August 2008 Grocery Challenge

mandy_moo_1

lainz wrote: »

Well I'm really :mad: . I went to Mr T after work to get a few bits and my cat really likes the little foil trays of cat food (but only the chicken and ham flavour) I have been buying them at 20p each - so they work out ok, went to get some today 39p:eek: , and only the chicken and ham flavour, all the other flavours are 20p AND to add insult to injury there's a sign on the shelf edge with the price in big letters and 'Everyday low prices'. I was buying it 2 weeks ago at 20p :mad: . Suffice to say I didn't buy any, had a look on the tesco website and I can't email to complain - I can phone at 6p a minute - and you know what they can do with that idea .

Whiskas it is then - humph!

before i forget...you can ring tesco customer services on 0800 505555

if you ever have to ring an 0845 or 0870 number, and you get free ''geographical'' numbers off your telephone ie you get free calls to other landlines, always have a look at http://www.saynoto0870.com/ cos it lists loads of numbers you don't have to pay for

anyhoo, mornin all :wave:

been out of action for a couple of days as my comp was eaten alive by a virus...ended up having to get a new hard drive put in, so i'll try and catch up on as many posts as i can!

i'm gonna have to give in and go to Mr M's this morning...DS15 is moaning that i never buy yogurts (think crunch corner are on offer there at the mo...2 packs of 6 for £2), plus he wants fruit, biscuits, ham, crisps etc. i must admit, the fridge IS bare!! when he's at school, i never have to buy stuff like that, so i guess my spends will be a bit :eek: this month!!

got my dog groomer lady coming round this morning to shave Ruby's tummy, ready for when the pups arrive ( they're due about 1st sept ) i'm dead excited :jabout the pups i mean...not the groomer coming round!! she doesn't want anything for doing it, so that's a bonus, as i've just forked out for the comp!

anyway, hope you all have a good day. ((((hugs)))) to anyone who wants/needs one, and welcome to all the newbies who've joined us xx

findingmyfeet

morning all,

went in to town yesterday and went to have a look in a new butchers shop thats just opened. Got two packs of boiled ham £1.09each and some of their sausage to try , pork and chive for £2. They have loads of stuff but i will try bits and pieces to see if i like them first, then maybe stock up if they are ok. so spent £4.18. did mostly browsing and had to part with £170 for my road tax!!! Then this morning iam sat minding my own business feeling quite good having coffee and cereal and the news crept up on me and announced GAS UP 35%!!!!!!! i nearly choked. Have to see how i can get those bills down . Is there a thread for cheaper gas/elec insulating your home etc ??? Already trying to tackle the petrol bill......money wants to go out the door quicker than we can bring it in! moan over.

have a nice day everyone

smetf

Morning everyone and welcome to newbies :wave:

Cherry and apple pie was a hit (although 2 kids just ate pastry!!)

Off to Baby Cafe today so just need to pack up some sandwiches for the kids, hope it's not too busy dd2 is in habit of waking at 5.30- 6 am and it is just too early for me, feel like my brain is still asleep.

Should be a NSD.
Got to pack as am taking kids to my Dad's for a few days.

BTW would echo Orkney Star on the checking receipts- was not charged the right amount for whoopsies from our Mr. S last month but didn't notice till at home, happened again at Netto on Mon but now am checking so got it back there and then.

Smetf


Wow- got a star!!

Herbaholic

Morning all Hugs to everyone hope today will be better than yesterday and full of lemonade not lemons for everyone.

Teedy - You're so right re your cat comment, my two little thugs lull me into a false sense of security, they 'pretend' to not like whiska's anymore and I try Mr T or MrA's own brand or horror or horror (to them) Kit-eKat and they them make me feel like a terrible mum who doesn't care as they starve, they will eat it eventually but each mouthful is followed by the with the 'just remember, when I'm sick on the carpet and sofa, its all your fault look'. Not that they are usually sick, they just use it to make us feel bad lol! I'm trying to not give in to them and make them eat what they're given, even tried giving the starving children in Africa lecture that I used to get as a kid from my Mum. But they just kitty snigger and continue throttling the cat toy mouse!

Sian_the_Green wrote: »

My Mum told me about a book or a play where the main character could deal with any financial hardship as long as she had money for hyacinths. It got me thinking, what one 'luxury' would you never give up as it gives 'meaning' to your life when times are tough?

Hmmm Sian this made me think, the only thing I couldn't give up if I really needed to is my DH, he makes life worth living and without telling the whole sorry tale of my life nobody would understand why I chose him. Been married before, enough said. Can't really say he's a luxury though, he's my lifes constant I was going to say good quality coffee at a push, but I could even learn to live without that. So I think it would have to be my internet connection! No way could I handle life without it, well I probably could, but I'd miss out on so much, the friendly helpful people on this site, the ablity to communicate frequently with friends and family and so many other useful and therapeautic things (not shopping for me, but hacking monsters in RPG style maze games with buddies online), can't beat a good bit of monster bashing to lift the spirits! Especially when the monsters heads always resemble the ex OH :rotfl:
That really made me think Sian, you get today's special thank you :T for making me think about just how good my life is, and making me realise that no matter what, I can live without just about all the so called luxury items that the shops and stores seem to try and make us believe we can't live without! Could you ask your Mum what the book/play was, I'd be interested to find out more....

Herby x

Justamum

I can't keep up with the thread!!!

Anyway, I was over for July :eek:, BUT I'm going to make a valiant attempt to stick to my £84.45 a week budget this month. I really can't afford to dip into the bank account because I desperately want to get rid of the overdraft.

I'm going to try the yellow split pea and coconut dhal with spicy potatoes tonight as I have all the ingredients in.

jediteacher

Morning all.

Just wanted to share that for the first time ever in my entire life I actually had a cooking session. There were things in the fridge that were about to go over and I didn't want to waste them to cooked several meals to freeze. I made:

Chicken in gravy with peas and mushrooms.
Spaghetti bolognaise (sp?)
Stock from the carcass of the chicken which I shall make soup from.
Burgers

I also made a cake/bread for the first time in my life. I made BANANA BREAD and it tastes lovely. DH was shocked that I had actually made it and that it came out alright.

Rain at last here! :j

mama67

Whilst trying to sort out a shop on Mysupermarket, found that Mr T own Rice Krispies are cheaper than value and Mr T organic cornflakes are cheaper than own brand.

Thought it might help anyone who wants to make choc cereal cakes in the next few weeks.

My coalman has just popped round to inform me that a 50kg bag of large coal will be £14 after the weekend and the next size coal down will be £12 come sept.

Kaz2904

Hmm, luxury I couldn't give up. Matching bra and pants. That sounds really vain doesn't it but as I rarely spend money on myself and spend little on clothes it is a good boost to have matching undies on (even if they only cost a fiver!).
My sis came over yesterday and when she was here she wanted some milk for her little boy. She got it out of the fridge and then poured away 1 &3/4 pints of milk from milkman on Monday. She said it was off- it was well in date, didn't smell or anything (I had it in my coffee). My face must have been like :eek: :mad: :eek: :mad: :eek: :mad: :eek: .
We're going out for the day today just over 1hr away. I thought we may aswell take my 8 seater as we can all get in there and split the cost but she's insisting on taking 2 cars. After she left I asked DH if he thought the milk was off and he said no. Then he said "She's a little bit wasteful, unlike you". I think he was a bit chuffed when he was comparing us as he knows how :eek: I felt as I like to not sling stuff.
Sis was really blase about it and said "Oh they'll refund you" but as I don't think it was off I can't complain about it can I.
Moan over now (again). I can't seem to stop moaning this week & I've just shouted at DD for jumping on my back. I think I should just lock myself in a cupboard!:rotfl: . TTFN, Kaz.

Flylady_Flower

findingmyfeet wrote: »

morning all,

went in to town yesterday and went to have a look in a new butchers shop thats just opened. Got two packs of boiled ham £1.09each and some of their sausage to try , pork and chive for £2. They have loads of stuff but i will try bits and pieces to see if i like them first, then maybe stock up if they are ok. so spent £4.18. did mostly browsing and had to part with £170 for my road tax!!! Then this morning iam sat minding my own business feeling quite good having coffee and cereal and the news crept up on me and announced GAS UP 35%!!!!!!! i nearly choked. Have to see how i can get those bills down . Is there a thread for cheaper gas/elec insulating your home etc ??? Already trying to tackle the petrol bill......money wants to go out the door quicker than we can bring it in! moan over.

have a nice day everyone

FindingMyFeet
Go to this urgently - Just done it for myself and my mum on Tuesday and the prices went up on Wednesday so really glad I did - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity - still a few left doing capped who haven't put up prices yet but get in realllllly quick.

also, have you signed up to the email? Martin sent out a reminder to everyone the other day - well worth checking it out as loads of good stuff on it. HTH

Blairweech

Has anyone tried those frozen beans? I cannot get dried ones soft, and find them quite a hassle, so use tins, but wondered if frozen were alright?