Store cupboard challenge

irishwexford

I will go for this one as I have lots of things lurking in cupboards at present and will not buy any more food until freezers and cupboards are empty. Sundays dinner cost 55p. Two turkey steaks (from OH staff sales shop), carrotts, onions, leeks, cabbage and potatoes from allotment. Mondays dinner was cauli cheese from freezer (made when we had a glut of caulies). Now have a flut of tomatoes so eating lots of salads.

angelatgraceland

I won't post my list because it would take me all night to type-there really is that much! This is because all of my shopping(well almost)is either specials or bogofs-I buy it when the price is right. Tonight I wanted to use up some mince and a packet of puff pastry that I had "fancied".
I cooked the mince and made a chilli in my slowcooker-there will be enough to freeze for 4 portions plus we have eaten 4 portions. Was in a bit of a rush so didnt want to take a lot of time on the veg. Used up 2 tins of potatoes and boiled some sliced grean beans(frozen ones). Rolled out the pastry and cut into 8 pieces and baked. Served the pastry on top of the chilli like a pie(as I have had in restaurants lately)much easier than making a pie and less pastry too eat as I only like a little. So it was chilli con carne without the rice tonight for a change and everyone loved it.
Chilli was made with 3 stock cubes
1kg tesco value mince
1 cup soya mince
1 tin chopped toms
1 tin plum toms
3 dried homegrown chillis
1 tsp chilli powder
about 1pint of water(maybe more)
6 mushrooms
1 pepper(homegrown)
1 cup lentils
2 cups porridge oats(on the last half hour)

Cost approx £3.20 with the beans and potatoes. Enough chilli mince for 8 and enough veg for 5

gingernutbizkit

Hi all,

I have been reading with enthusiasm the different challenges that happen on these boards and decided to start one of my own.

We are seriously broke at the moment due to a mixture of things and have been selling things on ebay etc. Then yesterday I noticed my biggest asset to save some money at the moment.........

My STORECUPBOARD is packed, as is my FREEZER!!!

So I was thinking how long could I make the food in my house last? I would need to add some fresh to it and so thought I would add £10 each for me, my wife, whichever two foster children are living with us at the time and our dog (I don't think our goldfish really merit £10 each!!!).

Plus, to make life a bit more complicated I'm currently on a calorie controlled diet (or should I say trying to stay on one:D ) and so the food we eat will need to be healthy.

So, that's my challenge - to see how long I can last with £50 and eating what's already in the house. My prediction is 40 days which will be a miracle because I reckon we normally would spend £300 in that time (she says slightly embarased )

Anyone want to join me or can offer me some tips?????

Ging x

Beki

We're doing exactly the same at the moment! It's going relatively well - we're just buying the weekly essentials; milk, dog food, nappies etc

Good luck! It's definitely do-able

lynzpower

have you got a mealplan sorted yet OP?

I am hoping to stick to a budget this week :A must keep trying !

gingernutbizkit

Yea! 2 responses already - thanks for the support guys x

I was just thinking that a meal plan would probably be a good idea. At the moment though I think I will do it one day at a time - with a focus on using whatever food is about to go out of date

So here goes.......

Day 1 plan.

B: Already missed that which is great for money saving but not so good for my metabolism!

L: Banana sandwich to use up the manky banana left in the bowl.

Just me tonight so having one of the ready meals from the freezer - curry and rice with naan - yum

P: Tesco jam roly poly with custard

Off to see if I have any calories left for anything else :rotfl: and also to look for some recipes before all the 'nice' things have gone.

Ging x

princesstippytoes

I too have a freezer packed to the gills at the moment. Why don't you join the storecupboard challenge thread? Good luck.

princesstippytoes

Here's the link. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=20967&highlight=store+cupboard+challenge

falady

Hiya,

I'm in on this one! our food budget is pretty small for this month once i have taken meat and veg into account, but we have a packed freezer and cupboards.

Will post more later when at home...

Ali x

Pink.

Hi gingernutbizkit,

I've added your thread to the current storecupboard challenge thread as it helps to keep the suggestions and replies together.

Good luck!

Pink