Store cupboard challenge

slm6002

great thread. I have been going through my freezer and using odd bits up for the past month or so and am getting somewhere. Hoping to start weight watchers tomorrow so not sure what i will be eating for a while. currently trying for £30 per week for the 4 of us

irishwexford

I cooked a turkey last week, a freeby from last Christmas. I need to defrost freezer so trying to use up food. I still have a large joint of beef from last Christmas to do. Trouble is when I cook cook these I end up with lots of bits for curries, cottage pies etc. I have loads of fruit and veggies from allotment which I am getting through. Our shopping bill has been about £20 each week (or less) lately.

JoKay_2

Thanks for this thread Nuala, I'll be watching with interest...

I started to do a similar thing only last week - like many others on here, I only ever seemed to be adding things to my freezers, and rarely taking anything out!!

Good luck!!

[Deleted User]

That's it, no more stuff going into my freezer until I have got it emptied out completely .I have two large drawers that I bought back in the summer to replace the ones in there as they had broken fronts, and they are still sitting in my cupboard under the stairs still in their wrappings.Can't replace the drawers until the freezer has been defrosted so I have put a complete ban on frozen stuff now until its been defrosted.It seems to take ages but slowly it will go I am hoping it will be done just before Christmas so I can refill from whoopsied stuff on Christmas eve from the shops .Forward planning is my idea. Tonight I am having something with potato's and broccolli.I say something as I have just dug out what I think maybe meat, but its so wrapped up I have forgotten what it is , I'll let you know tomorrow what it is.So 'Suprise' dinner for me tonight.
Just off to list the rest of my freezer stuff and renew my list on the front of the freezer.I type it up on a word document then print it off and stick on the freezer at least once a month. I know there is a bag of fish in the bottom drawer of the freezer and I'm leaving that till last

remmie

I have been reading this thread with interest, and have decided that unless I do something drastic Christmas will be cancelled this year due to lack of space in my freezer and cupboards.
I dont think we (DH & I ) will be able to live out of them until then (small 2 drawer freezer), but will see how long we can last.
Btw, Nuala, my weakness if for Branston baked beans, which have been on offer recently, so preparing for a windy time!!!

DebsDD

We had a power cut in our house whilst we were away a few months ago, power was off long enough for freezer to defrost so did an inventory then. Wasn't sure if food would be OK being frozen having thawed but we didn't get food poisoning so it must have been OK! Used list to make sure we ate what was in there when it defrosted first! Having done a big shop yesterday am very impressed with coping on a fiver for a week!

My main problem is we have my step son 50% of the time and his brother about 1 weekend in 4 and occasional days in between. The one we have 50% of the time (10 next month) is soooo fussy. Does not eat veg at all as never been made to, never wants to eat, is never hungry and doesn't like trying new stuff. We then end up giving him the same food each week which isn't particularly healthy or cheap! Weird child, doesn't like chocolate, pizza or ice cream! Won't eat pasta or rice, wants chips (with lots of ketchup) with everything. Any suggestions would be great so we can join in this challenge.

thanks

DebsDD

Nuala, you must have loads of cupboard space to fit that lot in, no wonder you need a sort out, I am sure you will get loads of suggestions for some great meals with such variety in stock.

Nancy888

Well so much for 'going-to-Asda-and-aiming-to-spend-less-than-a-tenner-and-the-'change'-going-in-my-sealed-pot'

I spent £18 :eek: but that included cat food (sorry fellow OS-ers: I fell at the first hurdle) This included BOGOF sausage rolls that will come in for pack-up and a few yogurts (also for pack-up)

BUT I have a meal plan for the rest of the week that will come out of the freezer and cupboards

Tonight: Salmon fillet and bombay potatoes
Tues: Mushroom risotto
Wed: Lentil dhal and onion bhajis (sp?)
Thurs: Chicken pie and mash
Fri: Falafel and pitta bread and salad

[goes away muttering 'I will be good, I will be good]

keza

I went to Tesco yesterday with a list of EXACTLY what i needed and how much it cost. was meant to come to £28 but instead came to £50.08! (this would be our big shop for the month btw)

i spose it isnt too shameful as we did get treats which we never do! and we have another 4 weeks shopping to do before payday with £50 but we have a bulk of what we need already in the cupboards/freezer!

we always live off the cup-boards and freezer for the last week/2 weeks of the month and just buy milk and meat for sandwiches for lunch!

Little_Vics

Keza - that is exactly why we do our tesco shopping online! No treats apart from tonic (for the gin in my cupboard - can't quite bring myself to drink it neat!) and ciggies for hubby, and they are both in the budget!