January 2012 Grocery Challenge

just had a free recipe book through the post after registerin my codes on andrex toilet roll (i no its not cheap but i like it lol) quite impressed thought it was gonna b a cheapo recipe book but its quite good rrp on bk of it is £6.99 :O
mite need to get sum ingredients in with this weeks money to try sum out hopefully will find sum nice ones out

and they doubling points until the end of feb may b able to get sum other bargains off there :P

Been sitting here thinking I haven't spent any money for days, but Im a total liar lol!

Been to the local shop yesterday and bought eggs to bake a banana loaf, and bought 3 packets of crisps and a scratchcard. Was at the shop on Saturday as well, don't even rememeber what I bought, sure I had crisps again though....

And DH was at MrM's on Thursday, he 'popped in' to get lunch for himself, lovely bread, cold meat etc and spent over £13.

So will update my sig, adding on another say....... £22? Ach, Ive no idea how much Ive spent. Honestly need to pull myself together, this is how I don't know what I spend on groceries, cos I dont keep track!!

needtosavE wrote: »

... What would you guys do in this situation, would you go over budget in order to buy up a really good offer?? I can afford to buy it but am trying to be strict with my budget to avoid going nuts like i used to do!

if I could afford it, I'd do it for a good offer on something I know I'd use

or as caroline says you could reduce next month's budget or spread it over the next 2 or 3 months?

needtosavE wrote: »

have around £8 left until payday on the 27th. The thing is there is a really good deal on heinz tomato soup at morrisons. 4 tins for £1.59!! That is like the best deal ever. If i buy these then I will go over budget as we defo will need bread, milk and some fruit and veg.
What would you guys do in this situation, would you go over budget in order to buy up a really good offer?? I can afford to buy it but am trying to be strict with my budget to avoid going nuts like i used to do!

It is not such a hot deal if you really can not afford it or budgeted for overspends, you could take from next month but then you will always be playing catch up.
If you can in future months set a small amount on to one side as a back up (can be include as part of the monthly budget) for the times you see offers, that way you stick to the amount you have budgeted for.

Also you could have a go at making your own bread which is far cheaper than the shops and that way you might always have bread or the ingredients to make bread in the house so you never run out.


306g of warm water (can be fairly warm but to hot and it will kill the yeast)
500g Strong White Bread Flour
10g salt
6g Dried Yeast
(For a fruit loaf add sultans or raisins, don’t add too many or the loaf may not rise well and be too heavy, but I add more than the book says to add).

Add ingredients to a bowl and mix well, then turn out and knead on a work surface fro about ten minutes. Form into a ball place back into the bowl, cover with a clean tea towel (best kept just for bread) and leave in a warm place to double in size (or overnight in the fridge covered with cling film - large bowl).
When doubled in size, knock back and then shape or put in a greased and floured loaf tin.

Leave again to double in size (or fill the tin 1lb tin). Set the oven to 220° then when hot enough put the dough into the oven and reduce the temperature to 200°. Cook for 40 (depending on your oven) minutes until browned and when you tap the bottom with your knuckles until it sounds hollow.

Remove from the tin or tray place on a wire rack and wrap until cold with a tea towel.

spent a whole quid this morning on a soya & seedy Burgen loaf.It lasts me a week, so well worth it.normally about 1.40 but Icelands are doing it for a pound.I portion it up into lots of four slice packs and freeze.I only ever eat a couple of slices of bread a day anyway so its not worth my while making my own ,plus only one of my arms works very well at all so kneading would be difficult.
very pleased with my totals so far this month I am sticking to me 'stay out of shops if possible' mantra for January.Only 15 more days to go