August 2013 Grocery Challenge

Overspent this week but - a lot of money was on Branston Baked Beans - Asd - 4 for £1. There are 49 tins sitting in the garage.
We had HM Shepherd's Pie + Carrots/Onion + LO Baked Beans for dinner.
I made some muffins while I had the oven on. This week I bought a bag of the odd shape carrots - 1.5kg Sainsbugs - 95p
First time using this recipe - very different to my usual Muffin recipe. In the interests of readers - I tested a Muffin - delicious.
I had to substitute some of the ingredients but the result was great - Mr F loved his half of a Muffin.
I will share recipe if anyone wants it. Cost to make 12 Muffins - approx £1. They are a filling Muffin - I suppose because of the added fibre ingredients.

£13.50 to add for a cheeky takeaway on Friday night as DH hadn't eaten all day. We haven't had one for a while and really enjoyed it. Also £3.98 on 6 pairs of rubber gloves as DH was cleaning the oven.

It's my birthday next week so DFIL is talking DS to the local show and DH is talking me to the pictures and for GF pizza ( different budget). However it has been chucking it down all night and all morning so I am not sure if the show will still be on. If not there goes my birthday treat:(

Meal plan and shop is done for next week except 2 pork chops and some of the value nappies DS uses at night. I have been having a look through my recipe books and may make another chicken recipe instead of the pork cops as it will put off a spend on meat until next weeks shop.

I made an olive and herb loaf in the bread maker (GF) yesterday morning using up some bread mix I have had since last year, an open jar of olives and herbs from my stash. It was lovely but has a very soft crust so is difficult to slice and I want to slice and freeze in portions. I may have to invest in an electric knife.

Well, I am back to have another go at controlling my grocery spend. It is amazing how quickly money disappears when you take a close eye of it.

This month is a five week one for me so it is going to be a little tight as my rent comes out twice :mad:so will really need to cut back to cover costs also we have a holiday booked for Sept :j so will need to save for that.

This month I am going for £150 (2 people) and I am planning to shop as and when I need to but only to have a set amount in my purse per week. I have plenty in fridge, freezer and store cupboards - just checked and TBH I have forgotten I had so much stuff.

So here goes..........

Day 5 of my NSP and give myself 5.00. so 25.00 in 2nd purse.

I am so so tempted to go and buy fresh fruit but knowing that I have to give a fiver back if I do is really curbing the temptation. I have loads of tinned and frozen fruit so dont need it.

I have a stockpile of tinned potatoes (20 tins) which I only use in stew normally, has anyone any recipes for using these please.

£240 for me for this month please, I usually budget £160 but its a 5 week month we will have at least 2 weeks without a kitchen this month (getting a new one at last!!) so will succumb to a couple of chippy teas/takeaways/ready meals I reckon. We only need £80 for sept due to hols so using the other £80 as an advance. The week or two before the kitchen gets done will try and make some homemade microwaveable ready meals for the freezer to keep costs down and to try and stay healthy as we can't be having takeaway every day!