December 2008 Grocery Challenge

dink1

Hi Mrs M,

Sorry to hear you have been in hospital, hope you are feeling a little better now, I bet the guys have missed your input. working hard on another nsd. dink

angelatgraceland

OrkneyStar wrote: »

Hi everyone,
people seem to forget Christmas is not about presents, tinsel, food, cake, family parties and expensive gifts etc :think:, it is to mark the birth of Jesus!
Plan to make a late Christmas cake, some mince pies, maybe some other bits and bobs (some gingerbread tree decorations maybe). I think I will be a lurker from now on, simply don't have the time to be online as much these days- am trying to be out and about more (well now our colds are subsiding anyway!) and also play lots with DS too!
Ok, hope this is not too chatty (mods feel free to delete me!). Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and New Year.
OS

Very well said! Whether a believer or a nonbeliever-that is what Christmas is!!!
Ive had at least 2 no spend days so not a lot to tell! DD made a nice pasta meal for us today which was well appreciated as Ive been out today helping a family friend(again). Not yet sure what I will do about my Asda order for the 21st-Ive cut it down a lot which means paying for delivery:eek: :eek: :eek: so I will probably end up cancelling. Having some items delievered from Asda online for Xmas-they still ahve a camera my dd wants(same as mine)and a great little black coat at under £16. Vowing not to buy any more clothes for at least 3 months in 2009. Also ordered a single duvet as me and DH are going to try two singles instead of a kingsize as we firght over the duvet all night. Oh we can but try-2 beds otherwise!
Meat I cooked the other day has lasted well-think there is still some left and it needs using up. Bought some smoked salmon also and that has sort of "dissappeared"-2 dds rather took a fancy to it. DH wanted me to micro it :eek: :eek: :rotfl: :rotfl: no way was I going to "waste it" like that so I told him he must stick to the tinned stuff if he has no taste.:rolleyes:

candygirl

Spent £4.60 on bread, potatoes n choccy today and need to get a few bits at weekend so might come in a bit over this month:o

carolt2

Good evening everyone, just popped in to update signature.
Been spending abit this week trying to stock up, spent £20ish pounds in pet store and £54 in Mr T,
Not much more to buy for Xmas & New year.
So feel pretty pleased and organised for a change.;)


Donnajt, I agree the prices in tesco have gone up, have noticed on my last couple of shops that things seem much more expensive....iceberg lettuce £1.19:eek:

OH is quite happy for me to do the shopping. he knows that i always work out whats cheaper per lb/kilo etc to make sure we get the most for our money

tessie_bear

good evening....i hope everyone is going strong im looking forward to the kids breaking up for a rest (some hope)just wanted to say i have found the aldi 39p parsnips sprouts clementines are very good only thought the sprouts didnt last as long as others i have bought but for the money fab.....im hoping to get some for thebig day next week i have discovered asda smartprice passata its 39p for a tetrapack and its been good in chilli and spag bol i was suprised how much prices have gone up sp tuna 55p a tin and cheapo noodles 10p im gutted about the tuna ive used that to make a few cheap meals over the years and also for sandwich fillings...it seems a huge price rise but i suppose u have to get on with it.....oh and the 4p curry sauce was 20p still cheap but a rather large price increase

sparklymessygirl

hello (probably no-one around at this time of night - you know when you are dog tired but just get sucked in by the internet:rolleyes: ...)

Anyway - a quick update seeing as I am halfway through my December grocery challenge - I am doing better than in previous months as I have got about half my budget (of £160) left. I have been aided by OH paying on one shopping trip so I don't have to count that - oh - I forgot too that he bought "me" (!) 3 lots of 8.55Kg for £10 Persil too. My neighbours have also provided dinner three times this month (because it was Eid and because they are lovely!)

If anyone likes Rooibos tea - I have spotted packs of 40 for £1 in Asda - they only had Earl Grey when I was there but it is very nice too. naturally caffeine free and full of antioxidants :T

I have run out of wine now and have vowed not to buy any more this month - won't be too tough as spending Christmas at parents and they will have loads there - so just need to keep going without any for one more week (I find this quite tough as am bit stressed at the moment with work). Have resisted big tins of chocs on offer which have been my downfall in previous months.

Have made big pot of soup each weekend and wondering whether last Sundays will last until tomorrow...?(vegetarian). I'm sure in the old days they used to eat it for a week...(the soup is following the recipe from Asda's packet of Moroccan Seasoning - chickpeas, tomatoes, spices, soya beans, coriander - delicious)

Ok - am off to bed.
(Nice to be part of a challenge :beer: )

Sparkly

justpeyton4now

nickynoo08 wrote: »

I also dont find makro any cheaper, you can get a lot of good deals in home bargains (a personal fav of mine) and in other shops or even internet.

I love home bargains also. I tend to get the "treat" type foods there for far less than the grocery shops. DH loves the sensation crisps and I get them for 39p there versus 89p and up elsewhere. I just have to put them in single serve portions in bags and hide the rest from him. :rotfl:

Another good place is Approved Foods. Their stock changes frequently and there is shipping cost, yet you can get some items for a great price. http://www.approvedfood.co.uk/

My final fave is B&M. I have a number of them close by and save a bundle there.

sharronej

I'm off to the late night shopping tonight and when I get back I will sit down with all the receipts I have gathered and work out where I'm up to! I know I had one disaterous trip to Mr T where I spent £34.00 on bits and pieces and medicines!

liney

About the OP of the 2006 thread: Her shopping list which she posted contained barely any fruit or veg and her menu plan contained items she hadn't bought. Of course when questioned she always screamed that it was a "witch hunt" and people were always persecuting her because she was such a good moneysaver.....

It was completely unrealistic, and in my opinion dangerous to have people striving to feed themselves and 2 growing children on such a small amount.

By all means, save money on your groceries, and i know you are having your fruit and veg boxes delivered so will not be in the same situation as the 2006 OP, but please remember to put your health above moneysaving. I think dragging all your toiletries out is a great idea and will do the same later

Penelope_Penguin

Nikkei wrote: »

So not only am I asking you can you still feed 1 mouth for £12.50 a week, but can you feed 3 mouths for £6.72 each a week.

All and any help really appreciated.

Many Thanks

Nikkei

You've got loads of really good tips here :T I'll add this to the current Grocery Challenge. Take a look at the first couple of posts. The people on that thread really know how to save on groceries, and you should get loads of help to keep your spends to a level you're comfortable with

Penny. x