August 2009 Grocery Challenge

hamish222

Going to try and get back on track. Looking to spend 200 in September. Have a bulging freezer and going to use before I buy. Also plan to put my budget in seperate purse and spend from that rather than swiping my switch and then accidently misplacing the receipts:rolleyes:. Was watching economy gastronomy and decieded that buying bargains is one of my major downfalls. I am a sucker for buy one get one free.

cw18

turbo5019 wrote: »

Just one question I have loads of cooked frozen roast chicken if I was to make a chicken pie with it can it be refrozen or not?

I wouldn't personally.

The only way to even risk freezing it again would be to toally reheat it while it out. And then you'd have to cook it again (3rd time) when you actually wanted to use it.

I'm not fussy about 'use by' or 'best before' dates (my nose decides for me, followed by a taste test), but once cooked meat comes out of the freezer it gets eaten (by us or the dogs)

Julimk

We are now back from our 3 weeks in Oz. DD specifically requested shark & FIL bought some lovely Gummy, which is really meaty & yummy, but huge steaks. Also had flathead tails during our stay & I think DD likes these better, as they came in more child friendly goujon type strips. It’s just a shame these are not widely available over here, so will remain us our special treat when we visit.

I have given a lot of consideration to my budget. DD is currently growing almost visibly every day & doesn’t stop eating; definitely needs as much food as an adult, so basically I am now catering for 2 adults. I am trying to only buy ‘happy’ eggs & chickens, British pork, sustainable fish etc. And we are both carnivores, so meat or fish for most dinners. So my choices are not as cheap as it could be done.

Since starting the GC a year ago I have slashed my grocery spend from over £300pm; can’t now imagine how I possibly managed to spend that much, as my cupboards, fridge & freezer are absolutely bulging with food on less than half of that.

I have always included cleaning stuff & toiletries in the GC, as I buy these in the supermarket & they don’t come to a significant amount to warrant a separate budget. So taking all of the factors into account I have decided on a monthly budget, at least for now, of £150 per calendar month (£35 pw x 52 = £1820 / 12 = £151.67).

Please put me down for £150 for September.

I have already spent £75.70 of this, which is fine. I usually spend about half the budget on the first shop of the month for non-perishables, basics etc. And I also managed to get a few whoopsies including a half price British pork leg joint, half price organic British lamb chops, sea bass & cod filets.

Have printed off my meat/fish inventory. As this is a long weekend, I will do some batch cooking & am looking forward to spending some time with my cook books deciding what to do based on the meat & fish I have in.

turbo5019

Thanks CW18 I didn't think I could but I thought I would ask.

helen_jelly

Just updating siggy

Kerfuffle - Hi
Helen x

helen_jelly

Evening all

We've spent some more over the last couple of days but have full cupboards and should just need milk to get us through till Friday.

MrsM could you put me down for £290 for September please thank you

DD, DS and DH are all back at school from Monday 7th so spending should go down to a certain degree but as this will be my second proper month of doing the GC I'm only reducing by £10 until I get a proper feel for it.

Will declare my August total on Thursday night

Helen x

Herewegoagain

turbo5019 wrote: »

I've just done a list of my freezer OMG I didn't realise how much meat I had going to try and just eat from the freezer as much as I can.

Just one question I have loads of cooked frozen roast chicken if I was to make a chicken pie with it can it be refrozen or not?

The rule as I know it is freeze once uncooked and once cooked, and I stick with that HTH

HWGA xx

**Upsy_Daisy**

Can I join your September challenge please?.

I have been monitoring my expenditure on food throughout August and I am extremely embarrassed to admit that in August (so far) I have spent £820 on food shopping - this includes toiletries but not nappies.
One of my weaknesses is for "bargains" - multi buy offers etc and I think I need to knock that over the head, I also buy far (and drink) far too much wine but apart from that I don't know where it has gone!
We don't buy takeaways at all and we haven't eaten out at all except for buying the children a hapy meal each at Macdonalds last Sunday.
I am owed a free lunch from Boots before the end of August so when I go into town on Friday to buy new school shoes for DS I will probably pick that up.
I am thinking about what sort of limit I should have and will aim for £500 to start with but would like to reduce that in over the coming months.
I'm going to look through some of the recipes now and start menu planning for September - I think that may be a useful starting point, as well as writing a shopping list and sticking to it.
Here goes....

ktpie

Morning everyone, last day of August for me today, planning a trip to the supermarket but going to try and stick to just getting some booze for DH with the remaining £28 from August's budget, plan is that it will do him through September. Will be back later to update with August's final figures.

MadamMim2013

Helloooooo everyone!!

I'm finally back after an agonising wait for my internet connection (actually been too busy to use a computer!)
I've missed you all in here
Our move went really well and we've settled in well, our eating habits have already improved due to there being no shops (nearest 4 miles away) and no takeaway deliveries here!! (much to DH's disgust) so things have to be planned.

I have gone over budget at around £260 this month but with that said I'm just happy we managed to get in quickly and in one piece!;)

Mrs M can you put me down for £250 in Sept Please

I promise i'll be good and come in under budget this time...:A