July 2008 Grocery Challenge

hev_2

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

Was in Tesco yesterday and they had bogof on huggies pullups if that helps anyone. Not sure about the rest of the nappies, didnt look sorry.

Thanks - the cuts are usually across the range. Must investigate...

Since joining the challenge I have really had my eyes opened to my spending habits, which is really scary. I may not stick to budget this month, but I think the odds of me sticking to a budget in future have been significantly raised.

Herewegoagain

hev wrote: »

Okay, summary of the challenge for me so far...

I haven't stuck to my meal plan on one single day! Not once! And this week's is already out because my meal plans start on a Saturday (for shopping reasons) and OH couldn't face much except a fish finger sandwich on Sat and on Sunday instead of a roast we had rataouille because the veggies needed using up, because they hadn't been used up earlier in the week because, well, flippin heck.

So, today we should have Sunday's roast and the whole meal plan moves along one until Thursday which means I'll skip the stir fry because I didn't get the veggies I needed at the weekend because I felt like death on Saturday.

And...

Probably gone over budget anyway because OH went to Sainsburys for me and braved the crowds to get the nappies which were a third off which was really heroic as he HATES shopping and he isn't good at crowds. The cost of the nappies (last on shelves) will probably take me over the budget.

And I could do with a boatload of little bits and pieces, so if Sainsburys delivery covers the nappy offer then I may completely trash the budget, get the nappies plus the bits and bobs plus stock up. But stock up on what? I have loads of tins in the cupboard and I'm trying to run down the freezer to defrost it.

Of course, I could just see what the best offers are and stash the stuff under the bed or something...

Or I could just not buy...

Looking at the bank balance, not buying even if it is a bargain is looking good. Let's save 100% :rolleyes:

Wow girl,
just calm down take a deep breath, go on, then another etc, and start the day again, you know you can do this, stand back, regroup and check what you've got and off you go. We're all behind you:D

busy_mum_4

[quote=shezza;12269985

I am planning a mammoth cooking session today, going to make a corned beef and potato pie, moussaka (with my aubergines),falafel and hoummus, pitta bread and try the kiwi muffins as I have some kiwis that are looking slightly sorry for themselves in the fruit bowl. Then I am going to make some chicken kiev and chicken ambassadors to put in the freezer for dinners later in the month[/quote]

Your recipes sound lovely, have you posted them all on here for us to try?

:j

busy_mum_4

searching_me wrote: »

Kitty-glad im not the only one getting ready for xmas to be honest ive got most of what i need or its on pre order :rotfl: but then again i only buy for 8 people :rotfl: xxx

I am buying all year round for xmas/ birthday presents, I have got a box in loft to store them in and a list downstairs of what is in box, the list tells me how much I payed and how much present was original price.;)

zoe260373

crockpot wrote: »

Think I might need some help!
Got less than £50 left and have 2 weekly shops left!

With the increase in food prices is feeding a family of 4 on £200 a month just too little?

I have this week sorted but not sure then, will be lurking in bottom of freezer and storecupboard.

I have 3 lots of mince in freezer but DS aged 9, threw up last time I gave him mince!! looks like we will be having a something on toast night!

Will have to get tough with fussey children!

hi...just thought id let you know that i managed to get enough meals made up out of just one bag of mince,added grated carrot and grated potato to bulk it out,even i couldnt tell the difference i knew id done it!:rotfl: i made,shepherds pie,chilli and bolognaise sauce,as you know,rice and spagetti is dead cheap so had some really cheap meals,with the chilli i made some spicy bean tortilla,used mrA cheap tortilla chips,made salsa with soaked mixed beans and tin of chopped toms and chilli powder etc then lay it all in a casserole dish and grated cheese all over and cooked until melted,was lovely.hope this is of some use to you,try your little fella again with mince as he may have just been poorly that day and it might not have been the mince good luck witht he rest of your month.x

KAAT_LADY

good morning

what a nice day it is today its not raining at the moment so will make the most of it ........ will have a n NSD today I hope as I seem to have everything in ( fingers crossed )

busy_mum_4

angchris wrote: »

i have come to the conclusion today that i am officially sad and old wayyyyy before my time ...last night was sat night...party night :dance: _party_ _party_ :dance: im 34 and i should of been out on the town getting legless when in reality what was i actually doing???? i was doing a sweep of all the local supermarkets on a whoopsie hunt :rotfl: oh and i actually braved the rain and checked out the coop, 2 different tescos and sainsburys for bargains yest eve. we spent just over £33 and got bags n bags of fruit veg and frozen goodies all reduced right down in price :j for example cucumbers 10p, 4 pack yogs 20p, loads of bagels 10p a pack,free range chicken £2, pork chops 50p,big trays minced beef 80p, 6 boxes of aunt bessies 1/4 lb burgers reduced from £2.90 to 70p. yippeeeeee:D
i have plenty to now last me until oh gets paid on the 22nd and absolutely loads will be leftover in the freezer for next month. so i have spent £77 so far on 2 adults a 15 year old boy and a rottweiler since the 22nd of last month which isnt bad going even if i do say so myself

If I lived closer we could lift share cos thats what I love doing. LOL. Your not sad and old way before your time as I do this and I am 36 and my 11 yr old daughter loves to come with me and hunt down the bargains too. :laugh:

mumofjusttwo

Well have to adjuast my sig.


Made some HM bread on Friday which was lovely. Also made some of Twink's hob nob. Mentioned to DH about freezing them. He grinned at me and has told me there are only 2 left now. Glad he likes them. Of course I have been good and not eaten any

zoe260373

Herewegoagain wrote: »

:T I knew someone would have an answer, also could cut peelings a bit thicker and make healthy sw oven chips or thiner and make sw oven crisps but not certain the later will work:rotfl:

hiya,i used to be a chef in a country pub and part of our menu was to deep fry (very hot oil) the skins and then toss in seasoning,people paid a fortune for them when i first started there i was told off for making them too thick,was told to use what i would normally throw away,didnt like them much myself but you just might,i would serve them with sour cream&chives,hth.x

hev_2

Herewegoagain wrote: »

Wow girl,
just calm down take a deep breath, go on, then another etc, and start the day again, you know you can do this, stand back, regroup and check what you've got and off you go. We're all behind you:D

Thank you so much for this - I do get very dippy...

This forum, this board and this thread are great and I am always being reminded of what a great community this is.

Just going to check out the Sainsburys site. Just in case...