July 2008 Grocery Challenge

Flylady_Flower

Thanks Sian the Green, great idea. I used to do that when I was driving around a lot, but have got out of the habit - think I need to get back into it again eh!

Got a great 5' tall freezer tonight with 6 draws off freecycle - really pleased as once I've cleaned it up and switched it on, I can put all my home cooked lovelies in there (got to cook them yet though!) :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Hope everyone has a good weekend, may not be on here much as loads to do this weekend if we can fit it all in... Have a good one... x

OrkneyStar

Morning all,
Raining here so might be an excuse for a NSD- we certainly need one!
Have to make a card and really should deliver it today, although might post it to come a day or so late and just say sorry
Hope everyone gets through todays challeges, be they MS or otherwise!
I am now thinking about the names thing too lol OrkneyStar was a quick choick of name but glad it makes some of you think of nice things
DS off to Church thing tomorrow and they need home bakes so will probably make a weetabix and/or mini blueberry muffins.
:wave: ta ra for now.
PS Welcome to savingpennies :wave:

smetf

Morning all

KAAT_LADY hope you had a good nights sleep I've started myself off too, imagining what user names look like- whatever keeps us amused

zoe260373 hope you are feeling a bit better this morning

denisefowler thanks you've reminded me I ought to keep an eye on freecycle for freezers have been watching a few on ebay but they are going for nearly £50 a time

Welcome savingpennies we did exactly the same as you- we were finding things a bit tight start of this year so cancelled Sky (only extravagance) and cut bills I had thought we couldn't do much about our £500 ish grocery bill- since lurking and then joining this board have noticed a big difference and things feel a bit better again despite fuel and food prices. Everyone is very friendly and helpful too

Can anyone post me to a fool proof crumble topping for tonight (free rhubarb from neighbour's mum very MSE ) have made them a bit soggy in past!

Sorry ended up being long!!

Smetf (with fingers crossed this little bit of sunshine lasts for the tea party)

mumofjusttwo

HI. Well managed to spend £5.50 yesterday.
Could anyone please tell me how to make the weetabix cake please. Thank you.

greent

smetf wrote: »

Can anyone post me to a fool proof crumble topping for tonight (free rhubarb from neighbour's mum very MSE ) have made them a bit soggy in past!


Smetf (with fingers crossed this little bit of sunshine lasts for the tea party)

Morning! Just a quick reply - make up crumble topping as usual, keeping out 2 spoonfuls (tbs) of the demerara sugar. Add in a good handful of muesli base (ie the flakes only, no fruit & nuts). If you don't have this, use plain porridge oats instead - you're BOUND to have those doing this!:rotfl: :rotfl: Also, if you have any little crunchy seeds put a tbsp of those in the mix (I always use a mix of sunflower, pumpkin, hemp & something else - gets the kids to eat them this way!)

When you've poured the mix over the fruit, scatter the set-aside sugar on top.

I think crumble toppings should be a mix of claggy-stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth bits and crunchy bits But that's just my view;)

I buy muesli base specially to do crumbles with - the flakes include things like rye, which are crunchy and yummy. I used to use just oats, until I ran out one day several years back and decided to use up some muesli which had been hanging aound (from yet anothe health kick!) I buy plain muesli cos I don't like the stuff in already done muesli. This way I can add my own things - always a mix of seeds and chopped (unsulphured) dried apricots. Topped with (yeo valley - yum) plain yogurt.

Gt
who has spent WAY too much already this month!!:eek:

catnap53

Decided this morning to total what our meals have cost to make this week, as well as what we are spending. See weezl's super frugal thread for inspiration. I have calculated what I actually used to make them, so that where there is a leftover this becomes 'free' when I use it up.

Our evening main meals since last Sunday have cost an average of 47p per person, that is with meat every meal (chicken or minced lamb this week) and occasionally having to do one a bit different from the rest because a) DH won't eat pasta, b) DH won't eat brown rice, or c) DS had curry for lunch.

This has left me with a 'free' portion of chicken curry and one of chicken pasta bake left over and frozen.

No one has been hungry, in fact we have been rather full, and some real veg included with every meal except curry.

This has made me realise that my target is do-able as long as I keep away from buying expensive soft drinks and snacks.

Have a good [STRIKE]spending [/STRIKE] [STRIKE]shopping[/STRIKE] money saving day everyone.

I have to go to Trafford centre now to Apple store for DS computer repair, just out of warranty :mad:

Need to keep strong and avoid temptation and bullying to buy other things. Got 20 pounds JL vouchers from pigsback this week so could spend them for free.

Zzzzz

crazyaboutsaving

Goog morning,

Just wanted to stop in to say hello. We've been getting some great grocery deals lately (a bag of sainsburys oranges for 68p! and they're good!) so we're on track for this month. Yippee!
And Smetv, here's my recipe for apple crumble (but you can put anything in it really - i suggest strawberries with your rhubarb if you have any) and I like it because the top is all crispy and nice. Here it is:
300g plain flour, sieved
175g unrefined brown sugar
200g butter at room temp
Filling:
450g apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1 cm pieces
50g unrefined brown sugar
1tbsp plain flour
1 pinch ground cinnamon
preheat oven to 180c
place flour and sugar in large bowl and mix well. rub the cubes of butter into the mixture, until it ressembles breadcrumbs. put apples in a large bowl and sprinkle over hte sugar, flour and cinnamon. stir well. Butter a 24cm ovenproof dish. spoon fruit mixture on the bottom, sprinkle the crumble mixture on top. bake for 40-45 mins.
All done!
Hope you like it!

Hollysan

Good morning to everyone...Actually it is drizzly and grey here. Oh well....

I have been totting up my spends for the week and have just updated my sig. I went to Lidl yesterday - I go about once every three months and stock up on things like apple juice and their red peppers in a jar. I also got some crocs (pretend) for the children - £3 a pair. They are thrilled with them, and they will do nicely for camping (yes, we will take wellies as well!)

I noticed a big change from the last time I went (actually, probably back in Feb/Mar time) - even Lidl's prices have gone up! I spent £53, which is way more than I've ever managed to spend in there before,despite my best efforts!:rotfl:

Have now realised that I don't actually have much money left in my budget for the rest of the month, so will have to rein in a bit.

Have a good week,everyone.

Hollysan

ifonlyitwaseasier

morning peeps!

well am going to spend a little, out for lunch and have a list for MrT, but not sure if i can be bothered to go to MrT or not, have plenty of food in so might leave it til monday.

having friends round later for a little picnic/bbq (picnic more likely as i have no charcoal : ) )

Mrs_Money_Penny

Morning everyone.
A dry day for a change so got all the washing pegged out and more in the machine. Should be a NSD today. Must go and put the bread maker on. Have a good day everyone.