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rosieben
Posts: 5,010 Forumite
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the February 2009 Grocery Challenge. :hello:
Pink isn't around at the moment, so I've ok'd with Penelope Penguin to start off the new thread. We start with Pink's usual opening posts.
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If your new month starts early feel free to join this thread, or if you're still working on your December budget, then keep on posting in the January Grocery Challenge
As always this challenge is to reduce your own grocery budget to levels that you will be pleased with, not forgetting that we always recommend that you stay inside your own comfort levels and take things gently one step at a time. Remember that this is not a competition....it's designed to take you and your grocery spending to a level you are happy with.
If you are new to the challenge I have quoted the advice from Galtizz below which will help you get started.
Please post into this thread for help and advice and support at any time. Good luck to everyone taking part!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Galtizz
I have said this before, but for all the newbies to the challenge;
For the first month I took a guess at the budget but I really had no idea how much I was spending.
I found the best thing is to have a guess the first month but SAVE ALL OF YOUR RECEIPTS (and yes, that does include the ones from the local shop when you run out of milk ), then at the end of the month add them all up and have a look if you were on budget, if not, it doesn't matter because your budget was a guess. For the next month you can use the total of your receipts and take a bit off to get a realistic budget, just shave off as much as you think you can, it could be £1 a week or £20 a week.
If you are currently spending £200 a month don't suddenly drop it to £100 - you'll never do it but if you cut £20 a month off for a few months you'll get there eventually without feeling you're missing out on anything.
You might think you've done everything you can in the first month but someone always comes up with a new idea and, if you try it you often find you save a bit more (unless you are SarahSaver who is an expert at this and could only save more if she turned her back garden into a paddy field and lived on rice ) In the first month I thought, I'm planning meals, I couldn't possibly save any more, but then I started double cooking and freezing, and making soup instead of buying it in tins.
I've been doing this since Feb but only saved ALL of my receipts last month, it has given me a much better idea of where it is all going. Budget for next month is £80 for 2 of us, I'll start on 30/4. I could probably save more, by eating different foods but I can afford to live on £80, I have saved a lot of money since Feb. and I don't waste food or money any more. So I'm happy with my budget.
For guidelines on posting in this thread please read the second post in this thread.
For everyone's targets and totals for the month please read posts #3 and #4 on this thread.
For the Grocery challenge Recipe Index please see posts #5 and #6 on this thread.
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Good luck everyone;)
Rosieben xx
... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener
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Comments
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Guidelines for posting on the Grocery Challenge thread.
What is the Grocery Challenge thread?
This is a thread where people who are taking part in the Grocery Challenge can post for help encouragement and support and talk about anything related to grocery shopping. We ask that you try to keep on topic and post things that are relevant to the challenge.
Posting grocery budgets and spends for the month
Some people like to post their grocery budget and final spend for each month. If you wish to be included in the master list then please post these in red and in a large font as this makes it easier for the volunteers to keep a record of everyone’s totals.
Number of posts
In order to make the thread easier to read it would be helpful if users would try not to post multiple posts in quick succession.
Chat
Chatty posts that are relevant to the Challenge are fine. Irrelevant chat or posts simply saying ‘Good morning/Goodnight’, ‘just popping on to say hello’, ‘I’ve sent you a pm’ etc aren’t, as they clutter up the thread and may be removed to make the thread easier for others to read. Unfortunately the board guides simply don't have the time to pm users individually when posts are removed to keep the thread on topic. If your post has been removed and you are unhappy with the decision, please feel free to send us a pm.
If you want to say thanks to another user please use the thanks button and please post any chat not related to the Grocery Challenge into the Daily Thread or use the pm function.
No Spend days (NSD’s)
A number of people like to record that they have had a no spend day. Again to reduce the number of posts we would ask that rather than post just that you had a no spend day you record it in your signature and/or add it to a post that is directly relevant to the Grocery Challenge.
Pictures
Please keep these relevant to the challenge. While photographs of produce or cooking are great, pictures of semi-naked men or large clip art aren’t.
Bargains
Please don’t forget to check out the Grabbit and Shop but Don’t drop boards for any bargains and the Discount Codes 'n Vouchers (online & offline) board to see if there are any current vouchers around.
Questions about recipes, freezing, techniques etc
These don’t always fit into the Grocery Challenge. There are a number of threads where it may be more appropriate to ask questions. There is a wealth of information available on the Old Style board so please do a search to see if there is a better thread for your question. For more help with searching see here or feel free to send a private message to a board guide who will be happy to help.
Useful Links to threads on the Old Style board
Quick Questions thread
Recipe thread
Cheap recipe threads
Don't throw food away challenge...
The Complete Cooking Collection
Old Style Daily thread General chat about Old Style (new thread started daily)
Flylady thread Cleaning thread (new thread weekly)
Enough is Enough (decluttering)
Lose weight the Old Style way
Finally if you are new to Old Style and want help to find your way around, this thread may help: Welcome to Old Style and there is some excellent practical help and advice on posting on MSE chat forums in this thread: Unofficial A-Z (Look here first)... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener0 -
... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener0 -
Microwave Recipes
Main Meals & Side Dishes
Bacon and potato salad -Warm
Baked potato pizza
Baked Beans (home made)
Beef and Root Veg Curry
Belly Pork
Bolognaise (Remoska)
Broad Bean Burgers
Broccoli and Cheese Soup
Carrot, parsnip and lentil soup
Chicken Cannelloni
Chicken - Sticky Chicken
Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken with Garlic, Cider & Cream
Chilli
Chilli (Remoska)
Chilli Cheese Crostini
Chilli chicken with jasmine rice (BBC food)
Chinese style cabbage
Cobbler (topping)
Corned Beef Hash - MrsMCawber's recipe
Cranberry & Soy glazed cocktail sausages
Creamy Chicken and Potato casserole
Curried Parsnip Soup
Curry Sauce
Diet Coke Chicken
Duchesse potatoes
Faggoty Pea Stew
Fishcakes
Fish Pie and Fish Pie
Gammon and lentil soup
Ham and Lentil Soup
Ham Hock (slow cooker)
Ham Salad (sandwich filling) external link
Iced cucumber soup
Individual chicken pies
Lamb curry and paratha
Lasagne
Leek and Potato Soup
Moniker’s Leek and Potato Soup
Leek and sweet potato soup
Lemon Chicken
Lemon chicken with basil and tagliatelle
Lemon potatoes
Liver and onions stir fry
Meatballs
Meatloaf
Mediterranean Mince and Potato 'Pie'
Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta
Mince & onion pie
Minced Beef Curry
Minced Beef with Cobbler Topping
Mini Goat's Cheese, Pear & Walnut Quiche
Monday Pie
Moroccan Chickpea and Broad Bean Soup
Moussaka
Naan bread - see 'Bread' below
Onion Soup
Open top 'pizza' pie
Oxtail Stew + Oxtail Soup
Parsnip & Apple Soup
Pasta Cheese and Onion Bake
Pizza / Pizza Base Recipe
Pork and Beef Meatballs
Pork Steaks in Mustard and Cider Sauce
Potato layer bake
Potato Layer Bake
Potato layer bake (Teisen datws)
Potatoes - Lemon Potatoes
Potatoes - Twice Baked Potatoes
Quiche Lorraine
Real Tomato Soup
Sausage and Rice bake
Sausage Casserole or Sausage Casserole
Sausage Meat Patties
Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
Smoked salmon soda breads
Spaghetti with courgettes, tomato and brie
Spicy Bean & Sweet Potato Stew
Spicy Carrot and Tomato Soup
Steak and Kidney stew/pie filling
Steamed Oriental Buns
Stifado - Beef Stew With Tiny Onions Recipe
Stuffing - MrsMcawber's recipe
Suet crust pie with quorn
Super Tasty Bacon, Bean and Sausage
Sweet & Sour Chicken/Pork
TexMex Skillett
Thai green curry
Toad in the Hole
Tofu burgers
Tuna Fishcakes
Tuna Lasagne
Turkey and Bubble and Squeak Pie
Turkey Pasta
Turkey Pasta Cacciatore
Vegetable Casserole
Vegetable Soup
Veggie Haggis
Bread
Bagels
Baguettes
Bara Brith (Welsh Tea Bread)
Bread - Mrs McC's recipe for Remoska
Breadsticks MrsM's / angelnikki's (No Salt Recipe)
Cheese & Potato Bread
Cheesy Bread Rolls
Chewy Soft Flour Tortilla
Chocolate Bread
Courgette Flatbread
Focaccia
Garlic Dough Balls
Herb Quick bread
HM Bread
Naan Bread .. see also .. Curry Queen's ...... Mrs McCawber's ...... OrkneyStar's
Oatmeal bread
soft bread rolls
Super Seedy Bread
... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener0 -
Dips, Jams & Chutneys
Alioli / Traditional allioli
Christmas Chutney
Elderberry cordial
Jams & Preserves
Pineapple Salsa
Tomato Chutney
Cakes, Biscuits, Snacks & Desserts
Apple delight
Apple Charlotte
Apple - Microwave Autumn Apple Cake
Apricot Flapjack bars
Bakewell Tart
Banana and lemon drizzle cake
Banana Muffins (wholemeal)
Banana Muffins
Banana and Walnut cake
Banana Ginger Parkin
Branflake cake
Bounty Balls
Bran Fruit Loaf
Bread & Butter Pudding
Bulk pancake mix
Buttercream topping
Caramel Shortbread (Millionaire's Shortbread)
Caramel Shortbread (2)
Cheese n marmite twists
Cheesy Biscuits
Chocolate fudge
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Chocolate Krackolates
Coconut Cake
Cookie Dough
Courgette Tea Bread/Muffins
Cranberry And Chocolate Brownies
Currant Loaf
Custard Cookies
D&DD’s Apple Braid
Date, Nut and Oat biscuits
Easy Syrup Sponge Pudding
Eggless Chocolate Cake
Fifteens
Flaky Bars
Flapjacks and Flapjacks
Gingerbread Men
Ginger Raisin Crunches
Golden Syrup Tart
Honey Frosted Buns
Iced Buns
Impossible Coconut Pie
Jammy Buns
Key lime pie
Krispie marshmallow bars
Lemon Curd Cake
Lemon Curd Ice-Cream JeniD's / MoneySavingDiva's
Malt Bread
Marshmallow Squares
Mascarpone and Lime Torte
Mascarpone Ice-cream
Millies Cookies
Mince Squares
Muffins: Basic Recipe / Chocolate Orange Muffins (1) / Chocolate Orange Muffins (2) / Gingerbread Muffins / Kiwi Muffins / Sticky Date Muffins / Strawberry Muffins / Toffee Apple Muffins
No fat sponge
Oaty Shortbread Biscuits
Peanut Butter Cookies
Scones
Spiced Apple Bars
St Peter's Mud Pie (no cooking required)
Sticky gingerbread
Sticky toffee apple crumble
Teacakes
Twink’s Hobnobs
Weetabix Brownies
Weetabix Cake
Wonderbites
Yoghurt: Homemade yoghurt, Slow Cooker Yoghurt
Yoghurt Cake (the easy way)
Pastry
The best mince pie pastry ever
Pastry economics
Making pastry
Basic pastry
Top Tips & Links
Complete Menu Plans Collection
Grocery Challenge Top Tips
How to feed your whole family a healthy, balanced diet... (Webook)
Laundry Washing Gel/ Gloop, Fab conditioner, vinegar.....
List of conversions
Love Food Hate Waste website
Show Jamie How To Cook On A Budget Champagne Contest... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener0 -
thank you rosie!! :j :j
Good luck everyone!!Nonny mouse and Proud!!
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience!!
Debtfightingdivaextraordinaire!!!!
Amor et metus. Lac? Sugar? Quisque massa vel duo? (stolen from a lovely forumite!)0 -
Hi - could I join in this month please?
I would like to budget £100 for the 4 weekly shops (w/b 31/1/09 - w/b 21/2/09) if I may.x.Love and compassion to all x0 -
Hiya!
I'm in again this month My target is £350 for Feb please. This is for me, X and our 2yr old DS; and includes all food, household stuff, toiletries and nappies. My month runs from 28th Jan - 24th Feb; which is 4 weeks.
This is the same budget as last month but this month I'm switching to only buying free range or organic pork, poultry and eggs. I'm going to alternate my weekly shops with MrT and MrS instead of just using MrT I'm also going to keep track of the cost and qty of meat we eat this month to see if next month we're able to afford a monthly meat box:j instead of buying all our meat from supermarkets
Good Luck with your challenges everyone!
Nikki x:A0 -
Hi,
I'm back in again - will come under budget one day :rolleyes:
£330 for me please
Month has started already but I'm trying to be good
2 adults and 2 stepkids (with adult apetites) for half the week.working on clearing the clutterDo I want the stuff or the space?0 -
Hi rosie
Can you "sticky" the thread so its at the top of the list?
ooohh and I posted the lists on the jan thread ready to move the other day..posts 1826 + 7-6 -8 -3 -1.5 -2.5 -3 -1.5-3.50 -
MRSMCAWBER wrote: »Hi rosie
Can you "sticky" the thread so its at the top of the list?
ooohh and I posted the lists on the jan thread ready to move the other day..posts 1826 + 7
yes, I've asked Pen to 'sticky' the thread for us and I've also asked her if she can delete my 'spare' posts and copy your list in from the end of the Jan thread.... don't throw the string away. You always need string!
C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener0
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