December 2008 Grocery Challenge

[Deleted User]

Mr T's do a packet of 500g of grated cheese for around 1.99 ,excellent for sandwiches or jacket spuds and cheaper than buying a block of cheese.It keeps well in the fridge I just put a plastic peg over the opening after its folded down

Blairweech

Gailey - try buying a gammon joint and boiling it. Cheaper and nicer than packet ham!

Definitely make biscuits and cakes from scratch

Have you considered 'bulk' cooking i.e. when you cook curry, make enough for 6 portions and put 3 in the freezer, that way you have homemade ready meals!

Do your shopping online using MySupermarket to price check. This makes sure you are getting the cheapest product.

Fresh herbs - buy fresh herbs, chop them up and put them in ice cube trays with a little water (herby ice cubes). When you want herbs,just chuck a cube into whatever you are making - tastes like fresh, with all the convenience of dried (this way you can buy herbs when they are reduced). Or grow your own!

Kiwisaver_2

I am terrible at wasting fruit, I feel all virtuous and healthy buying it because we should, and then it gets left in the fruitbowl until it walks or gets thrown away. So now I have no shame, if I want two apples I just get two and don't feel compelled to buy more.

On a Sunday I generally make a batch of muffins with any spare fresh fruit that's floating about. Must say I've tried things I wouldn't have dreamed of in the past. This weekend it was a tub of strawberries (different) because I had no cream or icecream to eat them with, never imagined previously strawberry muffins, but they were mighty fine.

Muffins are my saving grace, dead easy peasy to make, I earn brownie points for being a domestic goddess from the OH. They can be made with almost anything from your store cupboard (dried fruits, coconut, chocolate chips, lemon curd, jam, grated carrot and ginger, cocoa, coffee and nuts. I use oil instead of butter, so only need a couple of eggs and we always have plenty of those. The big bonus being leftover bits and bobs get used up and usually something in the tin to grab with a cup of tea or shove in the lunch box. I usually keep some raspberries and blueberries in the freezer for the days when I don't have other stuff available.

Sometimes I make savoury muffins for a lunch option, combinations of frozen sweetcorn, bacon, spinach, mushrooms, cheese, onion, ham, peppers. Again, only limited by my imagination and whatever is left in the fridge.

Did a stupid shop today, bought stuff that I can't get from my regular supermarket and nothing much there to account for the $33.82 I spent, tempted by a couple of specials, so I came out with stuff I don't need and wishing I never went in.

Allegra

Kiwisaver wrote: »

Muffins are my saving grace, dead easy peasy to make, I earn brownie points for being a domestic goddess from the OH. They can be made with almost anything from your store cupboard (dried fruits, coconut, chocolate chips, lemon curd, jam, grated carrot and ginger, cocoa, coffee and nuts. I use oil instead of butter, so only need a couple of eggs and we always have plenty of those. The big bonus being leftover bits and bobs get used up and usually something in the tin to grab with a cup of tea or shove in the lunch box. I usually keep some raspberries and blueberries in the freezer for the days when I don't have other stuff available.

Sometimes I make savoury muffins for a lunch option, combinations of frozen sweetcorn, bacon, spinach, mushrooms, cheese, onion, ham, peppers. Again, only limited by my imagination and whatever is left in the fridge.

And scones ! Don't forget scones ! Done in 20 minutes, cheap and easy, and different every time as you can bung pretty much anything in and they will still taste delicious...

rockie4

I was lazy this week and got MrT to deliver last night so that and a few bits that OH got from Morrissons for me came to £66.95 but I'm fully stocked with basics so we should manage for a bit.

The only thing I forgot to get was cooking oil :doh: so I'll send OH for some tomorrow.........I'm getting to like having him at home while I work, it's a bit like having a wife :rotfl:

fedupnow

I'm just nipping in to boast that I haven't spent a single bean so far.... not on milk or veg or anything. I don't need to yet either:j :j

How? I hear you cry!!!

Well, the OH has gone away for a few days.

So A BIG TIP to all newbies, oldies and everybody-else-a-bies

SEND YOUR PARTNER OFF TO THEIR MUM'S!!!!

AND you get to hold the remote!!!

bullet_2

If it's not too late, please could I be put down for £330 this month.

oligeo

I'm a newbie to this grocery challenge. I really really need to cut down even more than I had done. But I've just discovered ALDI!! What a great shop!

Can you put me in for £400 for December please

We're two adults and two kids, and in my grocery budget is food, cleaning and laundry products, toiletries, and medicine (just had to go out and get more cough syrup, calpol, and nurofen for kiddies).

Looking forward to reading all your expert tips!

Sarah

mummy2mygirls

Ok been to mrT today and spent a fair bit (65.94) but for me and for a full weeks worth i think i did well, still got places to improve but on the way to saving lots normally i would easierly have spent over £100 so im a happy mummy...also have soo much food so dont really feel like i have missed out on lots, have so much fruit and veg, also brought some sweet potatoes for the first time (sad i know, i have never got them before as i never really knew what to do with them.....)

cw18

I bought some sweet potatoes for a specific recipe within the last 6 months -- and "never again" was the verdict of the family. Used the last few mixed with normal spuds for mash, and that didn't go down well with anyone either !!!