July 2008 Grocery Challenge

Flylady_Flower

fertyskids wrote: »

Hi everyone, it takes ages to catch up on the post each day. worth it though, im going to efinately try a few of the suggestions ive had for the baby.

i have another query, does anyone have any recipes for a slow cooker. pref using chicken, pork or sausages? i can only do chicken and sausage casserole at the mo. also is it cheaper to use a slow cooker or the oven (mines an electic fan oven).

thanks so much for all your support. this site is the only thing at the mo that keeps me positive in trying to save at least £400 a month, now im not working. were selling our 2nd car, hubby has finally agreed to use bicycle or motorbike, not that much of a hardship!

thanks karen

Hi Karen,

I'm the same, never get my slow cooker out apart from stew... so thought I would take a look. There is a whole thread on this site - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=4273 - and I also found this really cool one too - http://www.parents.com/recipes/cooking/family-favorites/10-easy-slow-cooker-meals/?ordersrc=google9slowcooker_slide&cobrandId=ww5&s_kwcid=slow%20cooker%20recipes|986080102
Hope that helps,
Denise

Flylady_Flower

funkyfunkymonkey wrote: »

Chocolate Fudge Cake

FFM

You see, now this just shouldn't be allowed to be posted - it's down right disgusting, putting something as mouthwateringly, chocolatey, melt in the mouth scrummy as this on here - I've put on 5lbs just reading the recipe..... :EasterBun (oooh, I've been wanting to use that smilie for aaaages...:D )

Thanks (scoff, chomp, scoff) very much (munch, munch, scoff) FFM, :rotfl:

penguin83

Barneysmom wrote: »

£600? That's a lot, just for food? Sorry, I don't mean to be rude.

Dont worry - its not being rude. I know its a lot but I honestly think looking at last months statements thats what I spend (hence the need to join in the grocery challenge so I can reduce it over the months).

It does include all the extras for my disabled son but even so I know I will be able to reduce it. I have never kept and accurate record so its a 'best guess' for the first month x x

funkyfunkymonkey

denisefowler wrote: »

You see, now this just shouldn't be allowed to be posted - it's down right disgusting, putting something as mouthwateringly, chocolatey, melt in the mouth scrummy as this on here - I've put on 5lbs just reading the recipe..... :EasterBun (oooh, I've been wanting to use that smilie for aaaages...:D )

Thanks (scoff, chomp, scoff) very much (munch, munch, scoff) FFM, :rotfl:

I've made lots of these cakes and I am so relieved when the other monkeys have eaten them, but they are soooo tempting when they are around. They go really nice with cream too.

Turns me into a choccy monster

FFM

Mrs._Irwin

Well, we failed spectacularly at keeping the spending diaries in June, but we start afresh tomorrow!
Please put me down for £250 for two adults and a tiny baby. I'm including groceries, household, toiletries and takeaways and food when out that should have been brought from home, but not meals out or drinks when breastfeeding in town (don't want to start a Starbucks habit, but the changing room is not an appropriate place to feed a baby!)

Just before the baby was born, I'd stocked up on baking ingredients, so I shall aim to have one day this week when I do some baking, and start using the breadmaker every day again.

Mrs. Irwin
xx

Flylady_Flower

Phew, finally caught up with all the posts - eyes a bit funny now and not sure if it's all the reading i've just done or my new glasses - god they're strong....

Well, loads of newbies, so WELCOME TO YOU ONE AND ALL!

Went shopping with my Mum and DD today - tried to save mum some money - trouble is, she is pretty much set in her way - she loves her brands and HAD to have her Anchor butter (but did get 2 tubs of flora buttery as on special - 2 for £1.50!

Did get her to 'downshift' on a few things - mcvities biccies and walkers crisp for instance - but it was hard work. she won't go back to soap powder either, says it messes up her washing machine - didn't for years though, don't know why it does now? . I'm going round next weekend to help sort out her finances - just had a bill in from gas and after monthly payments still owes £140 - even though she's paid £300 off already (she pays £50 per month) - she's quite upset as this is the first time EVER she's still had money outstanding on a statement and she's really worried they're going to put it up again - ridiculous the amount they charge our OAP's!.

Good thing is she knows she needs help so is going to get on here once her computer is sorted out - hopefully tomorrow - so we'll soon have her OS! (she used to be, just got to get her thinking that way again.) Anyone else talked someone round and got any tips????

I've had a miserable afternoon, felt really bleugh when got back and now have a headache and feel dizzy - really don't know why and a bit worried as I am starting new 'job' tomorrow and need to go to Hemel Hempstead (about 40 mins away). Was going to do soooo much but did nothing, not baked a single muffin and even had cottage pie out of the freezer as didn't want to cook (thank goodness for batch cooking...)

So off to bed now I think with a glass of water as I want to be bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow (God, no chance of that now - just seen the time :eek: ) - hopefully feel better in the morning..., but just had to catch up before I went.

Happy GC to all,
Denise x

Blairweech

Hi, I'm back!

Have been in the process of breaking up wth fiance/moving house/learning to live on my own for the past few months. Have only just got my internet access sorted again. Anyway, now that no-one else is around to mess up my plans, it will make my financial life a lot easier

So, £100 for me for July please

Menu plan:
- Seven layer tortilla pie, with potato wedges and salad
- Creamy chicken and potato casserole, with rice
- Spaghetti bolognese, with garlic bread
- Sausage and mash, with veg and onion gravy
- Steak and ale pie with veg and chips or mash
- Spanish omelette wih salad
- Nosh up

Just done a shopping list at mysupermarket and the things I need for the week *should* come to about £25. Most of that is veg though, so am going to check out my greengrocer tomorrow before work and see if they are cheaper for anything.

hope you all have a good month :wave:

Sian_the_Green

I'm very excited to start the challenge. I get paid in the middle of the month but will start at the calendar month to make life easier. I went camping with some friends this weekend and we ate a lot of food, managed to bring home all the spare bread rolls and 2 half bottles of wine; one of my friends looked appalled that I would drink wine that had been opened the day before...Ha, little does she know, if it doesn't taste too good it will end up in my dinner.:beer:
There is definitely a divide between pro and against money savers, some of my friends have been really interested when I have told them some tips I learnt from you guys , others think it is ridiculous, funnily enough one of them had to be subbed money this weekend as her account is empty

angchris

please could you put me down for £100 for july for 1 dog 2 adults +1 teen boy (who eats far more than the adults :rolleyes: )
oh got paid on the 22nd so im a week in already, i have already bought half a lamb for £44 from the butcher so that leaves me £56 for the rest of the month :eek: should be doable though if i really stretch the meals i intend to cook.
i have made a tub of my own washing powder yesterday (costs pence to make and lasts me for monthsss.)
heres the recipe if anyones interested:-
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
1 cup grated bar of soap

throw it all in an old tub with a lid and give it a quick mix, and i use about 2 tablespoons worth a wash.

tomorrow/today i intend to make some flapjacks for ds and make some soup out of the lamb bones (12p :j )that i simmered in the slow cooker the other day and shoved in the fridge with the lamb stock to skim it and forgot about them there was absolutely loads of meat left on the bones...sod the dog im getting a meal out of those bones first :rotfl:
what im about to say may sound gross to some but i dont care i have taken my moneysaving one step further this month and decided to save on bog roll as it was costing us a fortune after seeing my friend use washable wipes on her babys bum i thought to myself hmmmm now theres no reason whatsoever why i couldnt give that a go myself sooooo...i now use washable bog roll which in reality is just flannels :cool: have not taken it to the extreme of no. 2`s if ya get my meaning :rotfl:and there is of course proper toilet roll hanging for guests (even im not that tightfisted...imagine even asking your guests :eek: :rotfl: ) it has already been very noticable that the toilet rolls are lasting much much longer and i will over the course of the year save a tidy bundle of dosh and its no extra work really the flannels just get washed when im putting the machine on anyway.
anyway now i`ve grossed all of you guys out and put you off your dinner i`ll leave quietly by the back door ....bye

greent

angchris wrote: »

i have made a tub of my own washing powder yesterday (costs pence to make and lasts me for monthsss.)
heres the recipe if anyones interested:-
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
1 cup grated bar of soap


what im about to say may sound gross to some but i dont care i have taken my moneysaving one step further this month and decided to save on bog roll as it was costing us a fortune after seeing my friend use washable wipes on her babys bum i thought to myself hmmmm now theres no reason whatsoever why i couldnt give that a go myself sooooo...i now use washable bog roll which in reality is just flannels :cool:

I make my own washing stuff too - although I gloop mine up into a gel form :-) Find my clothes are softer and don't have the artificial smell of washing powders

Like the idea of flannels - will think about it for use in ensuite only (that way no-one else is involved/ will see!!)

Just noticed - you're in Gloucester - and so am I!!!

GT