August 2008 Grocery Challenge

belfastgirl23

Just had a quick read through the thread so far and oh dear I am now STARVING. And I don't know if I want cake or tortillas!

Anyhow popping in to set my target for August. I've had a bit of a debate about it since I've got to get my car fixed today and it means I'm driving right next to a lidl (our locals are all about a 20 min drive for me). So I'm gonna do a biggish shop there and stock up on all our Lidl essentials. But I'll also need to do a tesco online in the middle of the month since I have heavy stuff to stock up on that I can't get in lidl. Anyway upshot is that I'm upping my GC total to £150 for August. Partly too in recognition of the fact that I've gone way over the last couple of months. And partly because I like to stock up before heading off on hols in September.

Sounds like we're all enthusiastic for the month ahead!

Little_Belle

Well I suprised myself for July because I came in under £200 by £20!!!! which as the month before I was over £20 over the budget! So £200 again for me please..

I was thinking would it be easier to manage my GC budget if I withdrew £200 at the beginning of the month and paid for my shopping with cash not card...? is that something you guys do anyway?? I was thinking that way its also easier to save whats left from the budget rather than it still just being in the balance of the joint account..??

savingfortravel

Happy Birthday Orkneystar!!!!
How's the new tesco working out?
SFT

savingfortravel

Herbaholic
Blueberry Crumble Cake looks delicious....OB is delighted that he can use his blueberrys for it. We might make it later.
Little Belle-Well done with your July Challenge!!
SFT

*BigBird*

Can I ask a question, which will probably make me sound extremely thick? How do I turn my chicken carcass into chicken stock?

Do I break it into bits, or put it in whole?
Slow cooker or pan on the stove?
How much water?
How long for?
Bubbling furiously or simmering gently?

Can you tell I've never done this before?! :rotfl:

And can I freeze the stock afterwards?

MRSMCAWBER

Hi bigBird

I make my stock in a pan... make sure you take the skin off or it will be really greasy.. then I add any carrot ends/peelings, celery bits etc oh and if you want a darker stock then throw in the skin from onions as it goes a caramel colour I break the carcass up too, cover with cold water, bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer for as long as you want really -i usually forget mine is there for at least a couple of hours ... If you cook it for a long time it will take the gelatine out of the bones and when it cools it goes like jelly -it means that it takes up less room in the freezer but you can let it down a bit when you need it as the flavour is concentrated.. hope that makes sense :rotfl:

savingfortravel

findingmyfeet-Just read about your camping trip in France on July Challenge-A great hol funded by your GC savings.
Wow what an achievement-certainly a great incentive for us!!!!!
What have you got planned next?
SFT

kalojac

Hi, Can you put me down for £300 (£75ish a week for 2 Adults 3 kids) for my month 25th - 24th. If I get on okay this time, I will try and reduce again next month. Potty training going well so this might help reduce my total too. Thanks for this thread/challenge - Kalojac x

turbo5019

Happy Birthday Orkney Star


Well I was trying for NSD's till DH gets paid on thurs but relised I had run out of yoghurts & butter also need to get a few bit before baby arrives so MOC out of NOW yesterday £5 off when you spend £30 and bulked buy things like washing liquid, toilet roll etc. I was very good did my list on my supermarket and I only got what was on the list thats a first for me. so only spent 88p over the £30. So that is it for July I am going to declare £186.28 thats £13.72 under budget :j I am going to try a week of NSD I have so much food in house really i could go most of aug with out spending much so we will see.

Don't know if anyone has posted this but MrT luxury soft toilet rolls have 4 rolls free 16 for price of 12 £4.69.

Better go update sig

MissPin

Happy New Budget everyone!

Can you please put me down for £100 for August please Penny! I will edit my sig when I find my receipts!!

Off for a few days in Spain now...no spend days here I come!