August 2014 Grocery Challenge

WelshWoofer · 8 August 2014 at 3:13PM

Thank you!
Daft question no 2.....do I shove the bag in the freezer as it comes from the shop?

:o

Lizling · 8 August 2014 at 5:06PM

I think I'd better join in this month even though I'm late, if that's ok! I've just seen my bank statement for the month and need to get things back under control. :eek: I went waaay over my usual budget.

I'll go for £90 in August. Eating out comes under my entertainment budget, so this is just for normal groceries. This'll be fun in combination with the cook something different challenge!

So far this month, I've spent £11.53 in Lidl, £3.10 at the market, and a shameful £7.50 on lunches on days when I haven't taken my own in. That totals to £22.13.

Solstice_3 · 8 August 2014 at 5:51PM

Well my planned NSD did not happen, for starters my fruit and veg box came today which automatically makes it a spend day, then I had to buy lunch as hospital trip was over children's lunch time and we had to leave earlier than expected anyway spent £13.95 on F&V box and £7.50 on lunch.

joedenise · 8 August 2014 at 6:57PM

WelshWoofer wrote: »

Thank you!
Daft question no 2.....do I shove the bag in the freezer as it comes from the shop?
:o

Depends on whether you want to use them all in one go! If you only want to use some of them then I would open freeze them on a baking sheet or similar by spreading out in a single layer until they have frozen and then put into a freezer bag. You'll then be able to take out as many as you need for your meal.

As you are on your own I would tend to go for vegetables and fruit which will keep a bit longer like potatoes, onions, apples, pears etc.

Denise

meg72 · 8 August 2014 at 7:20PM

WelshWoofer wrote: »

Thank you!
Daft question no 2.....do I shove the bag in the freezer as it comes from the shop?
:o

Not a daft question at all, yes you can if you want but as you are on your own like me I would suggest you portion it out.

These will keep for about a year, but I find the colour fades to a not very nice grey if not blanched. if you are only thinking of keeping for a few weeks then they will be fine.

Solstice_3 · 8 August 2014 at 7:43PM

recovering_spendaholic wrote: »

Solstice - I don't really like courgettes but I had some the other week and used them to make the most delicious courgette and lime cake, with lime cream cheese frosting - It was really nice and everyone devoured it without realising that there were any courgettes in it! I will look out the recipe and post it if you like.

So far have spent £25.74 out of my £350, but I haven't been and done a big shop yet - I will need to do one as soon as I get paid however. I should have been paid at the beginning of the month but I am self employed and my fees get paid when clients feel like paying so it is incredibly hard to budget properly. I have had to cancel my mortgage and insurance direct debits to avoid insufficient funds charges, so will have to ring and pay them as soon as money goes into my account!

Made home made burger for tea tonight and it was delicious, but I made the burgers too big and could only manage about half of mine! I used some of the Aldi Burger sauce and it was really nice - a bit like Big Mac sauce, but nicer!

Have got steak out of the freezer for tomorrow - might make it into strogonoff as there isn't really enough for three but if I add a load of mushrooms and onions hopefully it will stretch.

I wish I had a Morrisons near me but the nearest one is about 15 miles away so it isn't worth it I don't think.

Oh yes please I'd love the recipe

I had pork and mushroom stroganoff last night, it was yummy

I keep looking at these AGCJ recipes but they don't appeal to me, my DH would probably love them

Frizzle_2 · 8 August 2014 at 8:05PM

Been a bit busy with kids and hubby off work so haven't been posting, but have been keeping up to date and also noting down my spends!
Lots of little shops this week which is a bit annoying!
We went away at the weekend so Monday I nipped in to tesco to get some fresh fruit and salad and hubby's hair gel. When did aldi stop selling it!! £5.53 spent.
Thursday I popped into to tesco AGAIN! To get another cucumber and lettuce and to 'mooch' with hubby (not my idea) so snacks bits for the kids and a large pack of coffee (on offer at £5!!!) ended up in the basket as well as a YS pork joint which was one of those in a tray and was £4. Thought it would be a quick meal. So £13.05 spent then.
Then we were having a friend over for a takeaway who we haven't seen in a long time so hubby popped to aldi to get 2 bottles of wine, some milk, ham and cappuccino sachets! Another £13.04 spent!

So £31.62 spent on bits!

Also, got the sun voucher. Only got one and then decided to go back and get another one but the papers had all gone.

So tomorrow I am popping to morrisons to get fruit, veg and more cucumber!, milk and that should be it for the weeK! She says, not very convincingly! If I spend £13 it will be less than £45.
I'm just annoyed as I thought this would be a low week. I did 2 x £45 shops in aldi last week and 2 x shops in morrisons to use up meat vouchers, so thought I had all bases covered! But obviously not!

Frizzle_2 · 8 August 2014 at 8:08PM

Oh blow! Just realised I spent £5 today in poundland on toothbrushes and snacks!:o
Added to signature!

GettingOrganised · 8 August 2014 at 10:21PM

Only 8 days into my new month and nearly half way into my budget. Hoping it will slow down over the next couple of weeks - it should as about 1/2 the spend so far was household items and toiletries, and I shouldn't need any more of these until next month. Also had a chippy tea on Wednesday, which was a treat and will need to be the last one this month.

Saver-upper · 9 August 2014 at 1:30AM

Spent £14.86 cash (and £2.17 in "price promise" vouchers) in Tesc@ this morning.Kids were having friends over,and I had promised pizza.Also bought a couple of last-minute bits for our camping holiday.
So this month,so far,I have spent £40.39/£300.
This is such an unusual month for me.Normally I would have spent so much more than this by now.I think it is a combination of running down stores in preparation for going away(meal planning accordingly),remembering to use vouchers before they expire

,and having stopped buying from the corner store.

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August 2014 Grocery Challenge

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