Grocery Challenge - Week One

4. February 2010, 1:55 pmgrocerieslightening
Example of an American grocery store aisle.
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Now that February has begun, my new budget has clicked in to play.  As has my grocery challenge.

This month all I’m trying to do is TRACK what we’re spending on groceries.

I really can’t set myself any goals or challenges until I KNOW what we’re already spending.

As it turns out, I’m beginning the challenge with a well stocked freezer and pantry which should help.  It also means I need to take that into account when considering how much it is costing us in groceries.  One thing I would like to do is to set aside $50 each month toward the cost of our 1/2 cow.  We seem to get one about once a year and the cost is around $500 so that will give me the cash all ready for the next one plus enough to get a couple of sheep butchered as well.

BUT, we’ll see how we go.

For now I have allocated $150 for groceries.

I found an old little coin purse which should work well for our grocery money.

I’m a little bit peeved that our local supermarket has just instated a new “no cash out” rule.  My plan *was* going to be to do the weekly shop and take the “change” from $150 out in cash.  Now I’m going to have to be a little bit more organised and go to the bank first.

Anyway, so far this week:

Spent: $72.45

Leaves: $77.55

I know I’ll need to buy milk and fruit tomorrow when I go through town (they get fresh fruit and veg on a Thursday so when I know I’m going back through, I leave some of my stuff until then to buy).

Unless something goes drastically wrong, I think I’ll make it “within” the $150 this week.  Nice way to start. :)

EDITED TO ADD:

Second shop came to $15.70

Spent: $88.15

Leaves: $61.85 which stays in my “grocery” purse for future use if needed.

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4 comments:

  1. Linda, 5. February 2010, 11:41

    A well stocked pantry works for weeks that go up and down. I have found I have been able to cope with having to drive somewhere for something you can only get by driving there, like canaries for example, long story, by having stocked cupboards and freezer. I have done this by ordering up big on Chrisco mostly.

    During the normal times apart from dried peas, beans and lots of sauces etc. I don’t do that. That way my groceries should be a similar amount each week. I let the freezer run down etc.

    I am lucky though, a green grocer drives here 1 1/2 hours through a freight company and delivers my fruit and bread etc. and eggs. It makes a lot of difference not having to go out seperately for them. However, now we have less kids in the house, I am finding things easier.

    The cash out thing is annoying. I like having a little bit of cash before I shop because by the time I finish shopping, I just want to drink my coke, turn on the air conditioning and do the big drive home.

    I don’t have a atm from my bank where I shop, so have to stop in town here before I leave, but I just want to get on the road.

    Would a Christmas club help with saving for the cow? They let you take it out for about a month. You can have direct debits for Christmas clubs so don’t have to do any work.

     
  2. Kelley, 5. February 2010, 20:58

    $150! Oh how I wish! Most nights we have a ring in for dinner, ANOTHER ravenous teen to feed.

    I have no idea how much I spend on groceries and I fear it would make me weep if I did. But I do try to stay under $20 for dinner.

     
  3. PlanningQueen, 5. February 2010, 22:11

    I am in the process of reassessing how much we spend on groceries at the moment. Like Kellie, I would love for it to be only $150, but don’t think that I could possibly keep it that low. Congratulations - that is some achievement!!!

     
  4. cathy, 6. February 2010, 9:55

    Hello there
    In a way having a well stocked pantry can be a problem - you’ve already noticed you aren’t truly spending for the week as a lot of the goods are already there - so for those who buy in bulk it can be hard to assess how much you spend per week. Like you are about to do, one year I tried recording all purchases in that field - it was very time consuming as well as very revealing.
    I agree its taking the time to save for the big items (like your half a carcass) that is the worry especially if other things crop up along the way.
    You know even now after all those years I wouldn’t be able to say how much I’d spend in the supermarket ‘weekly’. Not such a problem in our case as theres just the two of us and I’m careful but I do grimace when I get the total after a large shop. If you aren’t in the supermarket each week you certainly notice that things are going up each month
    Take care
    Cathy

     

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