August 2008 Grocery Challenge

Brighton_belle

Ooooh, thought I'd blown my 1st GC but discovered today I had double entered a £26 spend last week so looks like I'll make my £200 budget. All meals planned for rest of month, plus milk in freezer and restocked with fruit today + 28 x14p red peppers from veg man:j . Cutting roasting & freezing tomorrow:A . So chuffed re budget. That a 13% reduction on spending from July. Just need to not spend a penny more on food before 1st September. Wouldn't even be attempting this if if weren't for everyone here:T .

Anzac_Biscuit

I'm being a bit naughty and starting this week early (today rather than tomorrow). Will do proper shop tomorrow. I've been struggling a bit the last few days and have eaten out L,D today as well as yesterday lunch. Just fell off the bandwagon and ran out of time to sort out meals in advance. The food's all there, just not leaving enough time to cook rice etc. Still, it's been a pretty massive week - I'm looking for a violin teacher and have had two lessons this week, as well as dancing. Very stressful (but exciting too, and great that I can afford it now).

I'm planning a careful shop this weekend - still got a fair amount of food in the freezer that can be bulked up if necessary, but need fruit, veg, milk etc.

nicnacnoo

spent £49.55 the other day in morrisons, totally forgot to update my sig so have done now, ive got £16.90 to last til the end of the month, next Sunday and i think ive got enough stuff to last, will only need milk and maybe fruit n veg, should be fine.
Gonna try again next month, will change how i shop tho, gonna do meal plan and shopping list and stick to it, thats the plan anyway!!! although my daughter starts school and will be having packed lunch, need to make sure i keep on top of that and not buy too much!

bails

great to hear your cat's back Sasha!

annie123

scotsaver wrote: »

I just wanted to ask if anyone is having a problem with their Tomatoes not ripening, I've got hundreds of Green ones but no sign of Red ones and I've not done anything different this year and they are in a Greenhouse and I live in Kent. Anyone having the same problem or any ideas on how I can get them to ripen.

Dont worry, many are late this year,(depending on which type) mine included, lack of warmth and sun can cause late toms. Mine were late last year as well.

They should start over the next few weeks to turn red. If not placing green ones with a red one on a window sill works. couldn't do that yet, far too many on the plants at the moment

Barneysmom

angelnikki wrote: »

No need to buy it - you can read the whole book here for free
How to feed your whole family a healthy, balanced diet... (Webook)

Nikki x

I'm so glad this link's here, my dad came on Sunday and took the book home! :rotfl:

Hope every body is ok, my time has been so tight this month, work has been really crazy and I don't think I've had so many visitors! :beer:
Thanks to everyone who has made this so good.

Anzac_Biscuit

BigMummaF wrote: »

To the peeps who are moving in to their first homes
<snip> lots of good advice </snip>

Sorry for double-posting but thanks for this! My bf and I have just decided to move in together some time in the next few months - have both been in share houses for ages (and are both expats so no stealing from parents, ha ha) so I suspect we will have a lot of miscellaneous setting up costs, even if we get somewhere furnished. I've been trying to use up as much of my 'extra' food as I can to make the move easier* but knives, good saucepans etc would be a great idea for birthday/Christmas presents this year!


*and maybe I should slow down on this, or just use up the stuff he doesn't like! :rotfl:

gillaman

Just updated my signature as I spent £3.91 today on streaky bacon, large pot of natural yoghurt and some butter. My brother rang yesterday to ask if he and his partner could call in to see me on Saturday. Haven't seen him in ages so asked him to stay for lunch. I'm veggie so didn't have anything in I thought they'd like so got bacon for sarnies and I've just baked a yoghurt cake - used plain yog and added chopped up tinned pineapple and will use the rest of the yog as starter to make another home made batch. Also have some bread proving, off to bed as soon as it's cooked.

Sashanut - lovely to hear your kitty has returned. I'll bet she sat looking at you wondering what all the panic was about and totally unconcerned.

Scotsaver - my toms in the greenhouse are ripening really well this year, much better than last year. I'm growing Gardeners Delight and Moneymaker. The outside ones are mostly still green. I read somewhere that they ripen quicker if you feed them twice a week. I'm trying this as I still have a lot of green tomatoes and, although the weather is supposed to be better in September, I'd like to get as many turning red as possible.

4Moneysaver

Good moning all, I'm up bright and early as I'm off to see my Mum and Dad down in Devon and have an early train to catch. Hope everyone has a great day, hugs to those that need 'em and smiles all round.

susan946

Good morning everybody.

The sky has turned a strange shade of blue here and there's an unfamiliar yellow ufo. What's going on?

Should be a nsd for me today as far as gc is concerned but I'm going out with my daughter to buy new school uniform for gs. He starts senior school next term and so a big spend for her. Also said I would get him some wellie boots as when he's with me next week we can go to the pyo for runner beans to go in the freezer. I think after I've bought the boots I shall have to hide my purse.

I must put the bm on after brekkie so dh can have bread with his whoopsied kipper fillets for lunch. He loves them and I'm sure all the oils must be good for him!!

Have a good day all.

Sue