September 2008 Grocery Challenge. Please read first two posts.

MRSMCAWBER

Hi Guns

Yep... I was moaning about potatoes a couple of weeks back for the exact same reason... they seem to go "rubbery" and have bruises inside, and just don't keep :mad: .. I guess its down to the manky weather....
Im hoping now we seem to be going onto "winter" meals I will get through them quickly enough to buy bigger bags

We have just had corned beef hash n dumplings I LOVE dumplings and even though hubby had a second plate full -with 2 slices of hm bread we have enough to make a pie tomorrow... and the leftover liquid i will strain off will get turned into a pan of soup :rotfl:

Well I was at the Dr. this morning and came away with 3 things on prescription -bloomin glad we don't pay for prescriptions out here :T what are the rates now? about £7 an item? :eek: ..Have to go back tomorrow for injections into the muscles in the back of my shoulder ..apparently my muscles have set solid which explains me keep losing the use in it... its lots of fun trying to turn over in bed -then realising that you have a dead arm :rotfl: I have to pick it up with the other hand to move it ...

Knitting/x stitching is a no no right now - so i will get off and get some paper and a pen and plan my potio apotment for next year (I will have 17 varieties of tomatoes -so need to plan carefully )
I have another 4lbs of tomatoes to roast tomorrow too :j The peppers show no sign of ripening yet -so if they don't get a riddle on I will fetch the little blighters in and slice n freeze em
Not sure why my toms have done so well -especially as they are all outdoors and were left alone for 3 weeks in the middle of the season ....hopefully with a bit more planning -next season will be better:D
right enough waffle ..will get off..only came on to answer Guns

angelatgraceland

amethystcash wrote: »

Angelatgraceland just wondering how you got free delivery from Asda?

I always use the evouchers you can find on here.
Here is one of the links:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discountfinder/
You bank the evoucher and make sure you use it on your online shop. I can pm you a code if you need one. There are other sites online if you google for asda discount codes or asda evouchers. They normally give you either £5 or a free delivery one.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK274&q=asda+evouchers&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

angelatgraceland

rellaella wrote: »

I am new to this and would like to join the Grocery Challenge. Spending has got a little out of control recently but am ready to get back on track. Used to allow £400 per month for shopping and misc bits and pieces but need to reduce this to around £250 per month.

Grocery Challenge Sept so far £108.54/£250

Well you are halfway there because firstly, you actually had a budget and were already aware.
Secondly-you found us!!! Well maybe the first and second shoul be around the other way but I think you deserve credit where its due! Welcome aboard!

angelatgraceland

mumofjusttwo wrote: »

Well spent 10.90 today. Went to the cafe with DS and DD as it was his first day at big school then had to go to A&E with DD and bought a drink and snake.

Snake? Oh I hope its a shake!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Bertibots:
Yes-I always keep a couple of cartons of longlife. I like the fullcream uht as I can make yoghurts with it, custard,rice pudding etc etc. If running low but still have a couple of pints left I add it to the fresh milk as we dont really like drinking the UHT as it doesnt taste the same. I did try sterilised milk this time and while it would be fine for cooking I thought it really did taste weird! Funny really as when I was small my mums favourite was steriles milk which was ordered fresh from the milkman. I never did like it thought.

Jackie O:
You go foraging, I go hunting. When I go out on my lunchbreak shopping I say Im going hunting. Im sure they think Im mad but I think many on here will understand what I mean. Hunting for bargains!

Julimk:
Glad my idea was helpful. What I did for my DD was I sent away for a chefs outfit for her as she fancied one. Got her a chef jacket and hat from Simon Jersey(ordered online)and I bought some chef fabric for the trousers which I made along with an apron and neckerchief from ebay. Now I know that sounds like spending money but in the longterm it has saved it and got her truly "on board" with me. It has also giver her an interest and lifeskills so for a total of about £40 it was money well spent.
For a younger child a nice chefs apron might do the trick though.My dd wore her outfit to a fancy dress party too as she was so proud of it!

greent: I like your "mice" mix!

JackieO: Re the marvel milk; add a little cold water to your tea or coffe before adding it to your cuppa in powder form. Otherwise let it cool down a bit. I mix mine in a jug woth slightly warm water and leave to cool before adding it to my cuppa otherwise it does clump.

herewegoagain: If you put your green toms in a bowl with the red ones they tend to help them ripen! Not sure how-some chemichal reaction #I guess-I think banans will also do the same.

rockie4

Ah well, budget almost blown after tonights shop :mad: Never mind, I thought it was a bit unrealistic to hope to manage on £150.....spend so far £146.80 BUT I should only need odd bits now i.e. milk and perhaps loo rolls.
Normal spend is budgeted at £200 but I always spend more:o

I had to buy potatoes tonight :mad: we've used up all the homegrown ones and yes the manky spud is due to the weather even a few of ours have had bruises inside.

I did get some bargains at Asda, savoury rice 5 for £1:D (free food on SW green days)
2 baking ingredients for £1 (brown sugar and sultanas)
GFY Lime and coriander marinade 10p :eek: ok for OH's salmon:rolleyes:
and a nice big cauliflower for 50p:D

carolt2

Evening everyone, just logged on to update signature, spent £14.32 at morrisons yesterday.
For anyone thats interested Mr M has got utterly butterly on offer at half price (60p)

Got a planned shop to Mr T coming up over the next few days.

angelnikki

mummygems wrote: »

Thanks ladies. I do buy the value fruit & veg but its not always possible (like this week I needed butternut squash for a recipe but got this on the market).

MrT has just started doing Market Value Fruit & Veg not sure how they compare to real market prices though.

The items include (among others)

Fruit: apples pack 95p, bananas pack 65p, 500g red grapes £1.19, 500g green grapes £1.19, strawberries £1.49, oranges pack 69p, peaches pack 94p, pears pack 75p, Kiwis 65p, nectarines 94p, raspberries £1.64, plums 69p, lemons 4pck 59p, mango 49p,

Veg: 1KG carrots 48p, 3pck courgettes 55p, 500g parsnips 88p, cauliflower 59p, cabbage 45p, broccoli 99p/KG, 350g closed cup mushrooms 70p, butternut squash 65p, mixed peppers 3pck £1.19, cucumber 54p, 250g cherry tomatoes 39p, round tomatoes pck 59p, iceberg lettuce 50p, little gem lettuce 2pck 45p, bunch salad onions 39p, garlic 3pck 39p, sweetcorn twinpack 79p, 175g babycorn 88p, 350g stir fry veg 75p

Potatoes: 2.5KG 73p, 5KG £1.46, 2.5KG baking potatoes £1.79, 1KG salad potatoes 99p, 800g sweet potatoes 89p


I know some people have been able to get the value potatoes etc for a long time but this is the first time that they've been available for me to buy online. :j I got the value baking potatoes this week and they look really good

In answer to your original question, I try to stick to cheaper F&V like root veg or frozen/tinned veg and cheaper fruits like apples and stuff that tend to be less expensive than others. HTH

Nikki x

Mrs_Money_Penny

Hi Everyone.

Spent £4 today on lunch out.

Quick question I have a tomato plant in a pot in the garden the tomatoes are all green. Am I right in thinking I need to bring them in and put them in a brown paper bag and wait for them to turn red. Or is this an old wives tell?

chocolateteddy

Aldi are doing red grapes a 500g punnet for 69p and the ones I had were delicious and crisp That makes it £1.38 a kilo!! I noticed asda's this week were £2.98 a kilo!! bit of a difference!! As part of Aldi's super six they also have 8 kiwi's, 6 oranges, 6 pears, 7 apples and twin pack of sweetcorn all at 69p. Not sur if they are all competitive but certainly grapes and kiwis are
I haven't looked at tesco's new market range yet but some of the prices look ok will have to check them out next time I am that way. Not doing bad this month so far but have had other spends. DS car seat broke (won't tighten harness properly) so had to buy a new one! £49.99! good job I had a succesful car boot two weeks ago shame as I was trying to save for a holiday next year.

angelatgraceland

Mrs_Money_Penny wrote: »

Hi Everyone.

Spent £4 today on lunch out.

Quick question I have a tomato plant in a pot in the garden the tomatoes are all green. Am I right in thinking I need to bring them in and put them in a brown paper bag and wait for them to turn red. Or is this an old wives tell?

Just put them in a bowl with one or two red one-its like magic in a few days!

I made chilli con carne tongiht but served it in a different way. I had some puff pastry in the fridge which I cooked in squares and served on top of the chilli mince like a pie. I served it with tinned pots and sliced green beans. Made a nice change from rice.