February 2009 Grocery Challenge

rosieben

I'm still under budget because I didn't go shopping today as planned; quite pleased because I'd probably have spent another £30 or £40 on stuff that I don't need just now. I may do an online shop next week for a bulky/heavy items stock up and that could put me over for the month - I'm beginning to see the benefit of an annual budget

SunnyGirl

Hi All,

The kids are on half term & are eating me out of house & home :eek: Despite baking every other day there is hardly anything left in the fridge or snacky stuff in the cupboards! I know 3 of them are growing boys but there must be a limit Got my list written out for tomorrows shop & I have to say I think I'll be getting near to £80 - £100 at the rate it's growing The last week will be interesting to say the least I have managed to freeze some leftover mash for potato cakes next week & a portion of chilli though

MadamMim2013

Yippieeee another NSD.... 2 in a row!! This is really helping me feel like I'm back in control!

elizabunny

Just popped back on to say that the Oxtail Stew was a complete success. DH loved it and so it's back on the menu (after 30 years:rotfl: ) I had forgotton how rich and filling it was and we have enough left over for HM Oxtail Soup tomorrow.

I have updated my sig. now and it does look rather bleak for the next 10 days, but I'm going to go for damage limitation now, so won't get hung up about going over a little.

Regarding 'Mince' how about mincing up your own. Yes, you do have the initial outlay for whatever tyoe of mincer you buy, but then you get to choose the cuts of lean meat that you want to use and and you know what's in it. I made 250gm lean beef minced go a very long way and think it was worth the effort.

zarazara

from feb 16th onwards. £48 spent today.

starflower_2

NSD for me today, plus came home with a full shopping bag!!! :j

Got into work this morning to discover I'd won a raffle a colleague had arranged, so won a bottle of wine and box of biscuits!!!!

Then to MIL's this afternoon, she was having a cupboard clearout and dh has been round for the past 2 days doing odd jobs, she's stuck in a wheelchair just now due to a botched knee op and FIL has a bad heart and the cold weather has knocked him for six. Anyway, she has a terrible habit of buying every BOGOF in the supermarket whether she needs it or not, and ends up throwing it away, plus she is on a special diet right now due to new medication she is on so I arrived home with 4 turkey breasts, a huge block of cheese, 2 packs of ham, 2 packs of frozen pastry, tin of beans, tin of soup, 2 x tinned sponge puddings, bag of porridge oats, jar of curry sauce and a jar of strawberry jam!!!! She does this every so often but I've always taken it for granted to be honest until I started OS and today I could've hugged her!!!! (well i did actually, poor soul is having a rough time just now )
I think now I can probably get away with a minimal top-up shop at the beginning of next week of bread, milk, some fresh fruit & veg, so may well come within budget afterall!!!!!!:T

So i did some cleaning for her while I was there, and put a casserole on for their tea, and I've taken her laundry away and have washed it, drying just now and will iron it tomorrow, also going to have them round for tea next weekend to say thanku!!!!

Rowan9

Hello - haven't posted for a while but I have just gone through my receipts and updated sig. I'm beginning to go through an eating out of freezer stage so shouldn't have an awful lot more to buy this month. Have apples and bananas and although I fancy different fruit, I'm sticking with these until they are gone! same with veg. Have half of 2 types of cabbage, one onion and a tiny piece of carrot, + potatoes but also have frozen veg so will use that up. I need bread at some point so might try to get some reduced one evening. Have enough cheese and ham for sandwiches for work. DH is away until Tues. Buying a large chicken from our butcher last weekend was such a good deal as we had loads for 2 meals and I have frozen quite a bit of it as well. Still trying not to do all my spending in supermarkets but it does get difficult time-wise sometimes.
Good luck everyone - the end of the month is (almost) in sight!
w

Reverbe

spent £1 on a 6 pack of special flavour Walkers crisps...

Reverbe

longtimelurker wrote: »

Nearly blew food budget by going out for a nice dinner on V.Day. Sat next to Richard E Grant though - so worth it

OOh do tell more. I love Richard. Was he on his own? I hear his wife doesnt really go out much. I used to see quite a lot of him as my flatmate used to work local to him and I have seen him a lot at events here and there too. He always speaks. I think he thinks he knows us. My flatmate is the type to say hi to everyone and be all round sparky and I have seen REG bout the place but usually alone or with friends or a coupla times with his daughter.

MadamMim2013

Starflower, MIL and FIL are probably very glad to have you around and it seems the help goes both ways! Good for you