Storecuboard Challenge - New for June!

annie-c

Hello everyone

I've tried a few times to join in the Storecupboard Challenges that have been started throughout the year - with varying amounts of success...

Last month I managed to use up a lot of joints etc from the freezer and make meals to freeze to use up on worknights when I didn't much feel like cooking. Now my freezer is reasonably stocked, but not stuffed to the limit with excessive amounts of anything. So that's a bit of progress! :T

So far, so good..... but up til now, I haven't really tried the challenge in a structured way, I've only done it by rummaging in the freezer on a day to day basis and making 'pot-luck' suppers as I've gone along. And although I've tried to be careful about spending, I haven't really managed to live very well on what's already in stock - despite my good intentions, I've ended up in the supermarket nearly every week, each time buying less than usual, but more than I really need.

I know I'm still only a 'learner' of Old Style ways, but this month I want to stretch myself a bit. I'm not going to set a tight budget - I don't really 'need' to and I only make myself feel like a failure when I give into temptation. But what I'm going to do is allow myself a set amount for food/cleaning stuff in cash each week and then put anything I 'save' into a piggy bank to add to my savings for my summer holiday. :beer:

I want to get into a routine of eating more healthily and wasting less, so I'm planning to make an inventory today of EVERYTHING in the cubboards and fridge/freezer, and I'm then I'm going to make a complete meal plan for the week ahead, relying as far as possible on what's already in stock. I'll start a week at a time, for now, and maybe try planning a month ahead later on....

I'm only going to carry cash, no cards, when I go shopping and hopefully I'm going to spend a little time thinking ahead every day, so that I don't end up in work with no lunch, or arriving home in the evening so hungry that I feel 'desperate' for a take-away.

If I make a decent 'savings' pot then I'd like to bring home something nice for the house as a souvenir of my holiday -something a bit nicer and longer-lasting than a few take-aways or ready cooked dinners!! :rolleyes:

Would anyone like to join me - obviously you'd need to set your own 'rules' for the month depending on your circumstances?

Would love to share tips and encouragement with other Oldstylers!!

Annie

annie-c

:A

Yum, it's going well so far... but then, starting off new projects is never a problem; it's sticking to new routines that's a problem for me!

In any case, my stock-take is done and I have a list of every food item in stock pinned to the kitchen wall. :T

I made a delicious risotto for tea, using:

• arborio rice (bought ages ago on a whim, but never used);
• veg stock (came free in a goody bag ages ago);
• 1/2 punnet of mushrooms (bought with nothing particular in mind and just about to 'turn')
• onion, garlic and seasoning (always in stock anyway)
• freshly grated parmesan (the last bit stuck in the back of the fridge...)

And if I may say so myself, it was delicious! Would have paid for it in a restaurant!

I'll have to get my thinking cap on now and make my meal plan for the next week - up to and including next Friday I think, as Saturdays are my usual shopping day.

Come on somebody, please join in and support me!!!


:j <--- A very happy Annie

rubytuesday

Lunch today pitta bread pizzas using pitta bread from fridge going a bit dry, cottage cheese tomatoes and grated cheese on top.Dinner will use up jar of pesto and pasta. Few squares of chocolate daughter brought back from France for pud.

luckylukey

I'm up for this challenge! Tonight I am having lemon cous cous (from cupboard) and left over chicken from yesterday. Am going to menu plan for next week and any money that I have left , am going to buy some seeds for my garden!

annie-c

Yay - I have two storecupboard buddies!!

Anyone else want to join us? If I can work it out I am going to add a signature to keep check of how much I 'save'....

annie-c

Hurrah - I have my first ever signature!

sophiesmum_2

Hi
Just finished storecupboard challenge for May, managed to spend total of £17.73 for the whole month by using up stuff in freezer and cupboards etc. I saved about £380 :eek: on usual shopping which has gone towards holiday spends.:T
I will be away for 2 weeks in June (Malta) but reckon I will have enough stuff left to do rest of month out of stores with just minimal spends.
Count me in.
After this month I want to work on keeping shopping budget really low (Myself,DH and DD15).

Breakfast HM yoghurt with tinned fruit
Lunch tuna salad HM bread
Dinner chicken casserole,using up ends of packets of frozen veg,red lentils and brown rice,half onion,and some diced chick from freezer.Just chucked in slowcooker this morning.:D

endemoniada_2

I've got a few tins of mackeral and some frozen smoked cod.
DD loves fish and rice ( add in frozen sweetcorn and peas) - so we can ahve that oce a week,
Another one is pasta and pesto.
I go to my mam's for tea about 2 or 3 times a week ( good money saving there, lol)
Determined to stick to this....

biglass

Yep,I'm in!! Trouble is I've a fussy OH who would turn his nose up at lovely storecupboard meal I made tonight for me and DD(he's away overnight)-we had tagliatelle with butter, leftover elmlea cream,parmesan, black pepper and -wait for it-some truffle oil I bought ages ago and didn't know what to do with it!! Lovely! We're off to a "bit of a do" this weekend so leaving 3 kids with granny and when oldest DD invited boyfriend round for tea tomorrow I normally would dash to supermarket to buy "teenage" food but I thought sod this and have made mince(from freezer)and mash and leaving a crumble from some apples withering in fruitbowl with some very frosty frozen blueberries-and it looks great!!Tin of custard in cupboard and voila!! They can like or lump it!:D Our food bills are shocking,so I've joined the grocery challenge too.Good luck and keep ideas coming! Any ideas what to do with unadventurous OH?;)

catznine

Count me in! Away for first week but seriously need to save some pennies when I get back. 101 ways with tinned tuna anyone!

endemoniada_2

In fact, I'm away for most weeknights for next 3 weeks.
Mega money saving for me!!! Will save on food and elec/gas/phone etc
Company give me £15 for food and £5 for drinks a night.
Just need to make sure I don't overcompensate at the weekends with DD - I used to buy her toys when I had to go away for some time. This time, i'll spend quality time with her at the weekends