The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The post that started it all.....
|
This is the post that started it all. Wendy posted how grocery shopping made her smile, and the response from Cheapskaters was, and continues to be, amazing. So amazing in fact that we've decided to share Wendy's weekly challenge with everyone in the Bright Ideas to Save You Money newsletter.
I know how Wendy feels. No one believes my grocery bill either, even when I show them the dockets and the spreadsheet. I've even been accused of starving my family, and believe me when I say there is no way they would let me get away with not feeding them. $300 a month can be done. It is being done, by Cheapskaters all over the country. Enjoy Wendy's challenge. You'll need to be a Platinum member to login and follow the challenges and join the conversation each week. |
"Food shopping made me smile....."
Today was the day I did my monthly supermarket shop. I had already been to the butchers last week and got enough meat to last until well after Christmas. Saturday I ducked into Aldi to pick up a few things that are cheaper there than Coles.
So with $134 left out of my $300 food budget I scanned my shopping list and crossed out anything that could wait until next month. I estimated my bill would be about $98 with the remainder needed for weekly milk, fruit and veg trips.
Off I went to the supermarket hoping I could keep within budget. Up and down the aisles I went trying to get the cheapest brand for each item (unit pricing makes it so easy). When I was standing in line to pay for the groceries I noticed the lady next to me with all her fancy brand names. I looked at my trolley - lots of white packaging (no name) and I smiled to myself. I'm not mesmerized by the tricks of the marketing departments of food companies.
When I got home and unpacked my groceries, I realised I had bought everything no name except dried ginger and curry powder (no name is available but it has no flavour). I smiled to myself again.
Then I filled up all my containers with the ingredients I will be making many things with. Oh what a good feeling. And I smiled again.
What a joy it is to do the food shopping. For me it is not a chore but a pleasure to provide good food for my family.
By the way, I just added up my dockets. The bill came in at $83.30. Under budget. And yes, I'm smiling again.
So with $134 left out of my $300 food budget I scanned my shopping list and crossed out anything that could wait until next month. I estimated my bill would be about $98 with the remainder needed for weekly milk, fruit and veg trips.
Off I went to the supermarket hoping I could keep within budget. Up and down the aisles I went trying to get the cheapest brand for each item (unit pricing makes it so easy). When I was standing in line to pay for the groceries I noticed the lady next to me with all her fancy brand names. I looked at my trolley - lots of white packaging (no name) and I smiled to myself. I'm not mesmerized by the tricks of the marketing departments of food companies.
When I got home and unpacked my groceries, I realised I had bought everything no name except dried ginger and curry powder (no name is available but it has no flavour). I smiled to myself again.
Then I filled up all my containers with the ingredients I will be making many things with. Oh what a good feeling. And I smiled again.
What a joy it is to do the food shopping. For me it is not a chore but a pleasure to provide good food for my family.
By the way, I just added up my dockets. The bill came in at $83.30. Under budget. And yes, I'm smiling again.
How I shop for $300 a month......
After a few questions as to how I keep my food budget to $300 a month, I thought it might be helpful if I post my handy hints and encourage others to take up the challenge. It would be great if people could post their progress - as we are all in it together.
If there is something on sale that we use, I buy a few of.
When it comes to buying meat, it has to be less than $8 kg except fish - $10 - $12 kg.
Silverside is cheap at $5 - $6 kg. When I get home I always cut it in half, put in freezer bags and freeze. Each piece is enough for 2 adults and 2 children. I do the same for roasts.
When I buy trays of budget steak I always cut it into meal sizes for stews, kebabs, stir fries etc. - about 400g per meals.
Mince is bought on the largest trays. Each tray gets divided into 8 meal portions - approximately $1 to $1.50 per meal. Some meals need 2 portions like lasagne.
I buy fish from deli at Coles when on sale. I ask for frozen pieces so I can put it in the freezer when I get home.
Chicken fillets are bought with skin on. I take it off when I get home and 2 fillets are enough for each meal. Drumsticks are a great cheap cut.
I guess what I'm trying to say about the meat is that it is all about portion control. Most people eat too much meat and not enough veggies. If you freeze and cook meal sizes there is less chance of cooking too much.
All my meals cost less than $5 unless it's roast lamb $7 to $8 a luxury saved for birthdays etc. I don't buy pasta sauces. I use No name tinned tomatoes. Pasta sauces have too much salt and sugar.
I also do pasta bakes with mince, veggies, pasta, tomato soup, seasonings and cheese on top. Or chicken, pasta, cream of chicken soup,, veggies, seasonings and cheese on top.
Most of my cooking is old style cooking - stews, soups, casseroles, meat pies, lasagne, spag bol, pasta bakes, chicken pieces with homemade flavourings (honey/soy, tomato/bbq sauce and mustard powder, lemon juice), roasts and salmon patties just to name a few. All good food with no expensive or fancy ingredients.
Here is a sample of my monthly shopping list:
The list has a few more things on but I could be here for a while.
I then go into the fruit/veg shop and buy enough for 2 weeks.
I shop every week for milk and fruit/veg that has run out.
I buy some meat from a butcher called Tasman Meats (vic). They are much cheaper than the supermarkets.
I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this information is that you need to be organised, have a list, look out for bargains, be wise and don't be too proud to eat cheaply but well. There is no need for scotch fillet. My meals are yummy and healthy. We don't miss out on anything.
Well, after all that typing, lets see if anyone is up for the challenge. I'd love to hear how you go the next time you go food shopping.
Remember, it is meant to make you smile (see my forum topic "food shopping made me smile").
Be encouraged!!!!!!
- Do a menu plan for the month.
- Write a shopping list from your plan
- Check your freezer, fridge and pantry.
- Check laundry for cleaning products etc.
- Check bathroom cupboards for shampoo, soap etc.
- Cross off anything on your shopping list that you already have plenty of
- Add 6 empty spaces on your list for sale items.
- Go to shops "with" shopping list and get $300 out at atm or bank. It's hard to over spend when that is all the cash you have in your purse.
If there is something on sale that we use, I buy a few of.
When it comes to buying meat, it has to be less than $8 kg except fish - $10 - $12 kg.
Silverside is cheap at $5 - $6 kg. When I get home I always cut it in half, put in freezer bags and freeze. Each piece is enough for 2 adults and 2 children. I do the same for roasts.
When I buy trays of budget steak I always cut it into meal sizes for stews, kebabs, stir fries etc. - about 400g per meals.
Mince is bought on the largest trays. Each tray gets divided into 8 meal portions - approximately $1 to $1.50 per meal. Some meals need 2 portions like lasagne.
I buy fish from deli at Coles when on sale. I ask for frozen pieces so I can put it in the freezer when I get home.
Chicken fillets are bought with skin on. I take it off when I get home and 2 fillets are enough for each meal. Drumsticks are a great cheap cut.
I guess what I'm trying to say about the meat is that it is all about portion control. Most people eat too much meat and not enough veggies. If you freeze and cook meal sizes there is less chance of cooking too much.
All my meals cost less than $5 unless it's roast lamb $7 to $8 a luxury saved for birthdays etc. I don't buy pasta sauces. I use No name tinned tomatoes. Pasta sauces have too much salt and sugar.
I also do pasta bakes with mince, veggies, pasta, tomato soup, seasonings and cheese on top. Or chicken, pasta, cream of chicken soup,, veggies, seasonings and cheese on top.
Most of my cooking is old style cooking - stews, soups, casseroles, meat pies, lasagne, spag bol, pasta bakes, chicken pieces with homemade flavourings (honey/soy, tomato/bbq sauce and mustard powder, lemon juice), roasts and salmon patties just to name a few. All good food with no expensive or fancy ingredients.
Here is a sample of my monthly shopping list:
- pita bread (for pizzas)
- crumpets/muffins X1
- peanut butter, jam, Vegemite or honey (whatever is needed)
- tinned tuna/salmon X2
- taco shells X1
- lasagne sheets X1
- pasta - spiral X2
- rice - brown and white X1
- cling wrap, foil etc. if needed
- s/r flour and plain flour
- sugar - white, brown, raw or castor if needed
- herbs (dried)
- eggs X3 doz
- vinegar
- powdered milk if needed
- soup and soup mix
- walnuts, choc chips etc. for baking
- custard powder, yoghurt sachets if needed
- juice X 4lts
- tomato, bbq, mint sauce, mayo, salad dressing
- 2 min noodle X 1 pack of 5
- tea, coffee if needed
- rice pops, wheat biscuits, corn flakes, quick oats
- biscuits - dry and sweet
- milk X 6lts
- butter X5
- cream X1
- cheese X2 1kg blocks
- marg X2
- ice-cream X1 2lts
- frozen beans X2
- corn X2
- muesli bars X2
- hairspray
- tissues X4
The list has a few more things on but I could be here for a while.
I then go into the fruit/veg shop and buy enough for 2 weeks.
I shop every week for milk and fruit/veg that has run out.
I buy some meat from a butcher called Tasman Meats (vic). They are much cheaper than the supermarkets.
I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this information is that you need to be organised, have a list, look out for bargains, be wise and don't be too proud to eat cheaply but well. There is no need for scotch fillet. My meals are yummy and healthy. We don't miss out on anything.
Well, after all that typing, lets see if anyone is up for the challenge. I'd love to hear how you go the next time you go food shopping.
Remember, it is meant to make you smile (see my forum topic "food shopping made me smile").
Be encouraged!!!!!!
"The $300 a Month Grocery Challenge Really is Achievable!"
Hello Wendy, can I firstly say how much I have appreciated your posts I never miss reading them and have been aspiring to reach the goal of $300.00 a month for 3 years now!
When I first joined Cheapskates 3 years ago my food budget was $220 a week and I thought I was doing well. It dropped quite dramatically at first but nowhere near the $300 goal but to around $150 a week (we discovered Aldi and absolutely love it).
Well I am really excited and have to tell someone! For the month of February (yes I know its a short month) we spent only $368, our best ever! This is for 3 adults with very healthy appetites.
I have been plugging away at it year after year and I think its lots of little things coming together. The veggie garden is getting better with more experience, MOOing is a lot of fun, and slowly building up a good stockpile and using the grocery tracking spreadsheet help.
So thank you so much, you have kept me on track even though I have never posted.
To all the new Cheapskaters out there keep at it because it is worth it.
Val
When I first joined Cheapskates 3 years ago my food budget was $220 a week and I thought I was doing well. It dropped quite dramatically at first but nowhere near the $300 goal but to around $150 a week (we discovered Aldi and absolutely love it).
Well I am really excited and have to tell someone! For the month of February (yes I know its a short month) we spent only $368, our best ever! This is for 3 adults with very healthy appetites.
I have been plugging away at it year after year and I think its lots of little things coming together. The veggie garden is getting better with more experience, MOOing is a lot of fun, and slowly building up a good stockpile and using the grocery tracking spreadsheet help.
So thank you so much, you have kept me on track even though I have never posted.
To all the new Cheapskaters out there keep at it because it is worth it.
Val
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Tools
Are you still asking "$300 a month for food? Can it really be done?"
The answer is yes, it can! And you won't be eating junk food, starving or giving up good nutrition either.
Here are some tools you can use to get started on your very own $300 a Month Food Challenge for your family:
What's for dinner? Meal Planner
Bare Bones Groceries
$2 Dinners - Budget Recipes from the Cheapskates Club Recipe File
Pantry Inventory
Fridge Inventory
Freezer Inventory
Stockpile Inventory
Cents Per Kilo Calculator
The answer is yes, it can! And you won't be eating junk food, starving or giving up good nutrition either.
Here are some tools you can use to get started on your very own $300 a Month Food Challenge for your family:
What's for dinner? Meal Planner
Bare Bones Groceries
$2 Dinners - Budget Recipes from the Cheapskates Club Recipe File
Pantry Inventory
Fridge Inventory
Freezer Inventory
Stockpile Inventory
Cents Per Kilo Calculator
Join the $300 a month food challenge.....
|
Wendy started this challenge and boy has it taken off! Cheapskates Club members all over the country are slashing those grocery bills right back.
Each week Wendy offers Platinum Cheapskates Club members a new money saving grocery challenge, and shows them just how she manages to feed her family of four on just $300 a month (and keep her home and family clean too - that $300 includes toiletries and cleaning supplies). Click here to go to the $300 a Month Food Challenge discussion. |