November 2008 Grocery Challenge

rach

I don't add lentils any more mumolulu, i add oats instead- much less noticeable!

AuntieH

Hi this looks an interesting challenge, as this is my first month put me down for £350 please.

brummiebabe

Am trying something different this month...see whether it makes any difference. Have been to Home Bargains and Wilkinson today to stock up on a month's worth of toiletries, cleaning stuff, dishwasher tabs etc etc - came in at £53.79. Have ordered my Tesco shop tonight (for delivery tomorrow) and this should be around £90 (but does include 2 big boxes washing powder & nappies, boxes of cereal etc;) ) - the remaining money should then just be used for fresh food.

Will post tomorrow when shopping delivered. So far this month though....53.79

Just to add my target is £360 for 2 adults, 3 children (one in nappies) to include all food, packed lunches, cleaning stuff, contact lens solutions etc etc)

inamess200

Can i add my tupennies worth. My family refused to eat anything with lentils in until i acquired a very cheap slow cooker - I now can make a 500g pack of cheap mince plus 2 tins of value tomaotes and handful of lentils last for 2 meals ( my kids and hubbie eat alot!!) . and the kids and hubbie loved it!! if the lentils are cooked a long time they go quite vcreamy and you can't tell - if they ask tell them its carrott - similar colour!!!

outrageous_monkey

Ooooh, you need to read Mbaz's feed a familyof 4 for £20 a month

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1129333&highlight=mbaz

As for adding lentils to mince, I just throw mine into the SC all at the same time..... the lentils I use tend to disolve so you cant find them. I've also started throwing in a couple of handfuls of oats too........ no-one has noticed yet:D

juliapenguin

My favourite really cheap meal is chopped bacon and onion cooked together for ages till really browned and yummy, then add boiled chopped carrots and garlic and cook 5 minutes longer. Add a big pile of cooked pasta and a bit of cheese and it's surprisingly delicious. I realise it sounds hideous but it's one of my favourite meals even if I'm feeling rich.

A very rich consultant cardiologist friend of mine got the recipe from some German girls he met Interrailing as a student and lived off it for years! He now lives on fresh tuna and organic duck breasts...

got-it-spend-it

The Mbaz thread is great- I'm sure you will find it so useful.

The secret really is to meal plan, audit your store cupboard and freezer so you know what you already have then write shopping list and stick to it. It's worth checking out MySupermarket.com to check out where it's cheapest to get your shopping, even if you don't actually buy online.

Also, don't forget to check out yellow stickered reduced items and whoopsies. This can be a particularly good way to pick up meat and fish cheaply.

I add lentils or a tin of beans to things like chilli, bolognese, shepherd's pie etc to make them go further. Grated carrot is also a great cheap bulker.

Will your family eat porridge for brekky? Value oats are really cheap or homemade bread could save you money if you're into toast.

Good luck with it all. I'm sure you'll get some good advice on here.

Natty68

MrsM can you put me down for £200.00 this month please. We are planning on getting the new fridge/freezer within the next week or so and I intend on filling it up with batch baking if I can :-)

nimbo

hiya,
can i please be put down for £200 again as last month i did go a bit over, BUT my freezer was left open (by me ) so i had to restock!!!!

this month i am going to be strict and include all the lunch time crap that i buy as well as the big shops..... lets see how weel i can do!!!!

Hardup_Hester

Rubber chicken is a cheap option, serve it roast on Sunday with loads of veg, stuffing, yorkies etc, Monday make a pie by adding some cooked chicken & mushrooms to a white sauce & cover with pastry, Tuesday pick off all the last bits of chicken & make special fried rice, Wednesday use the carcase to make soup.
On yesterdays daily thread there was a recipe for Fumble pie that sounded yummy.