December 2014 Grocery Challenge

Hi Everyone!

I havent been on MSE since June 2013 so to say Ive lost my way a little is an understatement!!

Our financial situation is going to change over the next three months in a negative way, so its time to start budgeting more and using up the stocked store cupboard I already have.

We are away for 10 nights in December and Im not going to include food purchsed during this time as we are on holiday and we have saved all year for it.

So my spend for the remainder of December is going to be $400 thats for two adults and a cat. We are hosting a BBQ for 8 people during this period so ive included a little extra for drinks and treats as its Christmas.

Hopefully, with careful menu planning i can come in under budget and also leave some food towards January.

Good luck everyone.

Pix

Just put this on the Nov thread and now on here -

Just to let you know there is a £5 voucher in the Sun. (on page 3) Its for £5 off fresh fruit, vegetables and salad when you spend £10 on anything (exl lottery, cigarettes and a few others) in Morrys. Valid until Sunday. One coupon per transaction.
Wonder if this will cause a stampede like last time.

Thanks Zippy, Coxy and Solstice for this months thread.
I can hardly believe its December again! I remember last years December thread (and the one before that, come to think of it).


As always, thanks go to everyone who makes this thread so great every single month and makes it one of the friendliest threads on MSE (in my opinion!).


Welcome to all the new people, whether new to MSE or just new to this thread. Everyone is a lovely, friendly bunch, so jump right in


I would like to aim for £400 for the month please. That's £60 more than usual. We are going up to my mums for a week over Christmas but I want to treat her to some nice food and bake her some stuff. She works really hard and deserves it. Think I am going to make a nice feast on Christmas Eve, of chilli, loaded potato skins, guacamole etc.


Have a great month everyone

Bobarella wrote: »

Yep see what i mean about them drinking marmite. Thank you. It becomes second nature to think of how to use things up to squeeze another meal out. Today I made a big pot of pork stew using YS pork £2 & a stew pack that was 25p. Total cost was £2.50 & that will do about 6 portions. I served it with some basics pitta breads sliced & warmed in the oven, with a tub of cucumber tzatziki for 25p YS.
Tommorow I'm aiming for a free dinner tommorow as I found a brand match coupon for £2.11 so my challenge will be to find food to that total.

Yum that sound really good. I am trying to retrain my brain
(might take some time:D) but I am determined. Good luck with the coupon.:)

Managed to get the topside beef joint in to four smaller pieces (though they aren't even in weight, need to work on managing that!) I am tempted to go today to try for some lamb I saw on offer but not sure I can brave the Black Friday Crowds!


Used the last of the milk on bf's milkshake today so I need to get some, also will need nesquik powder soon (he has it with the milk and some sports supplements every morning) so will look for offers this morning.


We are out pretty much all day tomorrow at an exhibition game then the local Christmas light switch on so I think I may chuck a stew/casserole in the slow cooker in the morning before we leave


Could also do with a jar of pickled red cabbage, some cherry tomatoes and some cooking oil.


Hmm I'd better make a list!