I've started this year purposefully doing a lot less shopping.
Although I'm not doing a Challenge as such I am being mindful about what I spend on food this year and have given myself a budget to try and keep inside of. Each month a couple of days after payday I am drawing out £100 in cash and having that in my purse to pay for my shopping each week, it's oh to easy to spend more when all you flash at the checkout is a credit or debit card.
This year cash is king. ♔
The top photo shows what I bought last week, it was all I needed to make a meal I planned for us both last weekend, and to keep me in eggs for the rest of the month.
I spent a total of £9.05.
And this is what I have just bought for this week.
I stocked up on the toilet rolls as they were on offer with £3.30 off each pack. I've found that although these are a bit more expensive than some others they work out better value for me overall. I tend to go through one roll a week so that should see me through for at least three months. It will be interesting to check back here next time I need to purchase some and see exactly how long they have lasted me..
This week I have spent £28.74, so I am already under budget which is good. I have decided that any money over from my monthly £100 will be tipped into my little drawer and used as and when it is needed when my stores of food start to run low ... or if I come across another good offer like the toilet rolls and have already spent that weeks cash.
It's starting to look a bit like a Challenge ... old habits die hard!!
Sue xx
Puff pastry. Minor rant - I think they should put the size of prerolled sheets on the packet. Not all brands do. Last xmas I measured and noted the size of the Tesco one. This year I bought a pack, confident it was a big enough for my pie dish... and found it is now smaller.
ReplyDeleteOoh, that is naughty shrinkflation. 😠
DeleteHave you thought of trying to buy toilet rolls from the company ‘who gives a crap’ ? Strange name I know, but they work out cheaper than the ones you buy from the shops. I buy the more luxury ones and they are £38.40 for 24 rolls which if I’ve worked it out correctly, is cheaper than the ones in your photo. I realise it doesn’t fit in with your cash only idea but thought I’d mention it in case you haven’t heard of them.
ReplyDeleteYes, I bought and used them for six months a few years ago when we lived in Wales. Neither of us liked them at all and found they shredded easily, and got used up twice as quickly. We donated the last of the box to the Foodbank and went back to regular toilet rolls.
DeleteThese rolls which are usually £13.30 for the equivalent of 18 rolls, so £26.60 for 36 are therefore cheaper as well as being much better quality. The only downside is the plastic wrapper, but that gets recycled. ♻️
I'm trying to use more cash this year too, rather that a debit card, but it's difficult when all the local banks have vanished. I have to try to remember when I'm near the post office to pop in there and draw my pocket money from the cash desk. It's so much easier to resist spending when it's cash from your purse isn't it!
ReplyDeleteYou've made a great start with the shopping Sue. BTW hasn't the price of salmon shot up :0(
Angie x
Luckily we have a couple of cash dispensers in town, so I just use the one outside Sainsbury's to get my money out once a month.
DeleteTo be honest I understand why fish and eggs are so expensive, so while I'm eating them I will pay the price. Obviously if I saw a yellow sticker I would be happier. 😁
I know people have to eat but when I see a full price chicken on sale for less than a fiver it upsets me. All of my girls lives were worth so much more to them. 🐔🐓
My husband prefers cash too and uses the cashpoint near The Men’s Shed to draw cash each week. I do the online delivery shopping so that’s on the debit card. I’m out to lunch today with a group so have cash ready to pay my share. Catriona
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be able to use debit and credit cards online, but cash in smaller establishments isn't it and better for everyone concerned.
DeleteSue I am a little confused. Are you drawing £100 for the month or week?? I live alone and think I am spending at least £70 per week!
ReplyDeleteI'm drawing out £100 per month, to be used over the course of that month. So in my head it averages out at £25 a week. After doing many Challenges over the years where I've lived on 50p a day, £1 a day, £10 a week etc for food ... £25 seems a good amount and will include food and cleaning supplies.
DeleteDon't forget to leave a name if you have to comment as Anonymous. 🙂
Wow, as always I'm in awe of your ability to limit your food spend sensibly. Like one of the comments above, my m in law ( widow, 85) spends on average £60 a week on her supermarket shopping. Salmon still feels a good buy despite price rises, never any waste .
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Oh don't be in awe ... I tend to let things all go to pot every once in a while!! We will soon find out if this £100 figure is a sensible one and one that I can stick to. :-)
DeleteLess shopping - both going less and buying less by writing a list and sticking to it - is definitely the way to go for me to build up my savings again. And yes it is looking like a Challenge, Sue!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes, I definintely need to stay AWAY from the shops. I am just about to write the post that will go up on Wednesday ... I didn't stay away, I got tempted and led astray yesterday!!
DeleteMaybe I need a Willpower Challenge. :-)
Since we moved smack dab out into the middle of the country (Iowa) we find the price of salmon to be horribly high, especially the pacific salmon that we used to be able to buy right off the boat when we lived in Washington state. I have to go into “the city” to Whole Foods and buy it to get good fresh pacific salmon. Last year I used my Christmas bonus then served it very carefully over the year.
ReplyDeleteSue, whether we call it a challenge or not, I think we are living in challenging times that may become more so. It behooves all of us to try and use our resources with consideration and restraint. You are just leading by example.
I love the thought and care you put into household planning and really appreciate you sharing this window into your life.
~Carol
Also- I budget $40 a week for two of us, which is about £31. But I have a fully stocked larder & freezer that I’m trying to eat down. So this week I only bought dairy and produce. ~Carol
DeleteYes Carol, I agree we are all living through some challenging times aren't we. Spending your bonus on the salmon and then eating it with care throughout the year makes it a lovely treat item, what a good idea.
DeleteYou do really well on that budget, I doubt I could manage if Alan was included in even a double budget amount and ate with me, he eats such a lot of meat it would cost me a fortune. Luckily he does all his own shopping ... oh and there may be a lot of cakes involved in his purchases too!! No wonder he likes to do his own shopping. :-)
Shopping less here and trying to stick to items on sale is the way I am hopefully going to keep our food budget lower. This year I am actually keeping track of what I just spend on food as well minus the cleaning supplies, over the counter meds, and paper products. Next year I will work on the paper products.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Shopping less is definitely the way to spend less isn't it, just nipping to the shop 'for a look' or to pick up one or two items is always lethal for me ... as you will see on next Wednesday's post!
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ReplyDeleteTwenty five pounds per week will be a breeze for you Sue with the wealth of experience per your previous challenges:) Food prices here are shocking, yes costs are rising but I feel as though our Supermarkets are taking advantage and making more profits than they should:(
They are definitely taking the p*ss at the moment. Aldi is making a big thing about lowering prices, but they are STILL a lot higher than they were this time last year. The shareholders are the only ones that are happy.
DeleteYou're brilliant at challenges so I bet sticking to your budget will be a breeze. We've been really luck with Lidl Waste Not boxes recently so haven't needed to buy much (ther than booze!) I keep on at Jon to reassess the loo roll, we seem to get through ours at an alarming rate, buying cheap is false economy. xxx
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any of the Magic Bags or bargain boxes here on our town, I guess our branches are just too small. All the supermarkets do donate to the local church run Foodbank though, including any fresh products that are over on a Sunday night ready for the Monday Foodbank Club, so I am happy about that.
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