We're halfway through January already, so I thought I would have a bit of a catch up of the shopping that I have done up to now this month, check my diary where I am keeping totals, and also count the money in my bag to see if it matches up and that I have left to see me through the rest of the month. As you can see from the top photo out of my monthly £50 allowance I have a total of £17.71 left to spend, not too bad and if I am careful I think that I am on track for a good month.
I shopped for the first time on the 3rd and spent a total of £8.60, that's pictured
on THIS post.
4th Rivington Services - £1.59
Then I had to dip into my money again when we were at the services as I needed a bottle of water. I don't like paying service station prices for things really, but needs must occasionally.
We had gone to visit Mum and I only had one bottle of sparkling water to take with us. I usually buy a pack of six small bottles of San Pellegrino every six months and then refill them from either a big bottle of sparkling water or from the tap for travelling in the car. But I had thrown one away as it was in a bit of a state (aren't we all) not realising that I only had one left.
Oh well, we were thirsty and we paid the price. 😄
9th Booths - £8.95
Then when we went shopping on the 9th, along with yet another loaf of bread, and a birthday card for my brother I bought my next pack of six so I don't have to buy an individual bottle again.
9th Aldi - £1.15
Also on the 9th as I was in Aldi with Alan, I treated myself to a pack of crumpets.
They are now split and in the freezer in two-crumpet sized portions, so they should last me a while.
Of course the odd one had to be sampled along with a cup of coffee. 😄
12th Sainsbury's - £12
Finally to get us right up to date, I went to Sainsbury's at the start of this week to get my brother a card off my Mum, and happily the tissues are still on offer. I had managed to get through over half of the last lot of eight boxes over the Christmas and New Year lurgy period. Thank goodness I had bought them when I did.
This sort of bargain are the reason I have given myself an extra ten pounds each month, it's always nice to have some spare money when a real bargain is available.
I have a very small shopping list up to now for this weekend, so I think I will be able to stay easily under a £10 spend.
Sue xx
😊
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy. :-)
DeleteThat’s amazing
ReplyDeleteI pop to my local Waitrose in Fulham for a pint of milk and manage to spend £20 every time
Alice
It's so easy to do just that isn't it. I have to be very focused at the moment.
DeleteHi Sue
ReplyDeleteI am an 84 year old woman living with my husband in a small community (Pleasant View) in Utah. (not a Mormon) I have been following you for a few months and I have wanted to leave a comment about how much I enjoy your blog. It's one of the first things I look at each morning. My ancestors were English/Scottish and I really like hearing about your way of life. There are some things that I had to look up, like what is a crumpet. I have two children, five grandchildren and eight greats. I am an animal lover like you, many dogs and cats over the years. I also wanted to thank you for telling us about Rewilding Jude - love it
best wishes
Paula
What a lovely comment, thank you Paula. We seem to have so much in common.
DeleteCrumpets are a very northern thing, and are known by other names all over the UK. They were originally popular hundreds of years ago as they can be cooked over an open fire on a griddle. The main difference between a crumpet and say a bun of some description, is that they are made from a batter rather than a dough. I have to admit to never having tried to make them myself, although I do possess Alan's Scottish Grannies 'girdle' as a griddle is called over the border. For a small country we have a lot of name differences don't we!!
It sounds like you are doing very well with your grocery spending and budget. I'm glad you were able to stock up on the tissues when they went on sale. I'm planning to order some groceries today; it will be my second shop of the month.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked at how quickly I used up so much of my original tissue stockpile, and very relieved to see them still on offer. You've done well only being on to your second shop by the middle of the month.
DeleteImpressive! I do like those Warburtons crumpets. (Or "English muffins," as we call them.) Seems like I spend £20 every time I turn around, so I'm in awe.
ReplyDeleteGosh do you, more name differences!
DeleteEnglish muffins, known in England as Breakfast Muffins are made from a dough rather than a batter, and are pretty stodgy (in my opinion), I much prefer the lightness of crumpets. Now I set you the challenge of buying a pack of each, Warburtons make both, and having a taste test. :-)
Well done you. Great work keeping to your small budget.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It's small but it seems to be working up to now. I have to survive six months if I can, to avoid dipping into my savings which I need for the renovations.
DeleteWell done 👍crumpets are always good to have aren't they. I like mine toasted with jam 😋
ReplyDeleteAngie
At the moment I seem to be in a butter only phase, I used to eat them with jam though.
DeleteThese crumpets are so handy-savoury with Marmite or sweet with jam-yummy. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm in the 'Hate' camp for Marmite, so it's usually just butter for me on my crumpets at the moment.
DeleteI always buy Warburtons crumpets too, just butter or very occasionally honey😀
ReplyDeleteThose tissues are the best too imho
Alison in Devon x
I do find they are tastier than Aldi's own brand. Yes, these are the only tissues I use now. 🙂
DeleteThose Warburtons crumpets are 25p in Home Bargains today. I do like a crumpet so I'm not sure why we didn't buy a packet (probably too loaded down with charity shop clobber!) xxx
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a bargain, I could have had four packs for nearly the same price. 🤔
DeleteI don't know how you manage on so little. I live alone (ok, with 4 cats, who eat a chunk of the budget!), but still have to buy stuff - fresh fruit and veg each week, Granola, cheese, teabags (have Earl Grey, so when it's on offer will buy 2 packs), loo rolls, sugar, flours, yoghurt, stock cubes, washing up liquid, washing machine liquid, baked beans, meat (not much) and yes, some treats too. This week's bill was £57.26. I have a good store cupboard and a fullish freezer. The previous week all my curry making stuff (curry paste/powder/mango chutney) needed replacing all at once. I think I must be living a little too luxuriously.
ReplyDeleteI've written many times about the exclusions to my weekly budget, for instance using smol washing pods that come quarterly direct, Alan buying Ginger's food as he feeds him etc etc. By buying things when they are on offer, such as the tissues and toilet rolls, it takes them out of my week to week budget. Toiletries were once again topped up by my Christmas presents off Alan, and will be added to on my birthday. I still have a store cupboard of things from last year and the year before that, that need to be used up. Hopefully, before we move house. 😀
DeleteP.S. In my defence, I do cater for my family regularly, and that makes a difference. I usually stock up on things when I have one spare or pack left.
ReplyDeleteYes, that would dramatically change things. We usually eat out if family stay over, and that is very rare occurrence.
Delete