We are into the second week of August and already I have been shopping four times, slightly excessive perhaps. But I guess having a 'no shopping' challenge last month, even if it only lasted 10 days, has made me want to shop all the more straight after.
It was not the effect I was going for, but I have been having fun ... yes I like shopping for food. I shop for little else these day, well apart from books. 😄
Last week I spent a total of £48.23, but this week is slightly better. The first shopping trip pictured above was from Aldi and cost me a total of £13.83
My receipt.
Then yesterday I had to go to Sainsbury's for some things for Mum. I managed to spend £16.97 on food for me. Don't ask me why I bought a 2kg bag of rice when I already have so much in the cupboard, but it was a good price and before I knew it I had put it into my trolley.
So a total spend this week of £30.80 ... oops!! 😄
Looking at the cash left in my bag, I have £20.97 to last me until the end of the month if I want to stay in budget, and I do, I really do.
I have to ask, do you find these shopping posts interesting? Or is it getting a bit too much of the same thing? I'm just curious.
Ginger, making the most of a couple of hours of sunshine the other day. He was in such a deep sleep I found myself checking if he was still breathing a couple of times. He was ... phew!!
Sue xx
I'm enjoying the shopping posts - it's good to see what different supermarkets offer and compare prices but also your enthusiasm often gives me a gentle to push to up my food management game a bit, because I do mine and my m in laws shopping every week and get a bit fed up with it 😉😀 Also, because we all have to eat to live, food is a subject that we've all got in common.
ReplyDeleteMy lovely Yorkie girl is getting old and I often check if she's still breathing when deeply asleep x
Alison in Wales x
It's really worrying when the older pets are in such a deep sleep isn't it. I sometimes have a little panic and poke him ... then I feel guilty at the look he gives me!!
DeleteI enjoy them too Sue
ReplyDeleteMy financial circumstances are very different now that I am a widow , and having once been a Waitrose only shopper I am now enjoying seeing how little I can spend at Aldi/ Lidl, whilst still have a range of good food
S
I used to love being a Waitrose shopper, there's none that close to us here but we are blessed with a Booths which is very similar, and equally as hard on the purse. :-)
DeleteI am loving seeing your food shops. I think you are doing well. It’s possible that I’m a little jealous of how well you are doing on a modest amount each month but that could be because I live in France and food is more expensive.
ReplyDeleteI'm only doing so well because I still have quite a lot of things in the food cupboard and a relatively healthy freezer ... although there is actually some space in there now. French food is expensive but it is fantastic quality isn't it.
DeleteForgot to leave my name after above message. I am another Susan
ReplyDeleteThank you for that. xx
DeleteLove that you share your food budget and cooking with us, it highlights many ways of discussing the subject. Now we are retired we pop in to Aldi, Lidl, M&S and occasionally but rarely the large supermarkets, we are fortunate to have an excellent local butcher and a twice weekly market to buy vegetables and of course cheese. Thanx for your blog. Jan in Castle Gresley
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback. I think finding out about other people's shopping habits is fascinating. 😃
DeleteI enjoy that you share your food and book shopping with us. I had £11 in vouchers for M and S so did our food shop in there-BIG mistake. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI've got £8 in M&S vouchers, I need to buy some sensible things with them, and try not to be tempted with things that I don't really need.
Delete😄
I love to see what you have bought and what you do with your food. It gives me the incentive to eat more healthier.
ReplyDeleteNice to know, thank you. I 'll carry on sharing then. :-)
DeleteI like seeing what you buy. I wish we had the Quorn Ham here. We have some Quorn products but that that. Also the Linda McCarthey foods look good. I think it's fun to see what you buy and eat and you do so very frugally.
ReplyDeleteThe Quorn ham is great, a bit processed to have too often, but every now and then it's good. Yes, the Linda McCartney things are pretty tasty and have remained very standard over the years. My favourites are the Lincolnshire style sausages and the sausage rolls.
DeleteGroceries are expensive here in US and while this is not a significant issue for me (yet) with only two to feed, I feel very bad for families and those with very limited income. It seems almost every item in the store costs over £4 - including a loaf of whole wheat bread or a jar of organic tomato sauce. Last week's shopping cost me £157. I usually try to spend less than £115, but it isn't easy. And, frankly, our fruit and veg are not impressive--often tasteless and quick to go bad. There are no Aldi's near me (closest one is 35 miles--one way) which makes it not quite economical to make that run. It's really no wonder why I hate grocery shopping. And yet, I enjoy yours. Lol
ReplyDeleteNow I feel guilty for showing you what you can't have. 😬 🤣
DeleteThirty five miles to Aldi is a once in a month outing at the most, and even then I guess, only if you have something else to do in that direction.
I think it depends on what one buys and where one lives. I live in the US and spend on average 175USD/137GBP a month for two. I get most of my produce at an ethnic grocery store and the basic stuff at Aldi. I rarely buy processed or canned food and we enjoy our healthy meals.
DeleteI enjoy your food and shopping posts very much and hope you continue with them. Thank you for taking the time to photograph your meals and shopping. Jessica
I think it really does depend on where you live and how you eat. Especially in as big a country as America where prices and taxes vary so much from state to state.
DeleteI've noticed if I buy ready prepared foods (or something like alcohol) my overall cost per shop is much higher. This year is teaching me so much just by recording what I buy.
I enjoy your shopping posts. And I find it interesting to see what is available at other supermarkets.
ReplyDeleteGinger looks perfectly comfortable lying in the sunshine. My (sweet but dim) cat has taken to sleeping on the hob!
Oh gosh, that would worry me something rotten. 😬😬😬
DeleteYou can probably tell from the comments above that many of us find your budget food shopping always interesting and the fact that you include photos and prices ( and occasionally and very honestly fall off the budgeting wagon ! ) makes it all the more so. Please continue! x
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback. I was honestly thinking that everyone would be fed up to the back teeth of my shopping and food ramblings. 😄
Deletei find your blog very interesting and entertaining, please carry on x
ReplyDeleteOh I'm definitely carrying on, I just wondered if anyone was still finding it interesting, and it seems the answer is a definite 'yes'. 😀
DeleteI enjoy your food and shopping posts. I’m feeding two adults and 3 small children, and I feel like you keep me motivated and more importantly, mindful! I’m terrible for food shopping for ‘fun’, and spending the entire month’s budget in the first week and we really can’t afford to do that! Jenny x
ReplyDeleteFood shopping for fun is a dangerous thing isn't it ... I love it. 😄
DeleteI might treat myself to a 'fun', chuck in what I fancy shop for Christmas. 😀
Sorry I have been so AWOL, bit of a digital detox and all the better for it 🙂
ReplyDeleteI love ALL your posts so please do not change anything unless it is what you want / need. I do the same as you with foods that are on offer and have a huge shelf life. I rationalise that if it is an item I would buy anyway then it makes sense to buy when cheaper, even if it messes up that particular month's budget.
The photo of Ginger is priceless - it shows how deeply he was asleep because he's gone all flat & deflated 🥰
A digital detox can be good for the soul can't it. Especially with all the cr*p online at the moment.
DeleteI think the posts are working well for me. It gets complicated when I'm getting stuff for Mum and it all gets muddled on the receipt, hence some photos showing prices and some showing food and then a receipt, but overall it works out
Yes, I truly find your food/shopping/budget posts really interesting - please don't stop . . . xx
ReplyDeleteI'm getting the message that everyone wants to carry on seeing my shopping. I will carry on. 😀
DeleteI really enjoy these shopping posts! They challenge and encourage me. I wish we had your prices! In the U.S. those same items would be double what you paid!
ReplyDeleteWe are very lucky with some of our food prices, but they are continually rising, especially the fresh stuff.
DeleteI'm another one who loves your food and shopping posts, although I don't seem to have time to comment on some of them now! Please carry on, Sue, they are funny and inspirational too :)
ReplyDeleteAngie x
It's nice to know that do many of you are finding them useful and entertaining. Thanks Angie. xx
DeleteLove those food and shopping posts ... they in inspire me ! - Madelyne
ReplyDeleteAww ... thank you.
DeleteSome times I wish blogging had been around when I was raising my boys. Having some one to read about with tips etc would have been great.
I always love your shopping posts Sue and never tire of seeing your purchases that you are able to buy from different supermarkets:) Gorgeous photo of Ginger😻
ReplyDeleteHe's a beauty isn't he, a great big dopey beauty. 🐱
DeleteI, too, enjoy reading your grocery shopping posts and seeing what you bought and how much you paid. I live in one of the bigger cities in California and I have a grocery budget (for food items, only, no household products) of $100/78 British Pounds per month. Pet food and household products have their own budgets. I generally shop every two weeks.
ReplyDeleteYes, the petfood is outside of my budget too, thank goodness. Ginger's food is £54 a month!!
DeleteIt's a good job he's gorgeous. 😀