We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING
Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!
October 2009 Grocery Challenge
Comments
-
Princess M - I buy the ham 'hocks' prepacked in our local Co-0p whenever I can get them. They are fine for freezing and cheap enough to buy 4 or 5 at a time whenever I can get them. I'm useless at slicing meat off them because I'm so fussy about fat but still manage to get enough to make a couple of meals from the one hock after making the lentil soup. This time I added butter beans along with the veggies, so it bulked it out even more.

Still trying to work out if staying within budget is a possibility this year but the list of what I'm running out of is getting longer. Ever hopeful though...I reserve the right not to spend.
The less I spend, the more I can afford.
Frugal living challenge - living on little in 2026 while frugalling towards retirement.0 -
Hi everyone - well I was fully recovered yesterday and hit the shops but stayed within my list and Budget.:j
Made a Chicken Tikka Masala last night, HM Onion Bahjis and a Tarka Dhal but it wasn't a total hit with the family. The Dhal and Bhajis recipes were from the Economy Gastronomy programme and the Chicken Tikka was a Gordon Ramsay recipe. Will have a look on here for alternatives as these are dishes that I know the family normally like when bought from a Takeaway so it was probably down to a bad choice of Recipe, hopefully not down to my cooking.:o
Dinner tonight is Roast Lamb and all the trimmings. Must get into the Kitchen and get some cookies/cakes made so that we are well stocked for the Half Term holiday this week.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone.:D"WASTE NOT, WANT NOT!"GC for OH, myself, DD18 & DD16 includes Toiletries, cleaning stuff & Food.
0 -
so far this month £226 this is good because husband has not been in tesco for some timeGrocery Challenge Feb 16 £346 /4000
-
Hello all
Been missing for a while,due to ...holiday ,work,weekends away,work,course on family planning,fundraisng,WI,work,glut of fruit and veg which led to chutney marathon:rotfl:oh still being OS but lost count of spends.
After advice please.
I will be making about 12 Christmas puds soon(fundraising again)don't mind the making but the steaming drives me mad and takes forever.Borrow Mums PC,use my PC and SC-but only 2 puds in each at a time-any suggestions ? Apart from buy them from Aldis.
mrssYou can't stay young for ever,but you can be immature for the rest of your life.0 -
Is it too late to join for this month?
I'm budgeting for a £160 spend this month - first month i've kept track of things and we're upto £150 with only veg / milk/ bread to get next week! There's 2 of us plus baby.0 -
Ninno820 - well done
Scotsaver - I love HM Indian and Takeaway but the taste between the 2 is vast, yours probably tastes far better!! but the family are just not used to it maybe
Emma285 - Hi and welcome, check out the recipes on page 1 and please ask any old question, there are lots of really helpful people on here who will give you any help you need, is your budget of £160 for Oct or Nov.
Budgets done up to and including brokemedic - thanks everyone
Helen xProjects made for craft fair - 40
1st fair on 13/4/14 :j0 -
Hello everyone,
Still managing to struggle around in the kitchen, so I made a huge pot of leek and lentil soup today, with a sort of oriental theme, using veggies from the garden.
3 garden leeks
Handful of garden baby carrots
Handful of garden french beans
A few garden peas
1 garden parsnip
1 stick of celery
1 cup cooked red lentils
Half cup uncooked long grain rice
About 3 pints Chicken stock/Water
Mixed garden herbs to taste
1 Teaspoon Five Spice
Salt & Pepper seasoning
I chopped everything up and put it into a large pan with the stock and brought it to the boil and simmered for about 45 mins until thickened. Lastly I added the chopped herbs and seasoning. Think this might be nice with some cheesy croutons. Haven't tried it properly yet.
Sorry my recipes are a bit vague, I'm a bit of a 'chuck anything in' person:o.
My NSD yesterday actually cost me £3.89:D I needed Detergent, Plain Flour and 6 Eggs -oh well..........
Have a good evening everyone!
Footnote: Mmm yummy soup.Sealed Pot Challenge 7 Member 022 :staradmin:staradmin:staradmin
5:2 Diet started 28/1/2013 only 13lbs lost due to Xmas 2013 blip.0 -
elizabunny wrote: »... Mmm yummy soup.
Thanks elizabunny, yummy soup recipe now in the index
and also on my meal plan for next week.
glad to hear you're feeling a little better but please take care of yourself;)... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener0 -
Had another NSD today, mainly due to a massive hangover after last night's party:o:o"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf"
(Kabat-Zinn 2004):D:D:D0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.7K Spending & Discounts
- 246K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 259.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards

