sorry to bombard you and thanks in advance!!
    I'm a Board Guide on the Old Style, Greenfingered, Energy & Going Out Deals boards which means I'm a volunteer to help the boards run smoothly and I can move and merge threads there. Please remember, board guides don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this) Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
    GC: Nov £0/£165 | Oct £220/£220 | Sep £244.34/£250 | Aug £190.38/£200 | Jul £194.08/£150 | Jun £179.03/£150 | May £158.54/£150 | Apr £316.94/£200 | Mar £170.47/£120 | Feb £199.45/£160
    Vegan 27-8-13

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    • By FoxFace 22nd May 17, 11:52 AM
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      What's this?

    FoxFace
    “
    hi Fox

    I'm vegan too and just had to say I'm loving your meal plan!

    Would you share some recipes please?
    Originally posted by elsiepac ”
    Hi Elsie

    I don't usually use recipes unfortunately, I tend to just take what I have in, look at flavour profiles and make it up as I go... but I will take notes as I make each meal if you would like, and pop them on here?

    Hope that's okay
    Fox
    x
    Debt Free Wannabe 21.05.2017
    ~Loan 04/07/17: £5500.00/5028.98p~Credit Card: £4861.51/£4090.68p
    Total Starting Debt = £11,020.01p Currently: £9119.66p
    ~Grocery Challenge: 5 Weeks under budget/1 over~
    Click>Fox's Debt Free Diary ~ Fox's Vegan Recipes<Click

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    • By claireyfairy82 22nd May 17, 12:21 PM
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      What's this?

    claireyfairy82
    Can you put me down for £300 for June please.


    I've been really inconsistant this year at keeping an eye on my budgeting and my main focus hasn't been the food shopping which has spiralled out of control again! I'm horrified at how much I have spent so far in May and can't even look at April, plus side my freezers and cupboards are groaning with food so it will be very reasonable for me to significantly reduce my food shopping to an acceptable level again. I should only need to buy fresh veggies, fridge stuff (cold meat, cheese yoghurt etc) and breakfast cereal.


    Does anyone else have children that eat breakfast cereal as a snack? A box only lasts about 2 days at a push in my house.
    JAN - £208.56/£250 NSD-8
    FEB - £121.51/£200 NSD- 1
    Penny a day challenge #001: £200.79/£667.95

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    • By elsiepac 22nd May 17, 12:53 PM
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      What's this?

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    “
    Hi Elsie

    I don't usually use recipes unfortunately, I tend to just take what I have in, look at flavour profiles and make it up as I go... but I will take notes as I make each meal if you would like, and pop them on here?

    Hope that's okay
    Fox
    x
    Originally posted by FoxFace ”
    That would be great, thanks!
    I'm a Board Guide on the Old Style, Greenfingered, Energy & Going Out Deals boards which means I'm a volunteer to help the boards run smoothly and I can move and merge threads there. Please remember, board guides don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this) Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
    GC: Nov £0/£165 | Oct £220/£220 | Sep £244.34/£250 | Aug £190.38/£200 | Jul £194.08/£150 | Jun £179.03/£150 | May £158.54/£150 | Apr £316.94/£200 | Mar £170.47/£120 | Feb £199.45/£160
    Vegan 27-8-13

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    • By Budgetbabe 22nd May 17, 5:35 PM
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      What's this?

    Budgetbabe
    Hi everyone,

    I'm a forum newbie (longterm lurker), and would love to join your challenge for June please.

    We are 2 adults (with a little one due to make an appearance any day now!), and I would love to improve our spending and gain a little bit of control where it comes to the household budget.

    We managed to spend over £300 so far in May (hides face) , and I would really like to reduce this to a much more realistic figure for June.
    So please set my first months target as £250 for June.
    This will include all household food, cleaning products, toiletries and items for the little one.

    Hope that's ok

    BBx

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      FoxFace
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    • FoxFace
    • By FoxFace 22nd May 17, 5:55 PM
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      What's this?

    FoxFace
    “
    Hi everyone,

    I'm a forum newbie (longterm lurker), and would love to join your challenge for June please.

    We are 2 adults (with a little one due to make an appearance any day now!), and I would love to improve our spending and gain a little bit of control where it comes to the household budget.

    We managed to spend over £300 so far in May (hides face) , and I would really like to reduce this to a much more realistic figure for June.
    So please set my first months target as £250 for June.
    This will include all household food, cleaning products, toiletries and items for the little one.

    Hope that's ok

    BBx
    Originally posted by Budgetbabe ”

    Welcome and good luck
    Fox
    x
    Debt Free Wannabe 21.05.2017
    ~Loan 04/07/17: £5500.00/5028.98p~Credit Card: £4861.51/£4090.68p
    Total Starting Debt = £11,020.01p Currently: £9119.66p
    ~Grocery Challenge: 5 Weeks under budget/1 over~
    Click>Fox's Debt Free Diary ~ Fox's Vegan Recipes<Click

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    • User avatar
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      FoxFace
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    • FoxFace
    • By FoxFace 22nd May 17, 9:16 PM
    • 238 Posts
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      What's this?

    FoxFace
    NSD for me today, I don't really have a goal for this as I work from home and don't really leave the house to spend money I'm also so busy constantly that I'm kind of used to planning ahead by now too...

    For lunch today we had a homemade curried lentil soup and for dinner we had sweet potato pancakes, which were amazing.

    I made a thread for my recipes, as I pretty much only ever make things from scratch and don't write these things down... hopefully by sharing I can help others and also check back when I have no inspiration for menu planning.
    Debt Free Wannabe 21.05.2017
    ~Loan 04/07/17: £5500.00/5028.98p~Credit Card: £4861.51/£4090.68p
    Total Starting Debt = £11,020.01p Currently: £9119.66p
    ~Grocery Challenge: 5 Weeks under budget/1 over~
    Click>Fox's Debt Free Diary ~ Fox's Vegan Recipes<Click

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      allmannerofthings
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    • allmannerofthings
    • By allmannerofthings 23rd May 17, 4:15 PM
    • 94 Posts
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      What's this?

    allmannerofthings
    I'd like to set my target at £240 again please. I failed abysmally in May, but I'm not beating myself up as it was my first time. Keeping a record has been so helpful and I realise now where a lot of the food spend has been going, namely takeaways and the corner shop. I'm carrying on over on the May thread until the end of the month, but will be back here to do better in the shiny new month of June
    Mortgage March 2017 borrowed £115,000. Balance April 2018 £103227.50
    Overpayments 2018 £1000/Target £3500

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      allmannerofthings
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    • allmannerofthings
    • By allmannerofthings 23rd May 17, 4:57 PM
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      What's this?

    allmannerofthings
    “

    First weeks meals will be:
    Squash, Orange and Barley salad
    and
    Carrot, Tarragon and White Bean soup
    for lunches

    plus
    Curried Tofu Wraps (chapati wraps)
    and
    Spiced Cauliflower with Chickpeas, Herbs and Pine Nuts
    for dinners

    Second weeks meals will be:
    Crunchy Bulgar Salad
    and
    Squash and Barley Salad with Balsamic dressing
    for lunches

    plus
    Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli Bowl with Tahini dressing
    and
    Sweet Potato and Coconut Curry
    for dinners


    I will have a couple of freezer meals as backup, plus I have enough oats etc for breakfasts for the month.
    Originally posted by elsiepac ”
    Hi Elsiepac, I'm intrigued by your menus - do you mostly eat the same thing all week? I sometimes cook something that we have twice or three times, but I'm interested in taking that further, particularly with lunches. I completely lack lunchtime inspiration!
    Mortgage March 2017 borrowed £115,000. Balance April 2018 £103227.50
    Overpayments 2018 £1000/Target £3500

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